The Golden Gate-Emmigration Canyon

28" x 80" acrylic

This is the canyon just to the east of Salt Lake City through which the Mormon pioneers came. There is an interesting plaque near the bottom of the gap that says the Donner Party almost made through here but decided the mouth of the canyon was too difficult so they hauled their wagons up over the hill just to the right. Seems they were destined for difficulty. The Mormons were able to punch through the last portion in about four hours after which they encountered prairie grass so high they could hardly pass through, but it gave great grazing for their cattle.

Monsoon Weather

14" x 11" acrylic on masonite

For the past week we have been getting these wonderful thunderstorms coming up from the south. Each afternoon as the temperature rises the cumulus clouds build and the rain begins to fall but often evaporates before it hits the ground, called virga.