We had a great trip out West. We flew into Salt Lake airport and rented a car. Now I don't ever worry much about what kind of car we have as long as the ride is nice, not too bumpy, and if I am driving then I like the steering to feel easy like cutting into soft butter. That's not too much to ask is it? Oh yes, at times it is very important that we rent a vehicle large enough for vacation purchases! But no need to worry on this trip as we were flying and I didn't have plans to bring anything LARGE back with us.
First night we stayed at the Marriott Downtown in Salt Lake. We got up to our room and opened the drapes. What a view! Temple Square all lit up.
Next day we headed over to the Joseph Smith building and met up with an old friend Rob Hildebrandt. We've known Rob since the mid 90's, but most of that friendship has been over emails as we both moved away. It was nice to catch up on old times with Rob. We had a delightful lunch at the Nauvoo Cafe, it was a delicious Turkey Pot Pie. Just the warm filling kind of lunch that you desire on a rainy and snowy day. We toured the Family History Library where Rob spends most of his days doing research and he introduced us to folks from Sweden, Germany and a variety of other countries all taking advantage of all the millions of microfilms available there.
View of Temple Square taken from the top floor of the Joseph Smith Building.
Ernie Me and Rob in the Family History Library (Rob is holding on to his can of Tony Chachere's!)
After bidding farewell to Rob we headed on over to Provo and checked into the Marriott there. Next morning we registered at the Computerized Family History Conference. I was so excited when I was viewing the various vendor booths and recognized John Vilburn. John wrote the program PafInsight which I use almost daily!
That's John and me. I was so excited to be at the conference!
After the last lecture of the day Ernie and I headed out to just sightsee a bit in Provo. It isn't too often a bayou girl gets to see mountains let alone mountains with snow on them.
We were coming up to a red light and there was a police car in the other lane. Ernie comments to me that the cop is driving a Dodge Charger, just the same as the car we are driving. He says that the police like that model.
Ernie slows down approaching the light. The cop slows even more. Ernie stops, the cop stops, rolls down his window and waves to us to come up along side of him. Now Ernie is thinking 'What did I do?' We pull up along side of the police vehicle and roll down my window. The policeman smiles and says "Nice car!" We smile back. Cop says, "What ya got in it? A V8 or a V6? Ernie says, "Don't know, we're renting it"
Cop says, "Renting? Ah, probably a V6" They chat a little more and the light changes and the cop takes off. Ernie jokingly comments, "Gee I thought he was going to ask me to race" .... that's the kind of race you are definately going to loose.
Must admit though it was a nice car.
After all the conference lectures were over we met up with friends Joyce and Tom. Tom is quite a character and always has new jokes to tell. Joyce and I have been friends for years. Close friends, almost sisters. Don't even get me started on how we met and became friends. It's too complicated and I think it's Top Secret.
Over the next few days we ate so much good food, but the oddest thing for me was going out to an Italian place for ST. PATRICK'S DAY. Joyce and I love all things Italian so I guess that's why. Shhhh! Don't tell my Irish mother.
But by far the best edibles were had at the Caffe Cocoa, we had a prosciutto and Havariti Panini and Italian Hot Chocolate. Small little cups of thick and I do mean thick, hot chocolate with tons of cream on top. It was like drinking warm pudding. So rich and delicious. It was a treat I will remember for quite a long time.
We took a trip up thru the mountains, thinking we could get to Midway. We didn't get that far but did enjoy our time anyway. I guess because we're from the south we didn't realize that they close roads in the winter. Snow thick and everywhere! Eye candy to this southern girl.
Some meals are just meant to be remembered, whether it's the company you are with, the service, the meal, the scenery or all of the above.
Well this meal was great because I was with a great guy, the waitstaff was friendly, the meal was so delicious and the scenery was outstanding. We sat at a window overlooking the deck and beyond it the snow covered mountains. There was a cracking fire warming the room. Every table had lovely fresh flowers.
Across the room was another window, but the only thing you could see was snow. The snow was as high as the window.
We ordered sauteed turkey tenders in gravy with mashed potatoes and a salad. That meal was quite a surprise. The turkey was great and tasty. The gravy had a depth to it. The mashed potatoes, well this Irish girl says YES to them. They were flavorful and had a wonderful consistency. The salad was not just the regular iceberg lettuce, there were other greens as well.
Sadly our trip was over and we had to say goodbye to Utah. But the memories will last and we will surely go back again!
