Salt Lake wrap-up

So, I'm off to Denver tomorrow. But just a couple of things to note. The red dot in the city is (around about) where I am staying, and the one in the mountains is as far as I walked earlier this afternoon. OK, so it wasn't the top of the mountain. Give me some credit.

Oh, it's called Mount Van Cott. And Google Maps tells me I reached about 5,500 feet above sea level. Also, the range is known as the Wasatch Mountains -- part of the Rockies.

Some views from the north, southwest, and south:

VIDEO: Peek-a-boo with Salt Lake City

That's right. I'm treating my readers like small children. Behold.


I am out of breath, as you might hear.

Taste of home...

Or what I imagine is starting to happen more at home as November continues.

Oh, and here is the obligatory Temple shot. Yup, Mormons live in Salt Lake. If you want to make fun of them, please refrain from it in the comments and, instead, do so here.

Salt Lake: I had lots of misconceptions

Utah is, maybe rightfully, made fun of by a lot of people all over the place for its overt conservatism -- Mormons are populous here, after all. And their voting record en masse confirms it: 67 and 72 per cent for Bush, and 63 per cent for McCain just the other day.

Here is an example of Utah's wild west tendencies:


But it's not all gun shops in Utah. In fact, what I have discovered is that Salt Lake is, as most cities here are, a progressive enclave in a very, very conservative state. The county did vote for McCain by a very small margin (under 2,000 votes), but you might not even guess that by spending some time here.

Public transit here is pretty solid. There is light rail and a free-fare zone. There are a couple of other reasons to call this place progressive, bu my stupid mind has forgotten for the moment. That's a bit disappointing.

I think there was some kind of protest on Capitol Hill yesterday. Something about religion. A guy at a coffee shop just down the street from that gun shop told me that it really is a big deal here, but beneath the surface. It has replaced the racism of his southern upbringing, he said.

I saw some signs on both sides at the Hill.



Oh, here is another shot of the State Capitol. As you can see, Americans love domes.

They also love Capitol Hills. As far as such climbs go, Utah might have the country beaten.


Ouch. But the view from the top? Check this out:



I probably lost a gallon (hey, I'm in America) of water walking up and around this driest of climates, so I am now rehydrating. On to the next stop!

VIDEO: Salt Lake City from the top o' the library

This is a breathtaking view. The video probably won't express it because of the haze in the sky and the relative graininess of my camera. But seriously, the city essentially hits the mountains. Unbelievable. Or, believable, but hard to believe.



Hey, I got a haircut!

Map update: 07 November

Just a quick jaunt over the Rockies to Salt Lake City, Utah. I never thought I'd go to Utah. Just a quick note: In both Denver and Salt Lake, there are free fare zones downtown. And both cities have rapid transit right downtown.

Salt Lake City: First impressions

I haven't flown to many places. Only once outside of Canada, and a handful of times in Canada. So I don't have a lengthy resume of breathtaking landings from which to draw.

But the descent into Utah's capital is something else. Mountains, the Great Salt Lake, what appeared to be a huge network of marshes, and a sunset. If they didn't ask us to turn all electronics off as we hit 10,000 feet, I would have snapped a picture!

Here is a shot courtesy Google Maps that gives an idea. I didn't glide in from space, but you get the picture.

Salt Lake, you're in my crosshairs

I figured out how to get to Salt Lake today, to find the hostel I booked this morning before being shut out by both bus and train: the air.

My chariot has not docked at gate C43 yet, but thanks to Denver Airport's free wireless, I can show you what the gate next to mine looks like, with mountains (way off) in the background. Oh, technology.

Today's task: Make it to the Great Salt Lake

I've been told that city is made entirely out of salt and have decided to bring lots of fresh water. Demandigans!

Then it's back here to Denver because on Sunday: mountains.

UPDATE: It turns out that it was pretty hard to get out of Denver and then get back by Sunday without spending the whole time on a bus. So Denver it is for a little while longer!