Utah - and finding my footing

This past week I got to spend three days in Utah. It wasn't nearly enough time. I definitely want to back to see some of the great parks there. This trip, mostly work as usual, I stayed in Salt Lake City. SLC is beautiful and surrounded by snow covered mountains. I always see pictures of Utah from Bryce Canyon or Zion - so my brain was expecting more desert, red rock canyon sort of landscape. Not so in SLC.

It was fairly easy to navigate around, but people here aren't known for staying in their lane. Friendly though, and definitely not strict Mormon like other places in Utah - despite being home to the LDS Church headquarters. Salt Lake hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. It's supposed to have some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the country. I did see tons of people with ski bags in the airport and clunking them in the elevator at the hotel.

Monday afternoon/evening was my best time for some sightseeing. On advice from a colleague, I drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Wascsatch Mountains. Gorgeous winding drive up the mountain with incredible views. About 9 miles up, I had dinner at the rustic Silver Fork Lodge. Hearty food in a restored lodge near the site of former silver ore mines. I was seated near the big stone fireplace looking out over the back deck and evergreens. Snow gently falling. A pair of skiers at the table next to me discussing what a wonderful day on the slopes it had been. The polished off dinner and a few drinks before heading to hit the hot tubs. Apparently they come every year, as they were discussing the lower crowds this year with the waiter.

Since it was still daylight and knowing rain was expected the next few days, I decided to head on to another place I wanted to visit. Cathedral of the Madeleine is the only cathedral in the U.S. dedicated to Mary Magdalene. It is one of only two churches in the world bestowed with her relics. The other is in France (Basilica of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume). It was originally built in 1909.

Such a peaceful, beautiful cathedral. I managed to arrive about an hour after the last mass. I didn't see the relic. But I did spend several minutes in prayer and reflection.

The next few days were gloomy, late Winter weather. And on my last day, I woke up to snow & sleet. This made for an interesting drive to Provo - for work. But the weather cleared soon enough. I definitely want to explore Utah more. This pic was taken in Provo outside the hospital I was visiting for work.

I'm finally starting to find my feet in this job. It feels good to not feel like a "deer in the headlights". Much of training here is like drinking from a fire hose. And it's not so easy to go back to being a beginner in your late 50's. But I figure it's good for my brain and keeps my ego in check. So that's a good thing! I've always liked challenges and learning and exploring.

I had the rare luxury of four straight days at home this weekend. I spent a lot of it resting and catching up on sleep. Next week I'm back to Phoenix. Thanks for reading.

Jules