I am really slacking here! But this was our last big day, so almost done... And, the pictures do most of the talking here. We had a big day with a lot of walking. And, Salt Lake City isn’t exactly flat so mama was wore out! Dave said we averaged six miles per day of vacation. You would think that would equal some weight loss - seeing as I really didn’t pig-out like I regularly do on vacation and, contrary to Dave’s posts, I really didn’t partake of too much alcohol either!
Well, fresh air counts for something, I guess. We started the day at the International Peace Gardens (
www.internationalpeacegardens.org). We thought maybe they were created for the Olympics, but some of the plaques pre-dated that - even back to WWII era. Very nice concept, but it needed some work. Even as they were doing some planting, there were other repairs and improvements that were needed, too.
Next stop, Temple Square Visitor Center (
www.utah.com/mormon/temple_square_visitors_centers). Yikes. I guess I should have known they would be out to get me, but I associate that more with the Jehovah’s Witness. So, we did walk in and start nosing around before I could see them start to stalk me, Books of Mormon in hand. I looked for the closest exit, dodging a couple pairs of missionaries on the way out. Whew. However, I was still on their land. I tried to enjoy the flora and fountains but at every turn, there they were - two by two. I had to make a break for the gate before my skin started to burn and my hair caught on fire... Made it to the mall, handily across the street.
As I wrote for Day 12, there is no lack of money for these pious folk. Nordstrom’s, Tiffany & Co., etc... I could barely find a cup of coffee for all that! I wondered if we had crossed over into another dimension. I told Dave to take his time hob-knobbing with the Mormonites but we were soon off, uphill, to the State Capitol (
www.utahstatecapitol.utah.gov). Quite spectacular, I must say. Complete with self-guided tour map! The place sure is huge for a state with half the population of Wisconsin.
I just happened out of the Visitor Center door in time to hear the Capitol ring out “Proud to be an American” instead of the noon-hour. Again, spectacular. And, oddly enough we had planned on being at the Tabernacle at noon. Coincidentally, Lee Greenwood (
www.leegreenwood.com) (who I think I last saw in 1987) was on the TV the next day! Weirdness.
Finally, walking downhill, we visited the Brigham Young Historic Park and his gravesite/Mormon Pioneer Memorial Monument. Figured we’d pop in on the Catholics at Cathedral of Madeleine and then took a tour of Beehive and/or Lion House. They almost got me there as during the tour they touted some of the benefits of Being Mormon and at the end, blocking the exit, asked if we wanted to sign up! I gave them a fake name and took off - just kidding. I politely declined and they moved on to the next victims, I mean family. At which point, I needed to take a break and practice some of my own religion at the Beerhive Pub. After a lovely lunch and several local brews, Dave convinced me to go back to the Mormons and visit their genealogy center. Which was quite amazing. First, they weren’t after me (perhaps because they knew they were going to find out all about me from what/who I searched on their computers). Second, they were very friendly and helpful and let you stay for hours on their computers for FREE. I was just going to watch Dave, but I figured “What the heck?” and started plunking along on my own, going through censuses and immigration records. All of a sudden, we had been there FOUR hours!
Soon it was going to be sunset, so we hustled over to the Olympic torch (I think we saw it) and up to the This Is The Place Heritage Park (
www.thisistheplace.org), where as legend has it Brigham Young decided he would set up Mormon shop. It was beautiful, but honestly, I think they were just exhausted - walking and pulling their carts all the way from IL.
I don’t think we had dinner that night. I can’t remember having dinner anyway. Quick nightcap (and by night, I mean it was dark out but it wasn’t even 10 p.m.) and back to the LQ (
www.lq.com) we went...
