For Purple Mountain Majesties

Yesterday, I just had to get up into the mountains.  The Alpine Loop was calling me.  Although I am not much of a hiker nowadays, I still enjoy the beautiful views.  So, I got into the car, turned on some music, and drove the Loop all the while singing at the top of my voice. 

​Of course, I was listening to "The Spirit of America" by the  Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.  Those beautiful Patriotic anthems were just the soundtrack I wanted while looking out on the beautiful vistas and landscapes.  Magnificent waterfalls and babbling brooks are among my favorite views along this ride.  Just love passing Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon.  Beautiful!

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When you get up above the ski resorts and camping ares, the switch backs take you high enough to see a vast vista.  Sometimes I just have to get up high enough to get a better perspective of life.  Seeing God's creations in such grandeur certainly helps put my petty little problems back in their proper places.

Aspen trees are really very elegant.  I roll down the windows to hear their leaves rustle in the breeze.  They are called quaking aspens up here because of their unique sound.  The road is very narrow as you go over the summit.  Have to be very mindful of upcoming traffic.  Somewhere up here my parents carved their initials on a tree.  (Seems they were not the only ones.)

"O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!" 
​by Katharine Lee Bates 

Again, why isn't "America, the Beautiful" our national anthem?

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