Rocking in the Rockies: Day 13 Salt Lake City

CrispyA · 19 Oct 16, 07:43 PM

Sunday 7 August - Salt Lake City

There was a fairly dramatic thunderstorm through the night but fortunately, the it was all over when we got up. We had planned to have breakfast at the hotel restaurant, The Virginian.

It was clearly a popular choice and we did have to wait for a table but it wasn't a long wait. As it was a Sunday, there were plenty of folk looking very smart in their Sunday best and it was definitely a favourite with the locals. A very doddery old gentleman arrived, and this was Bill, who was clearly well known to staff. They all greeted him and walked him to his table and the care they took was quite touching.

It was probably the best breakfast we had all holiday and really good value to boot. Hannah had a huge plate of huevos rancheros which was a great choice for a veggie, while the rest of us had variations on their standard breakfast. The coffee was lovely and plentiful and we were all pleased with our choice of eating place.

Then it was time to hit the road and do the loonnnggg drive to Salt Lake City. We passed through a number of small towns and as it was a Sunday, almost everyone was at one church or other. We had decided against going as it was a long enough journey but it would have been nice to. We were particularly taken with Smoot - what a wonderful name for a small town!

There were another couple of downpours on the way but we managed to drive through them. We had planned to stop off in Evanston - of course - and visit a Boot Barn - of course. Paul had been after a sheepskin jacket, somewhat akin to the one Rick Grimes wears in Walking Dead. Lo and behold, there was one in Boot Barn and we had a coupon for 15% off. He ummed and ahhed but it fitted him perfectly and after we had reminded him that he works hard and deserves to treat himself now and again, he finally bought it. It is a fine coat and it was a good price so a very satisfying purchase.

Disappointingly there wasn't much else to Evanston. We had hoped for a Dairy Queen or suchlike but the whole town looked like its best days were long behind it, so we pressed on.

The roads got much busier as we entered Utah and it was strange to be on the Interstates again after the quiet byways of Wyoming. We finally arrived in Salt Lake City and checked into the Crystal Inn, which ended up being one of our favourite hotels. The room we had was huge, with 2 sinks which made it even better!

After 13 days travelling, we had plenty of dirty clothes, so nipped to put a wash on while we had a swim in the indoor pool. It was a really nice pool and spa, with a small outdoor seating area alongside. We chilled till the washing was dried and then headed back up to the room, bolstered by the free cookies that had just appeared at the front desk.

The Reception staff were really helpful with maps and information about the tram, which is free all around downtown. We decided to walk to our destination, which was a Mexican restaurant called the Red Iguana. On the way, we walked through this square with a statue commemorating the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Red Iguana is a popular place and we weren't too surprised to have to wait for a table. Well, I wasn't too surprised, but the boys were less than happy. But there were places to sit outside, cool water to drink and music while you waited and so it really wasn't that bad. While we were waiting, a couple of Mexican guys were telling another couple how good the food was, so that was reassuring.

Eventually we got our table and the food was definitely worth the wait. It wasn't your bog standard Tex Mex (not that there's anything wrong with that) and we all really enjoyed it. My pork chili verde was delicious, as was Paul's Colorado chili. Evan had a chimichanga and Hannah had veggie tacos which were a proper meal, rather than an afterthought.

We had toyed with the idea of getting the tram back but we were so full that we thought it would be a good idea to walk some of it off! Salt Lake City is in a great setting - a compact city surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains and we really enjoyed our time there. On our way back we enjoyed seeing the sun starting to set over the mountains.

We also brought out the Blue Steel, although the photographer could have been a little more focused!

A thunderstorm began up in the mountains and we could see the lightning flashing around the tops of them. It never made its way into the valley but it was fascinating to watch it happening all around.

We eventually made it back to the hotel, navigating a number of panhandlers who seemed to congregate around the parks, and collapsed, still trying to digest our gorgeous tea.

Melbatb · 19 Oct 16, 09:29 PM

Food sounds delicious!

Boot Barn sounds like a shop I could do serious damage in!

CrispyA · 20 Oct 16, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by Melbatb

Food sounds delicious!

Boot Barn sounds like a shop I could do serious damage in!

Boot Barn is ace - although we visited so many of them I could probably draw most of the stock from memory!

katiebaz · 23 Oct 16, 08:29 AM

Salt Lake City looks lovely and love the fact that is surrounded by mountains. Btw why have you not got a boot barn loyalty card? .😀

CrispyA · 23 Oct 16, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by katiebaz

Salt Lake City looks lovely and love the fact that is surrounded by mountains. Btw why have you not got a boot barn loyalty card? .😀

I keep asking myself that question!

**WileyCoyote** · 30 Apr 17, 04:41 PM

Sounds a fab place and the food sounded just yummy.
Glad that rain didn't affect the travel !

MichelleS · 22 Jul 23, 04:50 PM

Can I ask whether you felt safe in Salt Lake City

CrispyA · 22 Jul 23, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by MichelleS

Can I ask whether you felt safe in Salt Lake City

Absolutely - it felt like a very safe city and was clean and welcoming

19 Oct 16, 07:43 PM	#1
	19 Oct 16, 07:43 PM CrispyA Imagineer
CrispyA Imagineer Join Date: Oct 11	Rocking in the Rockies: Day 13 Salt Lake City Sunday 7 August - Salt Lake City There was a fairly dramatic thunderstorm through the night but fortunately, the it was all over when we got up. We had planned to have breakfast at the hotel restaurant, The Virginian. It was clearly a popular choice and we did have to wait for a table but it wasn't a long wait. As it was a Sunday, there were plenty of folk looking very smart in their Sunday best and it was definitely a favourite with the locals. A very doddery old gentleman arrived, and this was Bill, who was clearly well known to staff. They all greeted him and walked him to his table and the care they took was quite touching. It was probably the best breakfast we had all holiday and really good value to boot. Hannah had a huge plate of huevos rancheros which was a great choice for a veggie, while the rest of us had variations on their standard breakfast. The coffee was lovely and plentiful and we were all pleased with our choice of eating place. Then it was time to hit the road and do the loonnnggg drive to Salt Lake City. We passed through a number of small towns and as it was a Sunday, almost everyone was at one church or other. We had decided against going as it was a long enough journey but it would have been nice to. We were particularly taken with Smoot - what a wonderful name for a small town! There were another couple of downpours on the way but we managed to drive through them. We had planned to stop off in Evanston - of course - and visit a Boot Barn - of course. Paul had been after a sheepskin jacket, somewhat akin to the one Rick Grimes wears in Walking Dead. Lo and behold, there was one in Boot Barn and we had a coupon for 15% off. He ummed and ahhed but it fitted him perfectly and after we had reminded him that he works hard and deserves to treat himself now and again, he finally bought it. It is a fine coat and it was a good price so a very satisfying purchase. Disappointingly there wasn't much else to Evanston. We had hoped for a Dairy Queen or suchlike but the whole town looked like its best days were long behind it, so we pressed on. The roads got much busier as we entered Utah and it was strange to be on the Interstates again after the quiet byways of Wyoming. We finally arrived in Salt Lake City and checked into the Crystal Inn, which ended up being one of our favourite hotels. The room we had was huge, with 2 sinks which made it even better! After 13 days travelling, we had plenty of dirty clothes, so nipped to put a wash on while we had a swim in the indoor pool. It was a really nice pool and spa, with a small outdoor seating area alongside. We chilled till the washing was dried and then headed back up to the room, bolstered by the free cookies that had just appeared at the front desk. The Reception staff were really helpful with maps and information about the tram, which is free all around downtown. We decided to walk to our destination, which was a Mexican restaurant called the Red Iguana. On the way, we walked through this square with a statue commemorating the 2002 Winter Olympics. Red Iguana is a popular place and we weren't too surprised to have to wait for a table. Well, I wasn't too surprised, but the boys were less than happy. But there were places to sit outside, cool water to drink and music while you waited and so it really wasn't that bad. While we were waiting, a couple of Mexican guys were telling another couple how good the food was, so that was reassuring. Eventually we got our table and the food was definitely worth the wait. It wasn't your bog standard Tex Mex (not that there's anything wrong with that) and we all really enjoyed it. My pork chili verde was delicious, as was Paul's Colorado chili. Evan had a chimichanga and Hannah had veggie tacos which were a proper meal, rather than an afterthought. We had toyed with the idea of getting the tram back but we were so full that we thought it would be a good idea to walk some of it off! Salt Lake City is in a great setting - a compact city surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains and we really enjoyed our time there. On our way back we enjoyed seeing the sun starting to set over the mountains. We also brought out the Blue Steel, although the photographer could have been a little more focused! A thunderstorm began up in the mountains and we could see the lightning flashing around the tops of them. It never made its way into the valley but it was fascinating to watch it happening all around. We eventually made it back to the hotel, navigating a number of panhandlers who seemed to congregate around the parks, and collapsed, still trying to digest our gorgeous tea. __________________ West Coast July - August 2014, Howdy Texas! August 2015, Rocking in the Rockies July - August 2016, Bier, Bratwurst und Bahnsteige: Berlin 2017, Touring Tennessee 2017, Expedition East Coast 2018, Hola! Madrid 2019, Great Lakes Grooving 2019, It's Czech, Mate, Prague 2022, Veni, Vidi, Edi, Bibi Italy 2022 Edited at 09:48 PM.