Who Are These Made For?

 

These fairy figurines were on display at a truck stop in Utah.  We see them all over.  There seem to be a LOT of people into this shit.  This, the dreamcatchers, and the t-shirts and blankets with wolves on them.  WTF?

A lot of shelf space was given to these little mystical creatures.  I just don't get it.  Why the truck stop?  Who are they buying this stuff for?  Do they really understand their clientele?  I suppose there are a lot of truckers bringing these figurines back to their wives and girlfriends. 

If Ed ever bought me one of these, I'd try to start a fire with it and watch it melt into a blob of plastic.  I find them creepy and a little odd. They just annoy me.

If you ever need anything like this, you know where to go.  Don't forget to pick up an eagle t-shirt and a wolf fleece blanket, too.  You might as well get the whole double-wide trailer starter pack.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Piazza Principale
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: A Symbol Of The Coming Heat
2018: The Next Five
2017: Vintage Ed
2016: Elixir
2015: March Woods
2014: What A Guy Will Do To Get Out Of Watching Girl TV
2013: Up And Over The Green Mountains Of Vermont
2012: Perhaps She’s A Closet Road Warrior
2011: Fifty-Five Years And Counting
2010: Humor That Needs A Humidifier
2009: Eddie Is He Wearing Trousers?? Friday
2008: Soon To Be Yummy Snack Food
2007: This Is What I’ve Been Doing Lately
2006: 1-800-PRODUCT SATISFACTION
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Waiting Game

Here we are, waiting in the driver's lounge at the Volvo dealership in Utah for a repair to be done on our truck.  It had fairly comfortable chairs, clean bathrooms, a crappy vending machine, and an even crappier coffee station. And we were there for TEN hours.  TEN!

The repair is finally done and we're back on the road but holy moly.  The reason it took so long is because they put the part in, it didn't work, and they had to take it out and do it all over again.  Sheesh!

What's next?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Power And Nature
2023: Sorry, no post on this day. 
2022: Sorry, no post on this day. 
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: A Church Near A Castle
2018: Sock It To 'Em
2017: Linked
2016: Stop And Pray
2015: Stateroom 342
2014: The Higher The Hair, The Closer To God
2013: My Two Cents On Oscar Fashion
2012: A Little Nip Of A Love Affair
2011: It’s A Serious Addiction
2010: Why Play Fantasy Football When You Can Spend Your Time Making Lists For The Halle Experiment?
2009: I Hope There Isn’t Going To Be A Quiz
2008: Sunglasses Required
2007: Golden Eye
2006: Making A List And Checking It Twice
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Vintage Snow

Well, not really “vintage”.  This was just last week in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Worshiping In Adobe
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Country Calling Code 420
2018: Skull Rider
2017: Winter Nuts
2016: Taking A Surf Break
2015: Not So Fat Tuesday
2014: Dinner And A Show
2013: Everything You Need To Live A Bountiful Life Is Inside Of You
2012: From A Bodyguard, To Men Of Honor, To Good Deeds
2011: Just What I Need
2010: Waterfront Dining
2009: The Best Is Yet To Come
2008: It’s Not Just A Medicinal Oil After All
2007: Tracy Hilltop
2006: Calming The Flatulent Tiger
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Going Up

 

I took a photo of these steps at a restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah called El Cholo.  The whole restaurant had a cool design vibe but I thought to snap this staircase while I was in the vestibule (vestibule?  What, am I a hundred??)  waiting for my Uber.  

I love the colors and patterns.  It almost makes me wish I had stairs in my house. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Souper Tasty
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Soaking In European Bubbles
2018: Roasted And Tossed
2017: Only A Boob Drives Into A 'Boob
2016: A Citrus Oasis Awaits Me
2015: Ed Travels Light
2014: La Ventanita
2013: Big Fat Proof Of Your Weight
2012: This Could Be Very Confusing For Men
2011: The King Of Thrift
2010: Dances With Sheepskin
2009: The Seat You Offer Your Arch Enemy
2008: The Man With The Silver Handbag
2007: Silver Snowscape
2006: Let Go Let Flow
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Researching The Best Wines While Buying Tires

 

We are sitting in a dirty tire shop in Utah waiting for them to put new tires on the truck and do an alignment.  There are only four chairs - not super comfortable - and a dirty bathroom, but they do have a few things going for them.  

There are two vending machines (which I’m not partaking in, but which are stocked with good snacks), a Keurig machine with some delicious flavored coffee choices, and a nice ice and filtered water machine.

But what surprises me most is the magazine selection.  In addition to Guns & Ammo and Ratchet & Wrench magazines, they also have Essence and Wine Spectator.

Fancy.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: The Clothing Of A King
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Life Between The Cracks
2018: Well, I'll Be Damned!
2017: My Sentiments Exactly
2016: Ed's Last Look
2015: The Lido Line
2014: Puttin' On The Fritz
2013: Proof That A Snowball Does Have A Chance In Hell
2012: I Just Want Tiny Little Elephants To Massage My Earlobes
2011: App-solutely Crazy
2010: NCIS Investigates The Kitchen Aftermath
2009: Sometimes There Are FOUR Sides To A Story
2008: Made With Pride
2007: Coke Crushes The Competition
2006: Tired And Mute
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Fresh

Snow in Utah.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Land's End
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Trucks Bring It To Them, They Bring It To Us
2018: Cloud Cover
2017: Vintage Sip
2016: Amateur Arborists
2015: Sea Day
2014: Art Deco Color
2013: Formed Around A Grain Of Sand
2012: Pinwheels, Cartwheels, What’s The Difference?
2011: Maybe You Left It On Mars
2010: The Art Of A French Cooking Friend
2009: Eddie Supervises Friday
2008: Squeaky Clean
2007: Rushing No More
2006: My Constant Gardner
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

D.I.Y. Visual Merchandising

 

While shopping in Hobby Lobby over the weekend, Ed took it upon himself to exercise his creative juices and create a display from the items being sold in the store.

He found a painting of a beach, took a few metal lawn ornaments, draped them in Hawaiian leis, and strung a flamingo garland across the whole setup.

I was browsing in another section of the store and I kept getting texts with each step of his creation - first the beach painting, then the frogs, then the caterpillar, then all of them wearing leis, then the group with feather boas, and finally, the pièce de résistance…the string of flamingos.

We might be on to something here.  I think Hobby Lobby should hold design contests where they give a shopper shelf space and then the shopper creates their own display using items found in the store.  Think of the possibilities!  Well, you don't even have to think, you can just look at the picture.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Death Defying Entertainment
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Slow Skate Slow Jam
2018: Running Through Hollywood In The Desert
2017: Demo Day
2016: What? This Is Perfectly Normal.
2015: Inside The Walls
2014: What A Difference A Day Makes
2013: The Inner Path To The Outer Banks
2012: The Greatest Love Of All
2011: Step It Up
2010: It May Not Be EVERY Day You Learn Something New, But It’s Certainly True Of THIS Day
2009: Dreams Of Do-It-Yourself Dolloping Come True
2008: Rest In Peace Sweet Green Eyed Beauty
2007: George And Ira
2006: Zip It Up!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Plying The Sister Wives With Ale

Every time we're in the Salt Lake City, Utah area, we stop in at Winger's for their famous wings - the ones with the spicy and sweet Amazing Sauce. 

While there, I saw this sign hanging in the bar area.

You can't tell me the Mormons don't know how to have fun!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Peace Run
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: A Parade Of Light For The Year Of The Pig
2018: Three Hippie Chicks And Me
2017: The Fanciest Digs In Town
2016: Moon Rising
2015: Almost There
2014: Winter Water Running Through Watertown
2013: The Pretty Pink Sailor
2012: Many Thanks To Those Of You Who Come To Peer Through My Window
2011: And I Thought My Feet Were Big!
2010: ABC. Easy As 123. As Simple As Do Re Mi, ABC, 123, Baby You And Me
2009: Under The Black Palm Tree
2008: The Zoo In Stateroom 7377
2007: Pillars
2006: Fiori Di Como
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

A Light Dusting

Mountains in West Valley City, Utah. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Feather Dancer
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Discover The Magic
2018: Garlic Is Life
2017: The Queen Of Copper's King
2016: Working The Land
2015: Pre-Columbian Toothlace
2014: Who Needs Sochi? We've Got Watertown.
2013: On The Brink Of A Duel
2012: Cheap And Accessible
2011: What’s In A Name?
2010: Missing The Day
2009: Shameless Self Promotion
2008: Dwarfed By A Behemoth Of The Sea
2007: Ditched
2006: Hudson River Solitude
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

History All The Way Back To The Boot

 

This is my setup at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.  This place has the largest collection of genealogical records in the world and has been invaluable to me in my family history research.

Last year, while my husband and his father were out golfing with family, I spent days at the library researching my ancestors.  The amount of information here is astounding and the help the volunteers provide is invaluable.  

I look forward to every visit to Salt Lake City because I know if there's extra time in our schedule, I'll be spending a few hours here.  

There are satellite locations all over the nation, allowing you access to their records.  Check out their website to find the one nearest you.

You may be amazed at what you'll find!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Smooth Operator
2018: The Road To A New Beginning
2017: We The People
2016: Two Old Ladies And A Truck
2015: Leaving San Diego In A Lavender Glow
2014: Thin And Crispy. Just How I Like 'Em
2013: Amber Jack
2012: Adding A Poodle To The Mix
2011: If…
2010: How The West Was Fun
2009: Pecking Order
2008: The Sympathy Train Stopped Dead In Its Tracks
2007: Shalom
2006: A.D.I.D.A.S.
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Rugged And Inhospitable

A view of the mountains in Kane County, Utah.  This photo was taken from a road within the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. 


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: Stop And Smell The Makeup
2017: Hours Of Silence
2016: Boot Up
2015: It's Always Pie Day In Shipshewana
2014: Clap Along If You Feel Like A Room Without A Roof
2013: On The Run
2012: The Town Under The Giant Oak Tree
2011: Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
2010: Yeah, Cause Heidi Klum Is So Easy To NOT Notice
2009: Busy Week
2008: Small, Yet Mighty
2007: Zen
2006: Riding The Rusty Rails
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

It Took $1000 To Get This Town Named

Descending into Coalville, Utah on Interstate 80 westbound.

From the Wikipedia entry for Coalville:  "In 1854 the territorial government in Utah offered a $1000 reward to anyone who could find coal within 40 miles of Salt Lake City. Four years later, Thomas Rhodes found a coal vein in the Chalk Creek area, and coal mining began in earnest.  Hundreds of tons of coal were shipped to Salt Lake City, and soon a narrow gauge railroad was built.  The settlement was renamed Coalville as a result of this early success mining coal."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: Go Fish
2017: Flatout New York
2016: Hill Town Transportation
2015: 651 Miles To Go

2014: I May Not Love Your Traffic, But I Do Love You

2013: Astonished That Anyone Could Schedule All Those Things

2012: A World Of Imagination Left Behind

2011: Betty’s Got It Going On

2010: Don’t Miss The Latest On TDR. Today At Eight, Noon, Six, And Midnight

2009: No Hothouse In Sight

2008: ’Till The Cows Come Home

2007: Salt Lake City Special

2006: It’s More Expensive To Say No

2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

View From The Hill

A view of the Wasatch Range from Hill Air Force Base near Roy, Utah.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: Where Congress Is Cool
2017: Inside The Queen
2016: Glorious Tulips
2015: Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
2014: ¡Bienvenido! 
2013: We Couldn't Catch Him
2012: It’s Vital For My Existence
2011: Boxed In By Hills
2010: Ask A Trucker
2009: Getting Our Truck Tweaked While Making New Friends And Enjoying A Free Lunch Pie*
2008: Sunglasses Also Required Here
2007: Windows Vista, Trucker Style
2006: Being A Girl Again
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

Between The Swell

Spotted Wolf Canyon rest area on Interstate 70 in Utah, about 30 miles west of Green River.

The interstate bisects the San Rafael Swell, dividing it into north and south sections.

The plaque at the rest area reads as follows:

"They call it the San Rafael Reef, a 30-mile long stone barrier, a sawtooth ridge at the eastern edge of nowhere.  For centuries, only the most intrepid travelers found their way through its narrow slot canyons and on to the Green River crossing.  The early Spanish explorers detoured 20 miles north to avoid the forbidding wall. 

In 1883 the Denver and Rio Grand Railroad also avoided breaching the Reef, laying track just east of its sheer walls, north to Salt Lake City.  In 1957 the decision was made to increase the nation’s interstate highway system and I-70 was engineered to bisect the San Rafael Swell. 

Here, at Spotted Wolf Canyon, workers would stand and touch both walls of the canyon before construction began in October 1967.  Engineers and surveyors used body harnesses and ropes to work as high as 400 feet above the canyon floor.  Crews excavated 3.5 million cubic yards of rock from the area at a cost of $4.5 million for eight miles of road. 

On November 5, 1970, the Utah Department of Transportation opened the 70-mile section from Fremont Junction to Green River for two-lane traffic.  Two more lanes were added in the mid-1980s."



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Don't Monkey With The Meat
2016: The Image Character Of Poop
2015: Buckeye Affluence
2014: Snaking Through Idaho
2013: Fun Funky Freaky Friday The 13th
2012: Scooting Around Town
2011: Eureka! Sand For The Golden State
2010: Eddie Lounging In Black And White
2009: Not Quick Enough For A Sunset
2008: We’ve Got Onions, Cream Cheese, And Choppers!
2007: Just Steps Away From The River
2006: The Anything But Itty Bitty Co-Op City
2005: What The Hell Are You Looking At? 

Guarding The Hill

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II - a tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy - stands guard in front of Hill Aerospace Museum at the north end of Hill Air Force Base, located five miles south of Ogden, Utah.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Fragrant Bouquet
2016: Mesilla Valley Morning
2015: Ready, Set, Sell!
2014: Squeaky Clean Reflection
2013: Bicycles Liberate, Espresso Invigorates
2012: Playing For Gas Money
2011: Faceted Beauty For Less Than Three Bucks
2010: Triple FFF-18
2009: Hot Tuna Doesn’t Get Any Play In My Truck
2008: Corn Fed Summer
2007: Eddie Breaks The Rules Friday
2006: The Chicks Of Dixie
2005: Text Me

Flightless

An ostrich at the roadside petting zoo in Scipio, Utah.

The petting zoo we stopped at in Utah - and only because it's located adjacent to a small truck stop - had peacocks, donkeys, alpaca, ostriches, and even a camel!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Halo Of Color
2016: Western Exposure
2015: Heroes And Legends In South Tucson
2014: A Decade Of Love, Travel, And Monkey Business
2013: Thirty-Thousand Square Feet Of Stuff To Spend Money On
2012: Truckin’ With Ed
2011: Way Better Than Seven Years In Tibet
2010: His Charm And Understated Humor Is Totally Contagious
2009: The Creature Comforts Of Home
2008: Checklist
2007: Happy As A Clam
2006: Two Things
2005: Good For Licking

Peacocks In The High Desert

A peacock at the Scipio Petting Zoo in Scipio, Utah.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: The Place Beyond The Pines
2016: He Needs A Personalized Plate
2015: Get Down With Oscar
2014: Embrace The Heat Of Miami
2013: Oh, To Be A Kid
2012: Kind Of Like A Virtual Celebrity Bodyguard
2011: Jack & Jill Went Up A Hill To Fetch Some Aircraft Parts
2010: Live Longer. Live Better. And Be Sure To Have A Devil Dog Once In A While.
2009: How Can You Not Be In Love With The Man Who Invented Kisses?
2008: And We Wonder Why We’re The Fattest Nation On Earth
2007: Star Gazing
2006: Only A Southerner
2005: Do You Take Wolfgang Winkelmeyer To Be Your Lawful Wedded Husband?

Historic Dining

I was walking in downtown Salt Lake City when this building between two modern buildings caught my eye.

It reminded me of the story about Edith Macefield of Seattle, who wouldn't sell her house (not even for a million dollars!) and commercial developers built around her on three sides.

The late nineteenth century building in this photo, one of Salt Lake City's most historic, now houses a restaurant called Martine.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Urban Fighter
2016: Throw Back (Way Back!) Thursday
2015: West Texas Depot
2014: Plymouth Trawler
2013: Miles Of Sky And Some Reading Material
2012: Calling All Questions
2011: Rolls-Royces, Sun Kings and Teardrops
2010: Less Is More
2009: A Look At An Oil Baron’s Lookout
2008: Spring In The Maritimes
2007: Envisioning A Huge BLT Sandwich
2006: Eddie’s New Passion Friday
2005: Sorry, no post for this day.

Ten Levels Of Party Space

The exterior of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

"For over 100 years, The Joseph Smith Memorial Building has been providing guests from all over the world with exceptional service and hospitality. Previously named the Hotel Utah, construction on the building began in 1909. Two years later in 1911, the hotel opened for business. During its 76 years as a hotel, the Hotel Utah was internationally recognized for its elegance and world-class service, attracting people from US presidents and celebrities to tourists.

At the center, the building has a concrete and steel structure and is covered with white glazed terra cotta and brick. Many additional remodeling projects have been completed over the years. In 1987, the Hotel Utah was closed for renovations. The building reopened in 1993 as a social center and was renamed The Joseph Smith Memorial Building." 

The lobby of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

Temple Square and the surrounding area in Salt Lake City, Utah is beautiful.  The buildings are historic, the grounds are meticulous, and the streets are immaculate.

This building is beautiful, inside and out.  It's perfect for a special event and is definitely an excellent choice for a wedding venue.  They have several banquet rooms to choose from, and from the photos I've seen, I think my choice would be the Empire Room. 


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Eliminator
2016: Nuzzle Me
2015: A Burst Of Color In Texas
2014: It Really Is Just A Rock
2013: Lattes And Love Stuff
2012: If You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get
2011: Feeling Great About Hands And Breasts (Even If They’re Drooping)
2010: It Pays To Blog About Life On The Road
2009: Bringing A Little Tropical And Some Pretty In Pink To The Trucking World
2008: My Kind Of Festival
2007: Happy Memorial Day
2006: Closing The Age Gap
2005: Sorry, no post for this day.