Learning Curve

I'm trying to learn how to capture good photos of the new windows.

It's a learning curve, for sure.

Maybe a steep one.

The scaffolding is part of the problem, but that difficulty should go away soon.

I have, in all my trips to the temple, learned how to get good pictures along Center Street.

The city planters have been removed, as has the damaged sidewalk, which will be replaced in fine form.  A new right turn lane will assist drivers who want to turn onto University Avenue.

The LDS Church is working with Provo City planners to beautify this area.

I was delighted to not see the construction fence in this area this morning.

Two Reynolds workmen who are improving the grounds were responsible for its temporary disappearance.

Brick has now been placed above the sandstone on the north lot gate posts.

Because of the steam coming from these stacks, I've known for some time that the temple is heated.

However, special heat is necessary for the painters behind the white tarps who are working on the exterior trim.

This vent we saw earlier this week on the west side is for a heater to assist the painters.

My camera spied a similar vent on the south side.

There is evidence that a vent was in this window in the north gable wall, too.  The exterior painting is almost complete.

When the men in the white pants are finished, the scaffolding will come down.

It will be nice to see the east side again.

The pavilion is easy to see, at least the part above ground.  You might remember that much of the square footage for the pavilion is below ground.  Masons are placing quartzitic sandstone on the exterior of the underground walls as sheetrock and tile go in the interior.

The fountain will be 13 feet above ground.

I like to check on the driveway entrance from Second South.

Tubing for hot water which will melt snow and ice is being tied down.  This is exactly like the orange tubes in the roof of the temple, except completely different, since it's black, and heavier, and will be under concrete.

Work continues on the slate roof.  Beautiful copper flashing is being added.

I've learned how to zoom in.  But I'm hopeful that I might actually receive the Christmas present I want the most -- the scaffolding to come down.  Let's all try to imagine the temple without scaffolding.

I've learned how to take pictures of the south lot.

There will be a few parking spaces at this end of the temple grounds.  That's right, cars on the geofoam.

The waterproofing seems to be complete.  You know that a vast garage is below.  I learned that the underground entrance to the temple on this south side now has its own Holiness To The Lord stone, complete with gold leaf.  I'm told it's very beautiful.  The entire south wall of the temple at the lower level is being faced with quartzitic sandstone.

Meanwhile, work continues in this west garden area.

Perhaps you have noticed via the construction cam the blocks of dirty geofoam which suddenly appeared last week.

They came from the west lot.  It was necessary to initially put them in place here so supplies and geofoam could be delivered.  Now that the west lot is nearing completion, it is time to build stairs and a handicapped access in this area.  Footings are now being formed on top of the waterproofed area, and then the geofoam will return.

This recent photo from Yuki Dorff shows the west lot before the forms were placed.

Underground, beneath the two beautiful planters on the north side, is a large annex which houses dressing rooms.  These rooms are now all sheetrocked, wood trim is in place, and painting has begun.

Windows.  I want to revisit the windows. All the exterior windows have now been delivered to the temple except for the four large windows which will go in each gable wall.  They are coming soon.  A crew from Kansas City is installing all of these exterior window assemblies.  All of the upper level windows have been installed, except the four missing gable windows, and most of the tower windows are in place.  However, getting good pictures of these windows has been a challenge.

There are several windows in view on the northeast tower, but we really can't see any of them.

The scaffolding is blocking our view of the windows on the other side of the northeast tower.

These windows were visible at the top of the tower.

This particular window is on the south side of the northeast tower.  The abstract flame on the torch is clearly visible.  The colors are stunning.  The frames were all painted before delivery.

These elongated windows are on the second level of the towers.

These windows with a flatter arch at the top are at ground level in all the towers, and all seem to be in place now.

Workmen are building stairs at all the former entrances at each tower.  These will become emergency exits.

The upper windows are missing from the two west towers.  This is the northwest tower.

We will be able to watch these go in from the cam.  The stainless steel flashing won't be visible much longer.

I was able to capture good photos of the windows on the west side of this tower.  Maybe next time I'll arrive before the sun does and see if that helps.

The abstract flower at the base, above the shield, is clearly visible, as are the beautiful colors of the torch.

The sun was quite high by the time I reached the southeast tower, and I struggled here.

All the windows are in the two east towers.

These windows are easily visible from University Avenue.

The real challenge is seeing the windows in the southwest tower.

The niches are a stunning contrast to the windows.

I actually started out the day counting the windows.

I completely lost track.

I had to back way up on the Nu Skin steps to capture this window.

I love to visit the temple in the morning light. 

But I'm not sure this is the best light to see the windows.

Once the temple is complete, visitors will easily be able to see these from the grounds.

In the meantime, we'll have to be satisfied with what my zoom lens can do.

These gable wall windows are narrower than the windows along the north and south faces, such as the one in the photo above.

All the windows are beautiful.

These windows, at the top of the towers, are my favorites.

I will never tire of taking pictures of Moroni.