Salt Lake City Trip- The Cemetery and Squatters

Thanks to Brigham Young, Salt Lake City was founded in 1847.  The buildings in downtown are evidence that the city was at one time quite lucrative.  

Where there is beautiful architecture there is usually a historic cemetery not too far off.

There was a large section of gravestones that confessed when the dead professed.  

Mrs. Frisbee knew she was gliding her way into heaven in 1910.

This is really the reason we are here, to see this gravestone, of Lilly Gray, who was a victim of the beast.

We just couldn't figure this mystery out.

Simple is better.

Next we are headed to Snowbird to ride the gondola to the summit.

Although we got great parking in the 'Subaru only' parking area, our plans were thwarted due to high winds! 

Oh well, it just meant that we were at Salt Lake Brewing Company/Squatter's Pub Brewery earlier than planned. 

It is always interesting to learn about liquor laws in other states.  In Utah, you can order a can of beer that has a high alcohol content, but if you order off the tap you won't get a beer higher than 4% alcohol by volume. 

Squatter's is a brewery that we have tasted often from spending some time in Utah, but we have never been to the brewery so we have never had the yummy food!

We all are loving Salt Lake!

Happy New Year!

Salt Lake City Trip- The Creamery and the Temple

Right before you enter the Virgin River Gorge, the drive to Salt Lake is so beautiful and entertaining.  

Entertaining for adults... 

Our first stop was the Creamery.  This has been a long time coming.  We have seen this beautiful building for the past year and have never been able to visit because it used to be closed on Sundays.  I guess money got the best of this company because they decided to open (although they have limited hours) on Sundays.  Yay us!

Someone found some friends! 

The Creamery has been in business since 1952, originally built by the farmers of Beaver, Utah, to supply cheese to the small town.  Now it is quite an operation.  

Yes I came for the food, but wasn't about to leave without ice cream.  It was delicious.  

And their servings are large.  I couldn't even finish mine!

Before we knew it we were in Salt Lake and getting on TRAX, the free train that goes through downtown, headed to the temple.

Every year since 1965 the temple goes all out for Christmas. 

One million lights are used to create this tourist attraction. 

Come for the lights, stay for the service...

Nice try mormons... 

It is really beautiful.  

And now, we can go home.  

Kidding.

Salt Lake City Trip- CA to UT

Zzyzx means we are getting close to Nevada!

We are on our way to Salt Lake City for the week, to enjoy family friendly activities with a bunch of Mormons.

And there is snow too! 

In order to appease our baby I have developed a system for breastfeeding while driving.  Draped around the carseat, it is not the most comfortable position for me.  BUT it is so worth it. 

A happy baby is a happy drive.

After taking pictures she insists on seeing the phone, and that usually leads to insisting on taking the phone.  I don't usually allow it because cell phones are not toys, but in order to keep with the happy baby, happy drive motif, I did allow her the opportunity to take my phone.  

The above picture is her first picture!  

She is so artistic.  

I am pretty sure it is a commentary about how feet are wasted if they aren't used to run all around... she is artistic.  

It is dark and we are finally in St. George.  

We are always pushing her baby limits, but as soon as she is out, all is forgotten.  

Scamping in Palm Springs in August. Day 3.

We tried to get outside, once again, before the heat really set in (which didn't give us too much time to work with).

Then we spent some time with our handy new "Map of Modern Palm Springs", driving around in the comfort of the air conditioned Subaru.

Although we saw plenty of beautiful architecture, there were two areas that are gated and so unapproachable.  I really think this information should be shown on the map, but all in all, with 80 buildings listed, it is really thorough.  

You just have to love the location of these address tiles...

This is Frank Sinatra's home.  Surprisingly enough, it is right in the middle of Palm Springs (not in the outskirts like most of the other homes), right on a busy street!  It is gated, but if he were to live there now, he would be constantly confronted with people like me, trying to take pictures over his little electric gate.

Our day ended with ice cream at Kreem.  They were closed for the entire month of August, today was their first day back in business!  Lucky us since we love this place.  

I indulged in rosemary and decaf.

At the time pistachio and olive oil seemed too cutting edge, but now I wish I would have tried it!  Oh well.  Lesson learned. It is just ice cream, how strange could it have really been?

Palm Springs architecture is very appealing for everyone.

We cannot wait to return.

Then, back in Oceanside, we were greeted with just a 40 degree difference in the temperature!