Wasatch Mountain High

At the top of the Bobsled run

Back in 2000, Matt and I traveled to Orlando for my brother’s wedding. While in central Florida, we took time to go to Universal Studio’s Islands of Adventure (current home of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter). While Matt rode the Dueling Dragons roller coaster (over and over and over), I took the opportunity to meet with one of the resident psychics, Madame Pashmina (well, that’s what I called her).

I went in thinking it was gonna be a bunch of hooey, but I was stunned at how accurate she was – my relationship with Matt, my not-so-great relationship with my Dad, and so on. During the reading she began to focus on me moving somewhere I could see mountains. I found this pretty funny as in Iowa we really don’t have mountains, and I honestly couldn’t see myself living in a mountainous area.

Just a view from Main Street

That was until I discovered Park City, Utah.

In grad school my very best friend was Jenn. She was my first “Grace”. I didn’t come out until the end of grad school, but she was such a huge support for me. After graduation, I eventually moved to Iowa and she back to Utah. I was supposed to go to her wedding in 1998, but couldn’t because of the death of my grandmother.

Close to 20 years later, I took her up on her open invitation to visit her in Park City.

I flew out on Friday, but because of delays, didn’t actually arrive in Salt Lake City until Saturday morning.  The drive up to Park City was beautiful as you leave Salt Lake for a short drive up a canyon road (Interstate 80). There was still quite a bit of snow on the mountains and it was tricky to keep my eyes on the road with the spectacular scenery all around me.

Forced perspective, the ski jump
doesn't actually land on the Wal-Mart
Supercenter

Jenn’s house is on the outskirts of Park City and you can actually see Utah Olympic Park from her upstairs windows. U.O.P. hosted the ski jumping, skeleton, luge and bobsled events during the 2002 Winter Olympics. We had the opportunity to tour the park and I loved every minute of it. I’m a huge fan of the Olympics and the chance to stand at the top of the ski jump and see the sliding track was a thrill.

The Great Salt Lake. Sorry no photos
of hot cyclists. 

We also took time to see the Great Salt Lake. It was beautiful and I was amazed at nature’s beauty. Plus there were some hot cyclists out riding – nothing like beefy legs in spandex.

But I digress.

At the base of the mountain at PCMR
My favorite part of the trip

My favorite part of the trip was sitting at the lodge of Park City Mountain Resort. I was able to watch skiers and snowboarders coming down the mountain. It was a beautiful, sunny day and I was at peace. It was calmest that I had been in quite some time, and honestly, I didn’t want it to end.

Alas, all good things must come to an end, and I returned to Ames on Thursday. School starts back on Monday and I feel my batteries have been recharged for the stretch run.

Love you awesome nerds.

Robert

Oh yeah, my new undergarments
are really itchy. ;-)