Montana- Idaho- Utah

Well, a wrong turn in Yellowstone National Park actually turned out to be some highlights of the trip! We changed plans last minute and left the park out of the west gate and took a 2 day trip through Montana, Idaho, and Utah since we were flying out of Salt Lake City anyway.

Idaho Falls, Idaho

Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with the Olympic Games- summer and winter. The Winter Games in 2002 were held in Salt Lake City and our hotel was a block from where the ice skating rink was, and just past it was a really neat open air mall/Union Station/water fountain from the Olympics. This might have been Sydney's highlight (other than the flower girl skirt) and she loved getting soaked in the water. Every 30 minutes a musical montage of "Olympic themed music" would play coordinated with these amazing water shows. I won't lie, the mall was one of my highlights since it had been 8 days since I had done any shopping :). Overall I was very impressed with Salt Lake City and was a relaxing and fun way to top off a busy week!

I packed a dry set of clothes but after we ate and shopped she wanted "more water fountain" so she soaked her dry set too.

This is the Salt Lake Mormon Temple started by Joseph Smith in 1853. It was surrounded by 35 acres of amazing buildings and beautiful water features and flower beds. The granite rock used in its construction was hauled 23 miles by ox-drawn wagons and is the center of the Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints church complex.