Thanks to the generous folks I worked with our housing was absolutely free and totally relaxing. We stayed in a condo north of town and there was the best TV channel ever - Nature TV (I don't think you'll find it in your local cable listing). There was a lovely picture window that looked out over a meandering creek and meadow. We saw a river otter, a mink, a great blue heron, a sandhill crane, horses and a fox family. The fox family was momma fox and three babies who played rough & tumble like there was no tomorrow. It was wonderful to sit there and look out the window (or go out on the deck) and watch nature's entertainment.
Other things we did of note were to visit the Park City Mountain Resort. We rode the Alpine Slide, the Alpine Coaster and the Zip Lines. So much fun and I would rank order them in the reverse of how they're listed on the "scream factor" scale. If you're ever anywhere that offers a zip line ride, TAKE IT!
We also had a most relaxing afternoon at the Aura Spa in Park City. My massage therapist, Carolyn, was awesome. I had a massage and energy work done. She said I have wonderful energy and that the top of my head is very open (I don't exactly know what that means but she was smiling when she said it). It made me feel very different - more blissed out that a good massage usually does. I could feel her energy as well and it took me to another place. The owners of the spa were wonderful and so accomodating for a group of four at the last minute. If you ever go to Park City, definitely visit them!
Beyond that it was lots of wandering around and eating. I ended up getting sick and spent the whole day Sunday in bed. The crew was nice enough to bring home mexican for a little early-birthday dinner. And of course Matty got me my favorite cake in the whole, wide world - Pineapple Upside Down Cake! It was terribly yummy and I had it for breakfast the next day too!
M&M left early than Todd & we did, so after we took them to the airport in SLC we got to meet a friend for lunch. She's only been a "virtual" friend for now, so it was wonderful to meet P-n-M in person! (That's her forum handle, in case you were wondering). We had a tasty lunch at Market Street Grill - University - my crab cake sandwich was awesome and the fries were some of the best ever! It was across the street from the University of Utah where she works. After lunch we got a quick trip to P-n-M's lovely abode and meet her two labs - Pete & Maddie. (get the name now?). To round out the day we headed out to the Great Salt Lake.
We actually went out to an island in the lake - Antelope Island. One word - STINKY! The only thing that lives in the Great Salt Lake are brine shrimp, brine flies & algae. Makes it a great place for migrating birds; not so much for migrating tourists. We toured the little visitors center and then truged down to the lake, all the way down. The water level is pretty low right now.
Matt even had the nerve to go out IN the water. UGH! It wasn't the water itself that was gross, it was the marine layer of brine flies that covered everything. So disgusting. Everytime you moved there was the black, buzzing wave that preceeded you or closed in behind. YUCK! The birds were having a great time though. They would just run along with sand with their mouth open and scoop up a beakful of brine files! It was a fowl smorgasbord!
If you're interested in seeing anymore SLC pictures (it's more of the Great Salt Lake, the Mormon Square and some of the peeps), feel free to check out our gallery of photos.
