Sightseeing in SLC

We had a great day of sightseeing in SLC yesterday. Started the day off with a nice run around the city and then headed out to see the Great Salt Lake. Stinky!! Rhett said the smell reminded him of the salt marshes back home. We drove out to the south end of the lake to this place called Saltair. It's this huge historic mosque-inspired building that was a gathering place where people used to come in the early 1900's. Back then, the shoreline of the lake was much closer than it is now. The building used to actually sit on the water. Now it's probably a couple hundred yards from it. The building has gone through many renovations over the years. It was a theme park at one time with roller coasters and such, and then a dance hall...now it houses a small gift shop. It's still very cool to see.

About a mile west of there is the Saltair boat ramp. We got out of the car and then quickly got back in the car after noticing the hundred, yes, HUNDREDS of orb-weaving spiders. Apparently the spiders come out in hordes like that from time to time when the salinity in the lake is high and/or the gnats are in great numbers, and they were. We still got great shots of the lake, but we did it quick and hit it.

Then it was on to the 2002 Olympic Site up at the University of Utah. It was cool to see the Olympic cauldron, and of course Rhett had to get pics of another football stadium :) Afterwards we drove a little further up on the hill and visited the "This Is The Place" monument. This site commemorates the Mormon's entrance into the Salt Lake valley. It was a really neat place to visit. Lots of historical monuments and statues, as well as some great views of the valley.

Next it was off to Temple Square. We noticed on our drive there that the crosswalks in Utah all have these bright orange flags in buckets on each side of the street. Apparently, you're supposed to grab a couple flags a walk with them when you cross the street. Only in Utah lol. Rhett was really amused by this (see video). Rhett really wanted to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing, but the weren't practicing yesterday :( However, we were able to listen to an organ recital in the Conference Center which was very impressive. The organ is amazing.

About 4:00 we met up with Joe's friend Elizabeth and her two sons at this large outdoor mall. The thunderstorm had passed at this point so the sun was shining again and it was hot! We had some frozen yogurt and caught up on the past 11 years since we'd last seen each other.

After that we had had enough sightseeing for awhile and headed back to the hotel for a nap. Then it was off to check out the hoppin' nightlife of SLC. Went to this club called Jam and met a few locals. Had some good conversation and laughs and then drove up on this bluff for some incredible nighttime views of the valley.

Today we got up, hit the gym, and now it's off for the 9ish hour drive to Denver!