My Playground

There are some negatives to living in Salt Lake City. There is an embedded cultural intolerance of those who aren't members of the local religion. It's kind of a perpetual do as we want you to do ... that pervades everything from local and state governments to how schools are run to strict control how a person can buy an alcoholic beverage. People will sometimes joke that when you enter Utah you need to set your watch back 100 years. It's not a joke.

But on the positive side, you won't find a better place to live if you like recreating outdoors. I'm not talking about the outdoor activities that involve 3 cylinder gas engines, a lot of noise and the smell of dust and gas in the air (although there are plenty of things to do around here if that is your idea of fun in the outdoors - it's just not my thing). From the front door of my house I can drive 45 minutes and be at any of about 50 trailheads, 7 world class ski resorts, and dozens of places to cross-country ski, mountain bike, snowshoe, and fish. If you drive more than 45 minutes, the opportunities just increase.



Dominating the skyline to the east of the city is the Wasatch Range which is home to 5 canyons which are home to all the aforementioned activities.

I haven't taken full advantage of all these in my nine years here because of some undiagnosed muscle problems in my back and legs. After finding a specialist who was actually able to fix me, I'm starting to get out more often. And I'm just loving it!

Now that walking downhill doesn't bring significant pain, I'm thinking about dusting off my old film cameras and carrying them into the backcountry again. See if I'm any good as a still photographer.