Heading North/SLC

Last Sunday, Oct 17th, I left Kanab and headed up to Salt Lake City, where my friend Cynthia and her husband (of many years), Donald live. You must understand that I'm impressed by anyone who makes it past 4 years, which is my personal best! Anyway, it was a pretty, yet rather sparse drive. And to make matters worse, the day being a Sunday, there were even fewer businesses open than there might have otherwise been. There were actually 3 'towns' I went through that had NOT ONE business open (except one of the towns had a modern gas station and mart to it). One town did have a military memorial in the middle of the town which was nice:

The rest of the scenery was kind of cool - I was driving through Bryce Canyon and it seemed to never end, but in a nice way. There were some ranches dotted all along the way. They looked really nice and I admired them, but I could never live like that...

The first town I came to that had a restaurant open was Marysvale. I had lunch at the Prospector Cafe. At first there was only one other person in there, but people started to show up as I ate. I'm not a burger person but I tried the bacon cheese burger, which was pretty darn good. What was better were the sweet potato fries! They were awesome. Also awesome were the people who started arriving for a late lunch. One couple drove all the way from St. George just for the burgers at the Prospector. For California readers, that's like driving from Northern San Diego to Laguna Niguel; and for Alabama people, that's like going from B'ham to Anniston, just for a burger! That should tell you something right there! I also met the owner, Jerry, and his son/the cook, Sean. Very nice and sincere people. I recommend it, should you find yourself in Marysvale, UT...

Arrived at Cynthia's in the afternoon and they took me out to dinner. Cynthia and I went to school together from 7th grade all the way to graduation. We were also Debutantes together for the annual San Diego Symphony Ball (1978) - alright, I heard the snickering all the way up here in WY, people...

On Monday, Cynthia and I went to a famous place in SLC called Ruth's Diner. First, they give you these bisquits that are bigger than your 2 hands together, free. The BLT was KILLER! And you have to read the story of Ruth - the story is very funny and she must have been a hoot. I highly recommend the place, which is partially situated in a trolley car, up in the hills.

Had a wonderful time in SLC. It's kind of strange being in a big city AND have nature right there with you also, but gorgeous. The day before I left we went hiking up in Mill Creek. This was a lovely picnic/creek area that followed a winding road up into the mountains.

Hated to leave Cynthia's because we could have talked more (I know, I know).

On Wednesday the 20th, I drove north again towards Jackson, WY. For 3 hours, I could not find any restaurants open. I stopped at this cowboy lounge that was open, but the restaurant part was closed. When I say this place was in the middle of nowhere, I'm serious! The owner, Ralph, told me that if I drive about 30 more minutes on that road I would come to Afton, where I would find a restaurant called the Savannah. Ralph said it had the best food and smiling, helpful service. Well, I drove to Afton and tried the Savannah. Ralph, you're a freaking liar! It wasn't a restaurant so much as a cafe/old timey diner. The BLT was okay. But the gals who worked inside wouldn't know a smile if it smacked them in the face. (Maybe that's what they needed, just saying.) Finally gave up on getting any more water or service, so I paid and left. I can say, however that it was cheap. As Rex used to say, "oh comma well".

Got to Jackson late in the afternoon and it was stunning. Remind me later to tell you about the motel I'm staying in - I think it was formerly known as the Bates Motel...