Salt Lake City

“I am scheduled to teach a class at our Franchisee meeting in Salt Lake City in June. Today I found out that the company has no objections to my 11 year old son and 7 year old daughter going with me.

The meeting starts on Wednesday and will continue to Friday evening. The Snowbird resort has a day camp for children during the day while I am in meetings.

However, I am going the Friday before and will have Sat, Sun, Mon and Tue to do whatever. Any suggestions on where I can maximize the experience for the kids? Places to go, things to do?”

“Are you in Snowbird the whole time, or are you staying in SLC the first few days? Lots of dayhike opportunities from either location. I'd take them to Antelope Island one day - get to drive across the lake and see some buffalo (which I would like as a kid).”

“I am staying at Snowbird Tue night to Saturday. I will have a car and have no plans yet for Sat, Sun, Mon and Tue morn.”

“Thanks foamfinger, I just found the Antelope Island website and I will be spending a day there, no doubt.”

“When you visit Antelope Island bring you own lunch and make a picnic at the beach or under some shade trees at an old ranch. As I recall, the only food available is standard, overpriced tourist junk food. Also, look for some petroglyphs (I don't recal if they have any on the park maps, but you could ask a ranger.)”

“thanks, will do.”

“There is an amusement park about a half hour north of Salt Lake on I-15 called Lagoon. It's not the greatest amusement park I've been to but kids seem to like it alot. It's usually packed on weekends so I'd suggest going on a weekday.

June will be hot. Antelope Island doesn't have much shade on it, so don't plan an all day trip out there. I'd suggest late afternoon, early evening.

At Park City Resort (in Park City) about 45 minutes from SLC on the freeway they have an alpine slide that's pretty fun. It's a concrete slide that goes down the mountain. You sit on little wheel sleds and control your speed with a hand brake. You'll take the chairlift to the top of the hill. There's some great views from it.

Park City is higher in the mountains so it will be cooler there. Main Street has a bunch of shops and restaurants so you could spend a day there.

Also in P.C. is a rail-trail. The very first part is paved and the rest is packed dirt and gravel. It's a nice bike ride if you want to rent bikes for yourself and the kids.

The canyons outside SLC (Snowbird is in Little Cottonwood Canyon) are full of trails. There are several that are good kids- short and not too strenuous. I have a couple of guidebooks I could lend you when you're here.

A drive up any of the canyons is a good way to spend an afternoon. There are picnic areas all over the place.

There is a frisbee golf course in the city if your kids would like that kind of thing. I know a guy who has a tournament up near Brighton ski resort every summer but I don't know if that one is kid appropriate.

One of the movie theatres in town has an IMAX screen. There are usually several differet movies there at any given time.

Sports-wise, there is a AAA baseball team and WNBA team playing during the month of June.

That's all I could think of off the top of my head. If you have any more questions, let me know.

Oh yeah, try the pastries at Mrs. Backer's Bakery ;)”

“thanks mm, I look forward to this trip and the kids are already hyped. The like day hikes so I see a couple coming into play. I will take the advice on Antelope Island and look forward to visiting Park City. We plan on being both flexible and creative in our planning. I appreciate the tip on the amusement park, but I really want them to enjoy the natural aspects of Utah. When I leave, I want them to appreciate the experience as being unique.

In four years of divorce, their mother has never taken them anywhere but the mall. Each summer we try to do something different. They really enjoy seeing new places and they are absolutely "outdoor" kids. I had thought of a camping trip for a few days, but the logistics may be a bit much. I will send you an email with travel plans before I depart.”

“Chili, send me one also. I have a friend who has a cabin in Brighton and lives in Park City and there are great small dayhikes for the youngins in Brighton. We can show ya around.


What dates are you talkin?”

“I am leaving Memphis on either the 14th or 15th of June. Will be leaving SLC on the afternoon of the 22nd. The conference runs 18th to 21st. So my "flexible" schedule will be the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th. As soon as travel confirms (Monday or Tuesday), I will send a note with arrival times.”

“You may wan't to consider taking a ride on an historic narrow gauge railroad called the Heber Creeper. It's very similar to the Durango Silverton narrow gauge railway, and it goes through some beautiful country. Just a suggestion.”

“After coordinating the summer visitation, it appears that my kids won't be going to SLC. Probably a good thing as I can take a week off next month and not have to divide my time between them and work.

Therefore, I arrive in SLC on Monday the 17th. Have work obligations during the day on 19, 20 and 21. Leave SLC on the 23rd.

I appreciate the suggestions here and will follow up. While I am not at SnowBird, where should I stay? Downtown? I would like to take in some music and a couple of beers during the evening. Any suggestions?”

“Is SLC dry? Years ago I recall seeing a lot of well-dressed people with brown, paper bags on a Sat. night.”

“LOL, I pulled the law on this and it appears that restaurants and clubs can sell alchohol. It is the most complex set of regulations I have seen, but the bottom line is that SLC is not dry.”

“I stayed downtown a couple of years ago, several good brew pubs near the downtown area.”

“gotta check out Griz's bakery i understand.
stay downtown good sushi place there..i forgot the name, also a mexican place”

“If I dont go anywhere else, I will make it to Griz's bakery!”

“i am flying into slc to begin my journey to montanapalooza, but i bet griz's bakery is not open on sundays :(”

“Om, I'm sorry but you are correct. Were closed on Sun. and Mondays. But email me and we'll see what we can work out. I can always give ya the closed grand tour:)

Chili, I have Monday off and have to work on Tues. I'll mail ya.

Sorry I haven't been in touch,
I've been real busy with a home remodel.I can't even get on the computer much anymore but it will be good to see some faces.”

“Griz, get to SLC at 4:30 PM Monday the 17th. I will have a car. Send me an email.”

“chili..u leave slc on the 23rd? me too......would be wild if on the same flight.”

“om, I will send you an email with the flight information”

“Griz, where is the bakery? I want to make sure I stop by. Arrive SLC next Monday.”

“Chili,
Griz's bakery is close to downtown. It's easy to find. I can loan you some hiking books if you want to do some hiking during your time off. There's a lot of trails up near Snowbird if you've even got a couple hours. If I have some time off, during the week, maybe we can hook up for those couple of beers you mentioned.”

“Mediaman, thanks. I can spring for the beer. I will have almost every afternoon/evening available and would like to make some short dayhikes. Send me an email and I will get you my intenerary.”

“mediaman, I arrive at 4:30 Monday and will be downtown Monday/Tuesday. Going up to Snowbird Tuesday evening. Don't see an email address for you on the profile. I plan on sampling the wares at the local brewpubs Monday. Which one is best?”

“Chili,

Just sent you an e-mail. It's been a busy week at work.”

“Thanks. Got it and replied. Look forward to meeting you and Griz next week.”

“Chili is leaving the building. Spend a weekend with my kids, then fly to SLC next Monday. I'll post the first trip report after a "hike" to Griz's bakery. LOL.”

“Mediaman is a first class hiker. He was kind enough to point out a local brew pub on his "lunch hour". Seems he is working mucho hours covering the news of the kidnapping.

He drove up exactly when he said he would be here and after dinner provided me with two hiking guides to use for the week.

TT'ers are incredible.”

“Chili came by the bakery this morning and I must say... it was a pleasure meeting him. I'd go hiking with that guy anytime.

He's on his way up to Snowbird and we'll see what he has to say about our mountains here.”

“Between griz and mediaman, I was able to get directions to just about everything I need to see.

I am just now getting used to the altitude. For those of us who live at 800 feet, being constantly above 7000 takes its toll.

Dayhiked up to Ensign Peak after I left the bakery and have taken two day hikes here in Little Cottonwood Canyon. I hike to one peak over 10,000 feet and I firmly believed that there was no oxygen in my blood stream. The altitude is a killer for us "flatlanders".
The scenery is incredible. I could easily get used to this place. Yesterday evening, I took a group on a mecanized hike, by going to Brighton, then crossing Guardsman pass to Park City. It was an excellent trip.

Tonight, however, the expedition is to the Hog's Wallow, a local roadhouse recommended by the bar tender. Forget everything you have heard about how "dry" SLC is.....the beer flows faster here than it does in Memphis.”

“you sure do make the most of your trips, chili! :-)”

“Chili,

I'm being sent to WV for work. If you see Griz, drop off those guidebooks with him, would you?”

“A great trip!! Several dayhikes (Ensign Peak and Little Cottonwood Canyon). Two hikes over 10,000 feet. This is a very beautiful area. I could have spent another full week there.

Griz and Mediaman are first rate. For anyone who is ever in SLC, you definately want to meet these two.

MM, I thought about the books about half way between SLC and Memphis. They are on their way back via FedEx to the station.

Thanks very much to MM and Griz for the hospitality.”