Almost!

Behind the scaffolding is a beautiful tower.

The men were working hard in a lot of wind this afternoon.

I walked along University Avenue trying to capture the best view.

Some views were better than others.

I had not realized the trim around the windows would be so detailed.

Or that Moroni would look taller.

A crane will show up tomorrow to remove the scaffolding.

In the meantime, new walks will be kept warm tonight.

Because Provo still has three more weeks of winter.

In Plain Sight

Yes, it's true!  The east side scaffolding came down late last week.

I'm told there is still a plan to use the upper construction entrance.  

This guy said he wasn't going to help.

There are beautiful things to see on the east side.

I have to work hard to not be overly partial to any one feature.

But put these two together...

And then add windows...

Even in an unfinished state, it's wonderful.

Technically, there is still some scaffolding on the steeple tower.  Not much longer, I am told.

Waterproofing is happening along the south side.

Last spring I was having a heart attack about the condition here.

This morning, I was smiling.  I'm pretty sure there are stairs under the concrete blanket, too.

I am a teeny bit concerned that the fountain is looking back at me.

But the pavilion, oh my, it's simply looking good.

My camera spied geofoam walls between the concrete fence posts along the right lower edge of this photo.  This is certainly all-purpose geofoam.

The south lot has undergone quite a transformation.

Just a year ago it was wide open.

Today, a lone welder leveled off piles above the underground wooden retaining walls.

It was 28 degrees.  My hands were cold, but I bet his weren't.

For the record, I really like all the new lamp posts.

Progress continues at the west corner entrance.  Masons are installing sandstone.  The handicapped ramp has been poured, but not the stairs.

Next year, if you happen to enter the grounds at this point, be sure to notice the crocuses planted in the nearby grass.  Actually, they are hard to miss.

Maybe some of us will use the ramp at Second South.

We  might even walk onto the temple grounds from Center Street, where the new sidewalk is now accessible.

However, there are not any actual entrances on the north side.

Even though there are now stairs.

After I left the site, I drove to one of Provo's historic homes, built at the same time the tabernacle was constructed.  This is the George Taylor House and it has a few Eastlake features.  In studying Eastlake architecture, I learned this particular home has a crosswing plan.  Notice the T-shape at the south side of the house, on the left.  

The original tabernacle was designed with this same type of crosswing architecture.

George was the son of an early pioneer who founded a popular furniture store. The store, named Taylor Brothers & Co., was on Center Street between Second and Third West.  This picture faces east along Center.  If you are wondering if you are actually seeing utility poles along the middle of Center Street, well, yes, you are.

George's son, Thomas, grew up to be a prominent businessman and church leader in Provo.  He built this house in 1904.  While Eastlake architecture was fading by the turn of the century, there are still some beautiful features, such as a fancy gable over the entrance.

The home also has a beautiful art glass window.

About the same time Thomas built his home, he directed the construction of the Third Ward Chapel, where he was the bishop.

There is another fancy gable.

The building is now owned by a school.  Notice the headless owl in the upper right opening.

It's purpose is to deter pigeons from enjoying the tower.

Towers and finials were in vogue at the turn of the century.

They still are.

Cornerstone, Lamp Posts, and the Ten Commandments

I happened upon a young man this morning risking life and limb in order to get a better look at the temple. 

Realizing I could take advantage of this situation, I handed him my camera.

He was delighted to help me out and was pleased at the view.

In the not too distant future, we will be strolling along these walks ourselves.

However, for today, we'll have to thank Sam Stapp for this new view.

For Sam's last photo, he aimed west to catch the line of fence posts.

With the camera back in my hands, I took this picture from the end of the line.

Of course it was a beautiful morning, but only 32 degrees.  Sam was comfortable in his t-shirt.
I was comfortable in my coat and gloves.

Welders have been installing new fence panels along Center Street.  

Of course you've already noticed the fleur de lis pattern.

Workmen were very busy along the Center Street sidewalk.

The concrete circle at University Avenue and Center Street has been completed.

Paving stones are cut to fit with exactness.

My camera spied this trim delivery going in the upper east gable window opening.

Although the scaffolding is off the towers, the lift on this side is too valuable to dismantle just yet.

Lots of things go in.

I see a lot of stuff coming out, too.

Many deliveries happen through the west underground entrance.  I asked if the oxen had arrived.
They haven't been seen yet.

No deliveries are happening through the south driveway.

The Ten Commandments monument has been returned to the site.

The monument used to be at the corner of University and Center.  This picture was taken during the excavation of Provo's original tabernacle three years ago.

For 30 years, this monument had rested at Provo's Memorial Park, 8 blocks east, but it was moved to the center of town in 2003 and remained there until the fall of 2012.

The monument now stands back on the grounds, where it can watch the landscaping spring up around it.

Work on the grounds is moving at a rapid pace.

This view from the construction cam shows new forms for planters ready for concrete.

If you recall, the purpose of the sandbags is to hold the forms in place.  Anything else could pierce the waterproofing layer, which would be counterproductive.

Something similar is about to happen on the south side.  The red ladder is trying to get out of the way.

The southeast tower entrance had some interesting features which were visible this morning.

The stairway side walls support pots which contain conduit.  Ultimately, there will be lights on these stair walls.

Two openings are in the watercourse on each side of the stairway, which is currently in slip and slide form.

I suspect this one, on the right, will be for the cornerstone.

With the scaffolding removed, the niches and windows at the northeast tower entrance looked stunning in the morning sun.

I was delighted to see this new light post near the fountain.  It seems to be just the right height.

He brought some tall friends with him.  They are spreading rapidly over the south lot.

The concrete pump got up early this morning to pour the walkway around the pavilion.

This man put finishing touches on the wet cement.

These men worked hard to complete the installation of the copper gutters.  This is very delicate and tricky work.

The restoration of the temple has been massive and delicate at the same time.

And beautiful.

It is thrilling to see these features which were hidden for so long behind the scaffolding.

Although one of the most beautiful additions to the temple was never hidden.

In the "Very Good News" department, spring is coming.

Don't let the snow on the mountains fool you.