2008-06-17 Trip to Manti - Part 1 of 4

If you want to compare cameras, compare the photos we took with our 4.2 megapixel Kodak snapshot camera (next 10 photos) with Linda's Canon 8 megapixel digital SLR (the remaining photos).  If you look closely, you can see how it's the lenses and camera bells and whistles that make the difference, not the megapixels.

The road down to Manti was through the Wasatch Mountains.

On the two-lane into town we got our first glimpse of the temple in teh distance.


Here's a closer view.  Notice the banner stretched across the road.


The pageant is a big deal for these people and their surrounding communities for miles.  They're been presenting this free to the public for decades.  You can tell they have it down to a fine art.


LDS Temples usually sit on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside.


When we arrived at our hotel we noticed guests were already pigging-out on the traditional Turkey Bar-B-Que.


The temple is directly across the street from the hotel.


As we walked around we noticed a small craft fair nearby so we decided to go there.


It wasn't much but it was interesting.


Our hotel is called the Manti House Inn, an historic inn that's been converted to a B&B.


~~ Here begin the photos using Linda's Canon SLR camera ~~

We attached the wide angle lens and took some photos of the room.


The bathroom was fun.  There was a long tub on legs and a stand alone lavatory.  Everything was old fashioned looking.  Cool!


In this last view of our whole room, you can get the feel of the antique colors and decor.


There were books to read on the dresser.  My favorite was a journal or diary placed there for the guests.  More on that later.


Looking through the blinds revealed a great view of the temple on the hill across the street.


Here's what I mean by the reading material.  In one book was an excellent history of the place we stayed at.  That's why I keep calling it a hotel instead of a B&B.  It was a hotel originally.


And here's the guest journal I mentioned.  We enjoyed reading the entries.  There have been many newlyweds who stayed here.


Snacks were at the end of the hallway for just 50 cents each paid by the honor system.  Drinks for a dollar were in a small refrigerator behind the cabinet door to the left of the snack table.  These came in really handy late at night.  The management didn't miss a trick.


We had to sneek a peek at the bridal suite.  Here's the bedroom.


We entered the room like clandestine spies on a secret mission.  The bathroom was around the corner.  There was also a private staircase for private entry.



Here's the main staircase leading to our upstairs bedroom.  Downstairs was the kitchen, small gift shop, and two huge dining rooms for guests and banquets.


The main entrance is at the bottom of the staircase.


Of course the place is on the historic sights registery.


I went out near the street to take more photos of the hotel and the temple grounds across the street.


From the corner you can really see the majesty of this little place.  Wouldn't you love to own a home like this?


The decor on the outside matched the inside with all the antiques setting the tone.


An oversized gazebo is just the ticket for large wedding parties to have a nice reception outdoors.


My aunt was an antique dealer.  She once had an old bath tub like this one.


This is what caught my eye the most.  I love old buggies and in the desert I expect this one will be around quite a few years more.


A rock lined pond separated the old buggy from this monstrous rose bush.


Here's the pond.


Side streets looked almost barren waiting on the pageant crowds to appear.


As I stolled toward the temple down the flag-lined avenue, I noticed the statue of a familiar figure in the distance.


It's the angel Moroni (pronouced mow-ROW-nigh) carrying the gold plates.


Nearby, a plaque explained the angel's importance to the visitors.


Further on down the street I saw this pretty flower bed and plaque at the back side of the temple.  It may be hard to tell, but this is actually the back end of the temple.  The front end is slightly taller and faces east like most LDS temples, even though this one faces directly into the side of a cliff.


As the sun was going down, this photo presented itself.  Notice the east spire (on the right) is slightly taller.  The trees cover up the ground level.  From another vantage point later that day we could clearly see the cliff face at the east end.


By this time it was nightfall and street lights were coming on.


We captured one final photo of the temple before the pageant.


On the next page you'll see the crowds begin to gather.  You'll also see more of what this town looks like during the pageant.

Click HERE to go to Part 2 of 4