SLC day 3

While Don had meetings all day, I went on a tour of Temple Square.  The buildings and gardens are just beautiful.  The history is so interesting. 

 This tall building is the Joseph Smith Memorial building.  There is a restaurant on the 10th floor.  Don and I ate there 18 years ago, and we at there again on our last night this trip.

 The Temple.  It took 40 years to build.

 This is where the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs.  We could have attending a performance on Day 2, but it would have been rushed getting ready in time after the 5k run.  

 

 This is the geneology library.  We could search our relatives, and I learned my kids are quite Canadian.  

 The gardens at Temple Square are something to see!  

 This is a reflection pond.  

Across the street from Temple square is a shopping district called City Creek.  A creek actually runs through it.  It's an open air design.  The Mormon Church owns and developed it.

Following our tour of Temple Square, we went to tour the capital.  I left the group at this point since I already had the tour, and walked around the Capital Mall instead.

Monday evening, we were bussed to the Natural History Museum on the University of Utah campus.  The food was good, but Don and I just aren't fancy people, and it was super fancy ish.

SLC day 2

Day 2 started with a 5k.  The route began outside our hotel, went up and around the Utah State Capital building, then back to the hotel.  Don and I may possibly have taken last place.  We at least finished before the first walker did.  It was mostly uphill all the way to the capital.  We had to stop at a few stop lights, and also took time to take some pictures at the capital.

 It actually was pretty nice running weather.  It's a dry heat in SLC.  There was some smog from the 9 fires that are currently burning in Utah.  Our biggest challenge was the altitude difference.  Oh...and the hill.

 This is our 'all done' picture.  the Grand America is behind us

 Half way mark!  The water attendant said it was all down hill from here.  He lied.  It was uphill all the way to the back side of the capital still.

Once we finished our run, we had brunch, the Utah's State Auditor picked us up and took back to the capital for a tour.  The capital building is absolutely stunning.  There are all types of historical influences in the architecture (heavy Mormon influence)

 The supreme court in the capital is more symbolic than functional.  There is a new supreme court building down town.

 This fancy room is the Gold room.  This is wear the Utah officials meet with other dignitaries and important people.

 Lots of angels in the architecture, as a reminder to those making the laws and policy that those that served and lived before them are watching down on them.

 1 of 5000 or so statues of Brigham Young.  I disagree with his Theological beliefs, but he was quite the Pioneer.

 Sunday evening there was a social in the garden courtyard at the hotel.  We sat with the budget person from Maryland, and an accountant that wears a bowtie. 

I thought the centerpiece was pretty.

SLC day 1

Don had a conference in Salt Lake City this past week, and I was able to tag along.

 The conference was held at the Grand America.  A beautiful hotel, but maybe a little too fancy for us.

 Decor like this was all over the hotel.

 Our view out the balcony of our 14th floor room

 We thought this was a church, but learned it was the former city hall, and currently is referred to as Washington Depot park.

 SLC has scooters all over that you can rent.  We did not.

 Washington Depot

 Apparently the architect/designer of the hotel was superstitious...I guess we were really on the 13th floor..

The too fancy hotel had turn down service, and provided these 'one size fits all'slippers that were way too small for our feet.

In addition to walking through Washington Depot and getting a treat at Dunkin' Donuts,  we were picked up by some staff of Utah's auditor's office for supper.  They and Don talked about auditor stuff.  

life goals