What I Loved || Utah Edition
This is the first part in a new series, “What I Loved” where I jot down some of the best things about the many places I’ve gotten to experience first-hand, as a Touristy Semi-Local. (Is that a thing? Well if it is, I would be it!) Keep your eyes peeled for more!
Utah
is an absolutely breathtaking place. The vast variety of landscape is awe-inspiring. Here are just a tiny handful of some of my very favorite places that I will forever treasure from my time there:
The incredible, slightly planetary San Rafael Swell
The odd paradox of snow against red clay earth in Moab
The stark, rugged beauty of Canyonlands National State Park
The essence of cozy, safe towns nestled in the shadows of the Wasatch Front
The vibrancy of the fall leaves in the mountains at Big Springs Park, Provo
The serenity of a fresh snow at the Tibble Fork Reservoir
If those pictures weren’t already enough to convince you that you should love Utah:
- Utah has one of the best park systems, both in public land use and city parks. Splash pads galore! Fantastic playgrounds! Wonderful farmers markets and street fairs! There are so many kids and so many families, the parks are directly proportional to demand.
- Kids can enjoy learning their ABC’s as they drive around, thanks to the ever proud academic letters on mountain sides, or the “Mountain Monograms”.
- There is some really fantastic food in the greater Salt Lake area, thanks to the many start-ups straight from the bright young minds who are eager to make their first mil on a revolutionary idea.
- Completely recreational based venues litter the state: trampoline houses, go-kart tracks, water parks mini-golfing courses…if it is something that would be fun on a date, or for a five year-old’s birthday party, it is commercialized and ready for you to spend your money and have a good time!
- Rivalries run deep. Whichever of the many colleges you may support, you can count on a good ribbing from other collegiate fans.
- There is fantastic mix of Norman Rockwell-type neighborhoods and fast-paced suburban cities, coupled with range land. That gap is narrowing, as more and more people funnel outward, but even now, there is an old-timey feel that begins on the outskirts of the main hub cities. I hope Utah is always able to maintain that unique paradigm. It is one of it’s most appealing qualities.
I loved living in Utah. My eyes loved living in Utah. Everywhere I looked, it was always a feast, whether I was down south, up north, in the middle or visiting the sides. It is the kind of place that makes you feel like crying a little because of the awesome magnificence laid before you, of which you appreciate all the more having left the rat-race of people far away in the cities.
What a wondrous place!
Have you or do you live in Utah? What do you love about this state?
nerdywordybirdy
March 9, 2018 at 8:21 amI passed through Utah once on a cross-country road trip and it is absolutely one of the most beautiful, breath-taking places I have ever seen in my life.
laufvergnügen
March 13, 2018 at 12:57 pmI live in West Texas, which isn’t too far, and have been wanting to go!
Katie
March 13, 2018 at 1:52 pmIt’s worth it!
onanothercoast
March 13, 2018 at 9:45 pmIt looks absolutely stunning! I’ve been wanting to visit Utah for so long! Hopefully I’ll make it there soon!
Katie
March 13, 2018 at 9:52 pmI hope you can!
Jerry Peri
March 23, 2018 at 12:50 pmBreathtaking pics!
Katie
March 26, 2018 at 12:24 pmUtah is an incredible place.
What I Loved || California Edition – Pearls&Grit
January 28, 2020 at 4:18 pm[…] more about my takes on Utah and Wyoming as a Touristy […]