SLC

This past summer (2012) I had the good fortune of my work sending me out to various states around the country.

As much as I have seen other parts of the world I lacked perspective on my very own country, something which I had mused about needing to remedy from time to time. When the opportunity to get to see it came, and on my company’s dime, I was stoked for the new experiences and insights to come.

First destination: Salt Lake City, Utah.

I was off to the land of the Mormons, hoping to have the added side effect of returning with four husbands in tote. As the plane descended on the Great Salt Lake, besides taking in the staggeringly striking scenery, my mind played out my brother husband fantasies....

First impression of the city I was pleasantly surprised at how pretty it was. It’s a small compact city set against an enormous mountain. The mountain gave off the  impression that I was in the Emerald City from the Wizard of Oz, not half bad.

An in flight recommendation had me off to Cafe Rio for some Mexican Food. I discovered this was a chain which I normally pass on, but after flying and driving I was hungry! This spot is a step up from Chipotle for sure, more hot options. My enchiladas weren't half bad, but I'm sure you could find more unique spots. Then again sometimes its hard to find more than burgers and diners in this and many parts of the country.

Just past SLC in the town of Riverton a sign caught my eye. Bombdiggitys is what it said (another noteworthy restaurant name witnessed: Guadalahonkey's), such a funny name, so I was curious. It's a fast food joint but their schtick is buffalo burgers not beef. I don't "DO" the whole beefy/buffaloy thing BUT I do "DO" the whole frozen custard thing. They lay it on ya full force with a overflowing treat that is the "frozen bomb"

For an inexpensive place to stay I hit up the Avenues Hostel, which was perfect for my needs, clean, friendly and cheap. Also about a 20 min walk from the main mamma temple.

Alcohol is a big issue here, it’s heavily regulated and until recently you needed a membership to even go into a bar. Beer that is sold is a weaker percentage unless it’s purchased in a state run liquor store which seem to never be open.

Work behind me, I was up for exploring this weird place. The hyper religion which is all around is something many people mentioned to me in passing, making it obviously significant to this town. Alternately, there is a scene that is the backlash to that. Punk and gay culture has a notably niche here. Disappointingly an attempted visit to a well recommended dyke bar the Paper Moon didn't work out. Neither did an attempt at hitting up a biker joint, I got stared down and basically ran out of there like I was fleeing the wolves.

Alternative coffee shops with shaved head girls strikingly contrast to the floral, conservatively dressed, mousy, make- up-less women around town. I usually try to respect my surroundings and in that spirit dressed slightly more conservative than is my normal taste. Yet I still felt like every person I passed was staring at me and generally judging me.

SLC is almost completely white. I think that may have helped my dark haired self stick out. As well as the fact I wasn't totting around 5 kids. I did as usual manage to find a few Mexican guys who had migrated out there for work.

Anyways, the vibe is the religious people see themselves as the good guys and everyone else is the bad. You can feel their scorn! I felt, for as pretty as this place was literally, I would not fair very well living here.

Of course, I had to tour the temple grounds (admittance into the actual main temple is not permitted by non members). There were tons of international tourists at this site as well as international docents. Honestly, this site was not to my taste, and I usually enjoy seeing places like this for the art. It left me walking away with a bad taste in my mouth.

After all that churchyness I needed to switch gears, I also wanted to get out of the city and see some nature around the lake. I chose to visit Antelope Island State Park on the Salt Lake about an hour outside the city. Great choice Cat. I do have the tendency towards feeling very emotionally moved by the landscape and this was no exception. The drive was beautiful and the island was just what I needed. I took a nice trek exploring the different sides of the island all of which were lovely. I got lucky and ended up seeing a whole damn heard of buffalo cross literally right in front of me. That’s some cool shit ladies and gentleman, some cool shit. Big beautiful majestic creatures and I could almost touch em’.