Religion – RDZ Photography

Virtual Travel – Utah

Architecture, History, Nature, Transportation

Welcome to Utah – the land of immense beauty and strange liquor laws.

We spent a week touring the National Parks in 2015 – they are all amazing, as well as the other scenery in the state.

History

1945 2002 2013

Salt Lake City – The capital and largest city in Utah, Salt Lake City is the center of the commercial aspect of the state.

The State Capitol is your typical building. It was completed in 1916, 20 years after Utah became a state. (photos from Wikupedia)

State Symbols

The State Bird is a California Gull! They are credited with saving the crops in 1848 by eating the crickets that were eating the crops. (photos from statesymbols.org)

State Cooking Pot – Dutch Oven

Golden Spike – The point where the Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869.

2015 09 14 30 Golden Spike National Historic Site UT

2015 09 14 38 Golden Spike National Historic Site UT

2015 09 14 45 Golden Spike National Historic Site UT

2015 09 14 52 Golden Spike National Historic Site UT

2015 09 14 55 Golden Spike National Historic Site UT

2015 09 14 111 Golden Spike National Historic Site UT

Hovenweep – A well maintained early Puebloan village in far southeastern Utah.

2015 09 18 74 Hovenweep National Monument UT

2015 09 18 76 Hovenweep National Monument UT

2015 09 18 78 Hovenweep National Monument UT

2015 09 18 79 Hovenweep National Monument UT

2015 09 18 84 Hovenweep National Monument UT

2015 09 18 88 Hovenweep National Monument UT

2015 09 18 90 Hovenweep National Monument UT

2015 09 18 109 Hovenweep National Monument UT

2015 09 18 106 Hovenweep National Monument UT

National Parks

1953 – Arches 1958 – Bryce 1963 Zion – Virgin River 1967 – Canyonlands – Angel Arch 1972 – Zion 1974 – Canyonlands Angel Arch 1979 – Bryce – Aqua Canyon 1995 – Bryce 2011 – Canyonlands

Zion National Park

Bryce National Park

Capital Reef National Park

2015 09 16 222 Capital Reef National Park UT

2015 09 16 225 Capital Reef National Park UT

2015 09 16 232 Capital Reef National Park UT

2015 09 16 239 Capital Reef National Park UT

2015 09 16 245 Capital Reef National Park UT

Arches National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Natural Bridges National Monument (one step down from a National Park)

2015 09 18 6 Natural Bridges National Monument UT

2015 09 18 8 Natural Bridges National Monument UT

2015 09 18 13 Natural Bridges National Monument UT

2015 09 18 16 Natural Bridges National Monument UT

2015 09 18 19 Natural Bridges National Monument UT

2015 09 18 23 Natural Bridges National Monument UT

2015 09 18 24 Natural Bridges National Monument UT

2015 09 18 31 Natural Bridges National Monument UT

More Outdoors

1964 – Big Cottonwood Canyon 1965 – Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge 1970 Calf Creek Lower Falls 1971 – Monument Valley 1977 Manti-La Sal Forest 1986 – Eagle Canyon 2000 – Unidentified 2007 – Dirt Devil River Slot Canyon

Southwest Utah

Escalante & Devil’s Garden

Eastern Utah

Mexican Hat in Far Southeastern Utah. The great dirt road is Moki Dugway, dropping 1100′ in 3 miles of a dirt road. It was fantastic!

San Antonio – May 2019 – The Missions

Architecture, Art, History

There are 5 Spanish frontier missions in San Antonio, four of which make up the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The fifth is the Alamo.

We were able to visit two of the missions on our day in the city. Up first is the Mission San Jose.

The mission was founded in 1720, with work on the current buildings beginning in 1768 and completing in 1782.

The community’s life was fully supported within the walls of the mission, including this oven.

There are many homes contained along the perimeter walls.

Massive stone arches frame walkways near the church.

Mission San Jose has had more restoration than the others in the area, resulting in a more ornate interior.

The south wall of the church features the ‘Rose Window’. This window is considered one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in North America.

There is evidence of the earlier exteriors on one of the walls.

The main gate to the compound.

The church is holding up remarkably well for being 250 + years old.

Additional views of the Mission San Jose.

Just a few miles away is Mission Concepcion.

This mission dates from essentially the same time as Mission San Jose, however the grounds are much smaller.

Some restoration has occurred here as well.

Mission Concepcion is known for the fresco’s on the interior and exterior of the building.

The interior of the church is not as ornate as Mission San Jose, but elegant in it’s simplicity.

The missions we were able to visit in San Antonio are national treasures. We look forward to a return trip to the area to check out the others we missed.

Cleveland – November 2018 – Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Art, Festival, History

In Mexican culture the Day of the Dead is celebrated the first two days of November. This celebration honors the memory of those who have passed on.

Presented by the Cleveland Public Theater and Artistas Latinos Unios, Cleveland has had a Dia de Muertos for 14 years.

Most participants paint their faces.

While it might seem morbid, it is in fact a joyous occasion that is intended to dispel fear of death and embracing the cycle of life.

In Cleveland many non Latino people participated.

While most had face paintings, traditionally hand made clay skulls are also used.

The Cleveland Public Theater is housed in a former church. Inside they had a number of exhibits set up.

This young lady had one honoring her family.

As did this young lady. Note in the back numerous photos and offerings to her deceased family members. Throughout the church/theater and outside in the ‘pop up’ cemetery were a number of such altars (known in Spanish as ofrendas)

One of the event coordinators was ready.

It was a really cool event, with lots of great looks.

Stylish and macabre at the same time.

Finally it was time for the procession to begin…..

One of the bands lead the march.

Anyone who had signed up and was in ‘costume’ could participate.

Some clearly had spent more time putting together their look.

One of my favorites.

Many entire families participated.

This young lady had the face painting but the rest of her family wore the masks.

Happy skeletons!

The origins date back thousands of years and coincide with the annual harvest. It combined Aztec and Christian practices.

Today is has become so popular in the United States even places like Party City sell merchandise for the celebration, although these ladies clearly did better than going down the local Party City.

Not sure why, but it seems every Cleveland parade has a number of people on stilts. But what’s not to like in a 10′ skeleton lady coming down Detroit Avenue!