June 30, 2013 Sunday – Salt Lake City
Me: Is it always this hot this time of year in Salt Lake City?
Plaza Hotel concierge: No. It’s usually hot in the 90’s but it’s unusual that it’s over 100 this week.
Yes, another 105F+ day of our vacation.
When my husband told me how much we were paying for 3 nights at the Plaza Hotel, I was leery. Images of cockroaches, paper thin towels, and mattresses that sink to the floor came to mind.
But I had no complaints. The Plaza Hotel was walking distance to the Temple Square and a mall, and very close to other tour sights that we intended to see. The only thing that bothered me was the loud sound of the pipes when water is being used. We brought ear plugs so that won’t be a problem.
First order of business was finding a place for dinner. It’s Sunday and just about everything was closed. We settled on a little Chinese restaurant that was reminiscent of the restaurant that my parents owned. Combination dinners, foiled wrapped chicken, fried shrimp, egg rolls…but the taste and quality was not up to par. My aunt, the chef at our family restaurant, was an excellent cook. I miss her egg foo young and tomato beef chow mein.
It’s Sunday and normally we would like to go to church for worship. But our drive and timing did not make it possible for us to do so. But as we focus our hearts and minds on God, we were filled with praise and worship as we took in the sights of the greatness of His creation in Mesa Verde, Arches, and all along our drive. It’s humbling and exhilarating to be so close to the wonders of nature.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth! ~ Psalm 8:3-9
July 1, 2013 Monday – Salt Lake City
We spent several hours at the Tracy Aviary. My husband would’ve slept through the whole thing if he could. But he’s a good sport and goes along. But my daughter and I find everything interesting.
Most memorable – a very cute owl just like you would see as a cute drawing, and a falcon’s wings that brushed my face as he flew by (during a show).
After that we did more walking at the Natural History Museum – indoors with air conditioning. This museum kept my husband’s interest. The architecture of the building and displays were beautifully done.
Most memorable – see-through plexiglass floor that shows dinosaur bones to simulate an archaeological underground dig and the grand entrance lobby of the museum.
What’s for dinner? Another Guy Fieri recommendation, Pat’s BBQ. Interesting to note: The clientele there were all at least twice my size, and there were only 2 other women out of about 8 tables of customers. We were not the typical people they serve here.
I give it a 3-star. I was disappointed that the ribs were not more tender.