As if ice skating with the Jews (don't worry, I'm one of them) yesterday in warm Southern California was not enough, I'm now walking the grounds of the Mormon Church here in cold Salt Lake City while freezing my tuchus off! Kind of weird, actually, but truthfully every time I visit this town I get the heebie-jeebies. And not just light jeebies, either. I get the whole "I've gotta get outta here" feeling that sends me running back to my hotel room in short order. Where's the fun? The nightlife? The excitement? Hmmm. Sorry, but everything and everyone in this town just creeps me out. Is there even culture in Salt Lake? What do locals do for fun here? I'm waiting for lightning to strike me any minute. Thankfully the sky is clear.
What's interesting to note is there's virtually children everywhere. And not just one or two with their respective super-young parents, but literally five or six of them. I can't even handle two. Mom and dad must have started while they were children themselves! Furthermore, these little kids cannot be more than nine months apart in age! They all look like little cloned-blond robots with fair skin sporting buzz-cuts from a #2 electric razor. Anyway, I don't think the excitement meter ever pegs in this town, but I could be wrong.
It sort of messes with the mind when one day is spent waiting in line at Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, Oregon, and the next is spent here in ho-hum Mayberry, Utah. Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, I do not feel comfortable in this town, nor do I ever wish to move here in the next seventy years. Just my take on things. I guess Northern California has pulled me a little to the left after all these years. Now I know why I didn't get hired at SkyWest! But ironically my company was founded by David Neeleman, a Mormon himself!
Hmmm....
5 comments:
When you get the Chance, head up to Park City for some great skiing or hiking, depending on when you're there, or Red Cliffs Lodge wayyyy down in Moab, UT for amazing scenery in a great little hotel with an amazing restaurant right on the Colorado River. The lodge owns several horses that you can take out on rides or do a guided tour. I believe there are also several great hiking trails in the area. If that isn't enough for you, they have a winery as well. http://www.redcliffslodge.com/ check it out if you ever get some time. I was there as a kid and I LOVED it...totally makes up for Salt Lake City =P
-Matt
I know exactly what you are talking about! When we were still in the AF we had a SHORT stay in SLC. (I was there a week, hubby, 5 months) Oh yeah, it was a blast. We were near the Air Base, but decided 'oh lets go into the city and check it out'! We went on a Saturday...I counted 19 couples, that had just gotten hitched at the Temple. HUGE weddings, but they were KIDS! Not more than 18/19. It was freaky. Then there was a 'family' at the grocery store, I counted 3 wives and about 17 kids. It was GROSS!(full body shudder..) I can say I've been there, BUT don't care to go back. The mountains were nice...that's about it. Oh, and we ran into Tony Danza. That was funny, because he didn't look to comfy being there either..HA!
Holly-happy to be living back home in VT!!! :)
Yours is probably the most honest and accurate travelogue on Salt Lake every penned.
Ryan- Love the blog. I’m a transplanted New Yorker in SLC since the early 90’s. Non-Mormon. Married an Italian Catholic girl(from Utah) and have two kids. Like you, I don’t know how people handle more than two! Next time you are here you need to go a few blocks west to the Gateway. It’s a busy, nice outdoor shopping center with good restaurants and a upscale atmosphere. If you are going to hang around Temple Square you are going to get the young families(and they do start young) But I promise if you wander too close the most you will get is a warm smile and a friendly greeting. When I first moved here I was in the miniscule minority(Catholic and from NY) But things have changed. Where I am in South Jordan, we belong to a new parish 600 families strong. And if you look around you will find a wide range of other denominations and place of worship(Jewish Temples too!) There are some great Brew Pubs not too far from TS and if you head to Park City, the nightlife moves faster. So don’t be afraid. Give us a chance to grow on you!!I've been on JBL92 many times back to JFK to see family and friends and it is always a good experience. Love JetBlue. I just wish you guys had more flight options out of SLC.
Some of my descendants were part of those wagon trains that made the trek to salt lake back in the early 1800's. Never been there myself but quite sure I would get the heebie-jeebies as well.
Post a Comment