A Tour of Salt Lake City Before Heading Back Home

22 January 202020 September 2024

I had such an amazing ski vacation in Park City and was sad to be leaving Utah. Heading out early in the morning, I had a late afternoon flight which left me with a couple of hours to explore Salt Lake City.

It would have been the perfect weather for another day of skiing.

The scenery took on a whole new vantage point when driving through the base of the mountains. The height of the surrounding mountains shaded me from the brightness of the sun as I continued my journey towards Salt Lake City.

The winding roads added to the interesting dimension of our travels as I slithered quietly at the base of the mountains, careful of oncoming traffic.

As I approached the outskirts of Salt Lake and entered the city proper, I noticed that the view had a strong industrial foreshadow with the majestic mountains towering in the distance. The sun was out warming me up in the cold until I exited the car and felt the bitterness of the January freeze.

As I crossed over several railroad tracks and train stops, the city’s public transportation seemed to add to the industrial aura of the town. The environment seemed as cold as the weather as empty streets enhanced the feeling of driving through an abandoned town. I was curious to explore some of the area attractions, yet knew that I have a limited amount of time before driving to the airport.

On the western side of Salt Lake City was the Union Pacific Railroad Depot. It was built in the early 1900s and was once a working train station. The tracks serviced various train transportation companies up until 1999 when it was moved to the Salt Lake City International Hub. In 2006, the location reopened as an entertainment venue, called The Depot and was available for restaurants and office space. It is located at South Temple at 400 West one the western side of Salt Lake City.

It was not long until I decided to escape from the cold to see the city’s Grand America Hotel, one of the Salt Lake’s historic spas and hotels in the downtown area. The courtyard was absent of visitors as a thick layer of ice covers the water feature and had transformed the fountain into a frozen popsicle.

The gorgeous floral arrangement displayed the opulence and grandeur of the hotel.

The beautiful chandeliers hung magically from the ceiling providing a secondary light source to the sun’s natural brilliance from the outdoors.

Salt Lake City’s Courthouse was located at 450 South State Street. It is open from 8AM to 5PM Monday through Friday. For more information about the courthouse, contact their website at www,utcourts.gov.

The Salt Lake City and County Building was topped with a statue of Columbia. It rose over 250 feet from the ground. The statue of Justice stood in the foreground.

The Mormon Temple commands attention as one of the most sought out attractions in Salt Lake City, Sitting upon ten acres known as the Temple Square, the temple was open to the public on April 5^th, 1893. Its famous design has become an icon of the Mormon faith with its beautiful spires and symbolic statues.

Salt Lake City’s Mormon Temple is the largest in the United States (most square feet) and is located at 50 West North Temple Street. From the east side there is a spectacular view of the three towers with the Angel Moroni in the center.

It is obvious that the Mormon faith is a central figure to the city of Salt Lake. There is so much history about the settlement of Salt Lake City, the life of Joseph Smith and the founding of the Mormon religion.

Have you had the opportunity to spend time in Salt Lake City, Utah? What did you do? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my short visit to Salt Lake! Wishing you many Happy Travels!

A Statue of Joseph Smith outside of the Church of the Latter Day Saints/Mormon Temple.

The Angel Moroni acts as both the “messenger of the restoration of the gospel and a herald of the Second Coming.”

Another view of the fountain and courtyard

A view of the Courtyard and Fountain from inside on a higher level

A beautiful mural in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah

Ski Trip to Utah: Park City Mountain Resort

12 January 202020 September 2024

Another beautiful day to ski with overcast skis that will soon clear up for a sunny day. While I am a little sore from skiing yesterday, I am more excited to ski Park City Mountain Resort, which hosted the 2002 Olympic Games. I am also excited to meet up with a high school friend whose husband works at the resort and I am looking forward to meeting her two boys.

Leaving the house in Heber City, the view was absolutely spectacular. The snow-capped mountains with their bluish grey highlights seemed at eye’s level as we descended down into town towards the slopes.

This is four-wheel drive weather and we were setting out on steep terrain with lots of hills. The roads were cleared early this morning, so we managed to stay within the tracks of vehicles that had previously made their way down the mountain.

Several majestic homes were set into the side of the mountain where their large picture windows offered spectacular views of peaks which could have been seen for miles.

As we continued on towards Park City, we passed a large lake that had frozen over for the winter. The stillness and solitude of the scenery was soothing as we prepared for another full day of skiing.

We entered the park, picked up our skis and headed towards the slopes. I decided only to ski for a couple of hours, realizing how sore I was from the previous day. My muscles needed a little rest since we were planning on sledding event later that the evening.

Park City Mountain Resort is about a half an hour, 45 minutes from Salt Lake City. The resort opened in 1963 under the name “Treasure Mountain” as it was once an active mining town.

There are shops and restaurants where we rented our skis and a skating rink in the center. We arrived early so it felt as if we had the park all to ourselves. The sun was out as we took a seat on one of the benches to put on our boots.

There are over 3,000 acres of skiing with sixteen chairlifts. It was exciting to think that there were several events that took place in this very spot during the 2002 Olympic Games. Park City Mountain Resort hosted the giant slalom events as well as the snowboarding competition.

I managed to ski the beginner slopes (blue circles) a couple of times to warm up. While skiing, there were other beginners as well as snowboarders, but I knew if I was going to ski the green slopes today, I would need to do it earlier in the day when I was not as tired.

Making my way to the end of the slope, I imagined what it would have been like to have close to 100,000 spectators for the Olympic Games. I am most certain that none of the events were using the blues and greens that I’m skiing, but nonetheless, it was fascinating to think that the best talent in skiing and snowboarding were once here competing.

After skiing the morning hours, I made it to the bottom of my last run and I was ready for lunch. With over 314 trails here at Park City Mountain Resort, I skied only four. I had a few minutes to check out the shops to see if I could find a hat or souvenir of my trip before making my way to the restaurant.

The restaurant was lovely with outdoor seating where we could catch up over a glass of wine. Surrounded by mountains and ski lifts, this picturesque scene also included large bear statues.

After lunch, I joined Dawn’s son for a ride on the alpine roller coaster. Bodi competes on a ski team and is quite talented, ranking high in the polls. He has a great future ahead of him should he choose to continue in his training.

I hated to leave Dawn and the boys but it was time to take the shuttle to a neighboring slope to prepare for our evening of tubing and sledding. I look forward to hearing about Bodi’s success and skiing and hope to visit Park City again.

Where is your favorite place to ski? Have you been to Park City Mountain Resort? I would love to hear about your experience, so leave your comments below! Happy Travels!

Park City Mountain Resort is located at 1345 Lowell Avenue, Park City, Utah 84060. During the ski season, the slopes and ski lifts are open from 9AM to 4PM. Some of the trails are open later for night skiing. For more information about the resort, ski lift tickets and rentals, ski instruction, etc., visit their website at www.parkcitymountain.com.

My friend, Dawn, and her two boys

The Amazing View of Park City from the Slopes

Painted Moose on Skis

Yellowstone National Park: Where the Buffalo Roam

22 September 201817 September 2024

Early afternoon, I left Mammoth Hot Springs to drive towards Hayden Valley. The valley, known for its abundance of wildlife, is most popular during the spring and fall seasons. I was looking forward to taking in the surrounding landscape and hoping to see some amazing animals on my drive.

Quickly into my road trip, I caught my first glimpse of a herd of bison. Stretching for miles, I was impressed with their large number. With stocky bodies and thick fur, I was amazed at how beautiful they were. Attempting to cross the road, they seemed to know that they had the right of way and took charge when trying to do so.

I was thrilled to watch the calves chasing after their mothers. The herd was moving slowly on each side of the road until they decided to cross, seeming a little hesitant and looking both ways.

Bison Stopping Traffic in Yellowstone’s Hayden Valley

Herds of Bison at Yellowstone National Park

A Bison Calf Among the Herd, Yellowstone

Sightings of Bison in Yellowstone National Park’s Hayden Valley

Along the roadway, the river appeared at random intervals. Slowing down at the bends and curves, I was hoping for the chance to catch a glimpse of a bear or wolf, which make this valley their home. Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be found, but I was more than happy seeing all of the bison in Hayden Valley.

I was so close to the Montana border when I decided to drive a small portion of the Beartooth Highway, entering Gallatin National Forest.

Glimpses of snow appeared along the shadowed crevices on the mountainside.

My first pronghorn antelope sighting!

An Elk Bull at Yellowstone

I hadn’t ventured too far along the Beartooth, knowing that I needed to make it to Grand Teton National Park, but I was happy that I stepped over the state line to explore more of this gorgeous scenery.

What animals did you spot while vacationing at Yellowstone? Is there another US National Park that you recommend for wildlife sightings? I would love to hear your recommendations or about your experience vacationing at Yellowstone if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading my travel blog on Yellowstone and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7381

Admission Fee: Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry. Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle: $30 and Hiker/Biker: $20 which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc. An annual Pass for Yellowstone National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Yellowstone National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass which allows access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a cost of $80 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. Check out their website for more information: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
Hours: Open daily, 24 hours; Refer to the Yellowstone National Park website for the operating hours of the Visitor Centers.
Amenities: camping, hiking, boating, skiing, biking, bird watching, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding and llama packing, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
Scenic View: Take in the view of Grand Prismatic Spring from the Overlook off of the Fairy Falls Trailhead. For the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, you can see this beautiful waterfall from several locations offering different views of the falls: Brink of Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Uncle Tom’s Trail and Artist Point. Check out the stadium seating at Old Faithful for a front row seat of this geyser that erupts every 35 to 120 minutes. The park’s Twitter account, @GeyserNPS, the Geyser Activity Page on their website or the Geyser App lists the predicted times for Old Faithful.
Length of Visit: Three days is recommended to see all of the attractions at Yellowstone.
Tips for Your Visit: The park is open year around, but winter time can be a challenging during snow and ice. If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate. Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies. When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park. For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances. Summer is the busiest time for the park you may find road construction and traffic.

Where to Stay:

I was fortunate enough to stay at one of the lodges at Yellowstone. I absolutely loved staying at the park and have Melba Coleman to thank for assisting me in my reservation.

Where to Eat:

Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Yellowstone Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7311

For a light lunch, I ordered the charcuterie plate which included meats, cheeses, olives, walnuts and whole grain crackers. It was the perfect location to enjoy the park sitting by a large viewing window, mesmerized by the spectacular view.

What to Eat:

Bison Burgers
Buffalo Steak
Chicken Fried Steak
Chuck Wagon-Style Dinners which usually include hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, baked beans and corn bread
Cowboy Cookies: cookies made with brown sugar, cinnamon, oats, chocolate and nuts
Elk Steak
Fry Bread is similar to puff pastry and is the base for taco salads.
Jerky
Morels
Old Fashioned Soda
Pig Candy: Applewood smoked bacon covered in brown sugar and spices
Prime Rib
Rocky Mountain Oysters: deep-fried calf testicles
Soda Bread: Discovered by American Indians, this bread is made from a mixture of flour and soda (naturally found in wood ashes) creating a quick-rising bread
Trout
Wyomatoes are a type of tomato found in Wyoming. Known for their sweet taste, they are unlike any other varietal
Wyoming Whiskey

What to Read:

The Stories of Yellowstone, by Mark M. Miller
Mountain Spirit, by Lawrence L. Loendorf
Decade of the Wolf, by Douglas Smith
Bring Jade Home, by Michelle Caffrey
Letters from Yellowstone, by Diane Smith
Yellowstone Has Teeth, by Marjane Ambler
Dangerous Beauty: Encounters with Grizzlies and Bison in Yellowstone, by Carolyn Jourdan
Death in Yellowstone by Lee H. Whittlesey
Empire of Shadows, by George Black

Photo Guide for Yellowstone:

Artist Point
Artists Paintpots
Black Pool
Brink of the Lower Falls
Dunanda Falls
Dunraven Pass
Excelsior Geyser Crater
Fairy Falls
Firehole Falls
Firehole Lake
Fountain Paint Pots Trail
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook
Great Fountain Geyser
Hayden Valley
Inspiration Point
Lamar Valley
Lewis Falls
Lookout Point
Lower Lookout Point
Madison River
Mammoth Hot Springs
Minerva Terrace
Morning Glory Pool
Norris Geyser Basin
Old Faithful
Point Sublime
Roaring Mountain
Roosevelt Arch
Snake River Overlook
Tower Falls
Trout Lake
Upper Falls View
West Thumb Basin
Yelloowstone Entrance Sign
Yellowstone Lake

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Dyer’s Mill, Hiking at Battelle Darby Creek

23 April 201531 August 2024

With below freezing temperatures and a couple of inches of water at the start of the trail, I almost considered turning back to reschedule my day hike at Battelle Darby Creek. The Dyer Mill Trail starts at Darby Creek Drive in Galloway and is a 2.5 mile loop trail that takes about an hour and a half to complete. I wanted to test out my new hiking boots anyway, so this would be the perfect opportunity.

Towards the start of the trail, there was a fork in the road but regardless of which path I took, I would return where I started on this loop hike. Surrounded by trees and woods for nearly an hour, I arrived at a clearing. The scenery was what I gad expected from a winter hike and I was hoping to catch a glimpse of wildlife brave enough to venture out in the cold. I happened upon a few birds, but up until that time, there was no sign of life. I continued along the path of sallow greens and browns, and searched through my binoculars to see eagles, hawks or even vultures among the soothing silence.

The pathway was a mix of grass and gravel and perfect for cross-country skiers after a winter snowfall. Ranked as moderately difficult, there were a couple of hills that were somewhat steep but not incapacitating.

The snow struggled to blanket the field as it melted under the warming temperatures. I could hear the crunching of ice under my boots as I made my way towards a bridge on the trail. I stopped to check how my boots were holding up and put my scarf in my backpack.

The snow-covered trail widened under the trees and cleaned the dirt out of my boots. I was surprised at how comfortable I felt in the cold and was happy my feet were surviving the breaking in of my new boots. By the visible impressions in the snow, I was hoping to find some animal prints.

Walking further along, Little Darby Creek appeared to my left and I could hear the faint sound of its rippling downstream. I managed to walk down to its bank to touch the water and it was absolutely freezing. There were islands of ice in several spots along the waterway and I realized, that in just a couple of weeks, they will have melted and the scenery will have changed.

I finally reached the steep climb, and I was thankful that there was neither ice nor snow on the hill. The fallen leaves provided great traction and I felt the remainder of the trek should be easy.

I approached another patch of snow and decided to follow it into the woods where it remained untouched by hikers. I finally came upon some animal footprints which made me think about the hibernating wildlife and those who have ventured out into the cold for food. I felt a happiness knowing that these nature preserves protect the adorable creatures and nearby land so we can enjoy them for years to come.

I was near the end of the trail coming back to where I had started. This was the section of the trail that was flooded, but lucky for me, my waterproof boots had passed the test.

I was satisfied that my boots had passed the waterproof test and spending time in the outdoors during winter was especially invigorating. I was happy that I continued with my hike that day and it was a beautiful, quiet afternoon to explore Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.

What to See and What to Do:

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
1775 Darby Creek Drive
Galloway, OH 43119
Telephone: 614 891 0700

Admission Fee: There is no admission fee for visiting the park.
Hours: Cedar Ridge Area: Open daily from 6:30AM to 10PM (April through September) and from 6:30AM to 8PM from October through March; All other park areas close at dark year-round
Amenities: shelter rental, lodge, biking, canoeing/kayaking, cross country skiing, fishing, hunting, ice skating, natural play areas, nature centers, picnicking, pets and sledding
Scenic Views: Viewing area for bison watching
Length of your Visit: 2 – 3 hours for hiking, nature center and bison viewing
Tips for Your Visit: Check the metro park’s website for special events, shelter rentals and trail maps.

Where to Stay:

Courtyard by Marriott Columbus Grove City
1668 Buckeye Place
Grove City, OH 43123
Telephone: 614 782 8292

Where to Eat:

Ann & Tony’s Restaurant
211 East Main Street
West Jefferson, OH 43162
Telephone: 614 879 8897

I absolutely love Ann & Tony’s Fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp, served with a tossed salad, rolls and garlic butter.

Here are more of my favorite Columbus Classics:

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream: Known for her unique flavor combinations, Jeni Britton Bauer has made ice cream famous in C-Bus!
North Market: A one-stop shop for universal cuisine, Columbus’ North Market is worth a stop in the Short North District of the city.
The Thurman Cafe: The Thurmanator is the burger of all burgers at this longtime local cafe in German Village. There may be a wait all burgers are made to order.
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant: While the sausage at Schmidt’s is the official food of Columbus, it’s the amazing Cream Puffs that have the locals lining up at the door.

What to Read:

Columbus: The Story of a City, by Ed Lentz
Columbus, Ohio: A Photographic Portrait, by Randall L Schieber and Robin Smith
Ohio in Photographs: A Portrait of the Buckeye State, by Ian Adams
Secret Columbus, by Anietra Hamper

Photo Guide for Columbus:

Coffman Park: small ponds, bridges, white barn, pavilion, landscaping, public art
Columbus Museum of Art: the grounds, inside artwork and special exhibits
Everal Barn and Homestead: landscaping, white barn, beautiful lake
Frank Fetch Park: gardens, brick paths, beautiful trees and landscaping
Franklin Park Conservatory: beautiful gardens, artwork, flowers and special exhibits
Gantz Park: barn, beautiful trees,
German Village: brick streets, landscaping, parks, charming architecture, Old World charm, historical buildings
Grove City: brick roads, small town, shopping area
Hayden Falls: wooden walking path, waterfall
Historical Village of Hilliard: a small village to include a schoolhouse, train car, chapel, log cabin, covered bridge, gazebo and granary
Homestead Park in Hilliard: walking path, covered bridge, barns, trains, tractor, pond and pet park
Inniswood Metro Gardens: gardens, lily pond, herb garden, play area for children, secret garden
Ohio State House: rotunda and landscaping (photo permit required)
Ohio State University: campus, landscaping, Mirror Lake, Ohio Stadium (you can pay a small fee to take photos inside)
Park of Roses in Clintonville: various types of rose gardens
Riverfront Park: city view, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
Schiller Park: gardens, walking paths, stone columns, wooden bridge, small lake
Scioto Mile: city views, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
Scioto Park in Dublin: statue of Chief Leatherlips, river views, landscaping, and paths
Short North: restaurants, italian village, shops, city views, murals
Topiary Park: depiction of George Seurat’s 1884 painting, landscape, fountains, small pond, gazebo