Got a slightly slower start than usual since it wasn't clear what exactly we were going to do for the entire day.
Headed south on another dry and cool western morning. The area south of Preston was only intermittently rural, as the area began to feel more suburban quickly, especially once we got into Utah. The scenery along US 91 was still pretty though.
There were a few interesting things to see along the way.
Evel Cowneivel??? Or...why does a pig ride a motorcycle - because he can.
We continued south and got on the interstate, getting off near downtown Salt Lake City. We were headed to the Daughters of the Pioneers Museum in SLC. This was one of the first times I was really glad I had turn by turn directions on a GPS since we were able to quickly find it. Thankfully, rush hour was over by this time.
Surprisingly, we were able to easily find a parking space right next to the museum and it was free. Between the available free parking and the very clean downtown area, Salt Lake has to be one of the nicest big cities we've been to. Drivers are much more courteous than I was anticipating for as well.
The museum has many artifacts from the pioneer days of the Mormons entering what is now Salt Lake City and the general westward travel of pioneers in general. It is much more pioneer than Mormon, but both are there. There are later exhibits as well, showing the growing of the city. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed in the museum. Much of the museum is incredibly interesting, showing what daily life was like on the frontier in the mid 1800's through early 20th century. Many of the items can be tied directly back to their original owners including Brigham Young. I was surprised to see some of the things they hauled across the continent, including grand pianos. A couple pianos were buried in the plains and retrieved later as the travel was not always without troubles. Also interesting, the museum has a ~120 year old piece of bread from the inaugural of the Mormon Temple and a sheep with two heads. The museum has something for everyone.
The attendance was very lite which allowed a measured pace through the museum until a whole troop of kids showed up with scavenger homework on things in the museum to find. July 24 is Pioneer Day, celebrated in Utah as the day that Brigham Young declared "This is the place." and no doubt it will be much busier soon.
After the museum we headed down through Temple Square to a mall to eat at Kneaders, which is kind of like a Panera. The food was good, even if we were in a mall.
While walking back through Temple Square, we ended up touring some of the Mormon Temple areas. Despite the fact that we had been through here several years ago, we had the time and for whatever reason it was more interesting this time. The Mormons put a happy face on their Religion turned tourist attraction as there is never a shortage of tour guides to help or explain.
One of the places we went was to the 26th floor of the church administration building which has two observation decks. These can't be accessed unescorted, but a friendly guide brought us up and she also pointed out some neat things in the area. The view of the capital is stunning.
From the other observation deck, the main Temple Square and Temple is visible in a way not easily seen from the ground.
The general view of the Salt Lake Valley is also gorgeous.
It is impossible to come to this desert city and not think about Sarah Vowell's description of Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, especially with the friendliness of the volunteers: "Even though one city is all about sin and the other is all about salvation, they are identical, one-dimensional company towns built up out of the desert by the sheer will of true believers." What I truly enjoyed about the unscheduled visit to Temple Square was how everyone is very accommodating without being pushy and treating every interaction as a proselytizing moment; I think that shows a level of respect from the Mormons and since we are visiting their most special area that should be reciprocated.
After leaving the Temple area, we had a somewhat painful walk up the steep hill back towards the bike in temperatures that had climbed to well over 100 degrees. Still, I wanted to see inside the state capital building. I wasn't sure if was supposed to be walking around by myself, but other than the security guard glowering from overhead, none of the very few people around seemed to care.
The capital building is also very impressive with marble everywhere and imposing staircases.
The main rotunda of the building has four status showing what I presume are tenets of state of Utah. These are tangential to the Mormon religion and a statue of Brigham Young is also just off the rotunda.
Back at the bike, we painfully put on our hot motorcycle coats and helmets and made our way to a public library for a little over an hour to borrow the wifi and relax before we headed to D's new house.
Once there, we caught up for a while and had dinner of home made burgers before talking and playing a few games.
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