Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City, UT

November 22nd, 2014

I had a long drive ahead of me as I made my way south. I was headed toward Bear Lake State Park in Utah. With the road through Yellowstone closed for the winter, I had to make my way around the park. US 119 took me through the mountains that surround Yellowstone. The area is loaded with campsites, most closed for the winter, that serve as overflow for the park during the summer. The trees were covered with snow, the creek was still flowing, and the mountains were towering overhead. If you can't get into the park due to crowds, this would be a pretty nice alternative. It was also one of the more relaxing drives I have had.

Sunset in Montpelier, ID

I made it all the way to Montpelier before I checked the weather forecast for the area. Unfortunately the weather was not going to cooperate and it was going to drop to 5° that night, well below my sleeping bags limits. I wasn't even sure that the Bear Lake had campsites available, so I stayed in Montpelier.

Lights behind my hotel for the night

There wasn't much to do in the town, but there was a giant M behind my hotel. I am not sure if it was for the High School, or something else, but I counted them as the first Christmas lights of the season.

Bear Lake State Park

The next morning I made the quick trip down to check out Bear Lake. On the way there, the land was mostly flat, which was a vast difference from the mountainous terrain I was used to. Then, as if appearing out of nowhere, was a giant lake with mountains off in the distance.

It is very much a summer destination and it was mostly abandoned while I was there. The docks were mostly empty, with one or two boats for emergencies. There was no ice in the lake, but I am sure it was far too cold to swim in. The whole area seemed very touristy, like a summer destination for everyone who lived in Salt Lake City. After taking a few pictures by the lake and on top of the mountains on the way out, I made my way towards Salt Lake City.

I had to pass through Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest on my way to Salt Lake City. It was another wooded, winding road through the mountains, which was really relaxing. There was even a ski hill tucked in there, making me wish I had brought my snowboard gear.

Logan, UT

After leaving the national forest, you are greeted with this view in Logan, UT. You are high up overseeing the valley with some mountains off in the distance. I sat in my car and looked around for a few minutes. It is hard to believe there wasn't anyone else stopping to enjoy the view. They must be used to it.

Mormon Headquarters: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I arrived in Salt Lake City shortly after noon. I walked around the church square, which took up quite a large portion of the city. I didn't go inside any of the buildings because a wedding was going on and I didn't think they would appreciate an underdressed onlooker.

I walked around the outdoor mall looking for a decent place for lunch. I eventually pulled out my phone and used Yelp to find Spitz.

Spitz SLC

One of the things I was spoiled with back in Dearborn was Shawarma. I hadn't really had anything remotely close to as good until I stopped at Spitz. Not only was it good Shawarma, it ranked up there with some of the best from Dearborn. Stuffed, I made my way out of the city and continued south.

Salt Lake City was located at a crossroads for me. I had two paths that I could take: I could go east and revisit Arches National Park, or I could head west and visit Zion. I decided that if I was going to revisit Arches, I should likely see if there was anything else around to see. I noticed that Canyonlands was essentially right next to Arches, so Arches won out.

I made it as far as the rest area before US 191, pulled in, and slept in my car for the night.

Pictures of Salt Lake City