Most of the people that work in Park City can not afford to live there; so many workers commute from the communities of Heber (population 11,362) and Midway (population 4,923), which are located about 13 miles to the south in what is known as Heber Valley.
The Heber Valley Artisan Cheese and Kohler Creamery is located on the outskirts of Midway and the first stop if traveling south from Park City. Their web site states: "At Heber Valley Artisan Cheese our mission is to help others experience the difference of the farmer's touch. Our fully integrated dairy farm to creamery delivers a true farm-to-table experience. In fact, we believe the finest handcrafted cheeses, fresh or aged, begins with the perfect base premium milk pure, rich and creamy, a 'recipe' we've been perfecting on our farm for nearly 100 years." There are a lot of different types of cheese that you can sample and purchase in the showroom; but the ice cream line was way too long, so I just sampled the different types of cheese.
The Midway Geothermal Area has been recognized as an "interesting and unusual geologic feature" since it was discovered by early pioneers. Homestead Crater is a distinguishing landmark in the geothermal area because it is 55 feet tall and about 400 feet in diameter at its base. The dome is believed to be about 10,000 years old and is made of "trifa" or "travertine" that was formed by overflows of mineral rich water.
It has been theorized that water percolated into the ground and followed cracks in the earth to a depth of one-to-two miles. The heated water then returned to the surface and deposited the material known as "travertine" to form the crater cone. Water currently flows through cracks in the crater at a rate of about 135,000 gallon per day.
Water level in the crater is now stabilized at about 45 feet from the crater rim. The crater opening at the top has been screened to keep people and objects from falling into the crater from above, but there is a bridge over the crater hole so that visitors can look down into the crater. Steps to the top of the crater are steep and numerous. Water in the crater is 65 feet deep and there is about a 14-foot deep layer of silt on the crater floor. Excavations in the crater have discovered "thousands of coins, guns and other interesting artifacts."
In 1996 a 110 foot-long tunnel was excavated into the side of the crater cone to provide access to the water. The crater water is now a popular destination with scuba divers, snorkelers, and swimmers.
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| Photographer Unknown |
Since the 1800s local residents and miners have visited the area to soak in the 96 degree hot springs mineral water, seeking relief from their aches and pains. To accommodate out-of-town guest and world travelers, the Homestead Resort was built on the site and offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa, scuba lessons, tennis courts, golf course, horseback ridding, hiking trails, and a host of other outdoor activities. And, of course, in the winter the resort is only 13 miles from Park City, which has the largest ski area in the Unites States.
There is a nice monument in the Midway City Park, but I am not sure what it represents.
Located on Main Street is an abandoned gas station with some interesting exhibits.
I was informed that the facilities at Johnson Mill are currently being used as an addiction treatment center; so I just walked around the grounds, but did not go inside.
On the drive from Midway to Heber, Utah State Highway 113 passes by the Legacy Covered Bridge (GPS Coordinates: 40 30.440, -111 27.003) that spans the Provo River. The 120-feet long bridge is only open to pedestrians and cyclist.
Heber is best known as the home of Heber Valley Railroad. Over 110,000 people each year visit Heber to ride the scenic excursion train between Heber and Vivian Park, which is located in beautiful Provo Canyon. The Heber Valley Railroad was previously known as the "Heber Creeper" because the steam locomotive's maximum speed was 20 miles per hour.
As of 2018, the two 1907 Baldwin 2-8-0 Consolidation-type steam locomotives were both in the locomotive shop for their 1,472 day inspection and service. One of the steam engines is being converted from coal to oil burners and is projected to be back in service in 2020. However, in the interim, the railroad has four diesel-electric locomotives that can be used to pull passenger cars,
Located at Russ McDonald Field in Heber is the Commemorative (CAF) Utah Wing Museum. The museum is dedicated to "Honoring American Military Aviation through Flight, Exhibit and Remembrance" and contains historical items from WW II, Korean War, and Vietnam War.
When I stopped by the museum, it was closed; so I had to just take a few pictures through the fence. Also located at the airport was a car mounted on the side of a building that looked like Doc Hudson from the movie Cars.
Bridal Veil Falls received its name from an Indian Legend that tells of a young Indian maiden and an Indian Brave from a rival tribe that fell in love. Fearing her lover had been killed, the maiden leaped from the high ledges. According to the Legend, Mother Nature was touched by her death and made her a Bridal Veil of falling water.
BONUS PICTURE
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