Utah Trip: The Seagull

I forgot to mention the seagull in the previous post about Temple Square.

Did you know that the California Gull is Utah's state bird? Not for the reason you're probably thinking ... that the Great Salt Lake is nearby.

Rather, it is due to Mormon folklore. I found this description online that is nearly the same that was relayed to me by a missionary at Temple Square on my last visit about 10 years ago:

The California gull was selected as the state bird in 1955. The gull is considered the state bird of Utah, probably in commemoration of the fact that these gulls saved the people of the State by eating up the Rocky mountain crickets which were destroying the crops in 1848.

Orson F. Whitney says that in the midst of the devastation of the crickets, "when it seemed that nothing could stay the devastation, great flocks of gulls appeared, filling the air with their white wings and plaintive cries, and settled down upon the half-ruined fields. All day long they gorged themselves, and when full, disgorged and feasted again, the white gulls upon the black crickets, list hosts of heaven and hell contending, until the pests were vanquished and the people were saved. After devouring the crickets, the gulls returned "to the lake islands whence they came."

The missionary's version of the story said that the birds gorged on the crickets, then flew off presumably to the Pacific Ocean from whence they came, disgorged the crickets into the sea, and then returned until the fields were cleared.

The Sea Gull Monument in Temple Square features two sculptured gulls standing atop the monument. You can see the monument to the pioneers, mentioned in the previous post, in the background.
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Utah Trip: Temple Square

Temple Square, the location of the most prominent Mormon Temple, is literally (not geographically) the center of Salt Lake City. The city's streets are numbered in relation to their distance from the Temple. 100W is the first street West of the temple, 100S is the first street south of the Temple, 100E is East and 100N is North. So if you are at 500E 500S, you are five blocks East and five blocks South of the Temple. (And you'd be at Trolley Square mentioned in the last post.)

The following description of the Temple was taken from a sign.

Salt Lake Temple
The temple is used by Church members for marriages and other sacred ordinances designed to strengthen families, both now and for eternity. Begun in 1853, it was completed forty years later. Granite rock used in this construction was hauled twenty-three miles by ox-drawn wagons from Little Cottonwood Canyon. The walls are nine feet thick at the ground level and narrow to six feet thick at the top. The east center tower is 210 feet high and is topped by the statue of an angel heralding the restoration to earth of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days.

Little Cottonwood Canyon is where the world-famous Snowbird and Alta ski resorts are located. The angel atop the Temple is Moroni.


The Tabernacle, most famous for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, is located directly across from the Temple in Temple Square.


Assembly Hall is a Victorian Gothic congregation hall in Temple Square.


I found the Handcart Pioneer Monument very stirring when I stopped to realize the strength of the pioneers crossing the country and all the obstacles they encountered. Amazing people.


Here are a couple statues on the grounds. They appeared religious in nature so I didn't bother to stop and read the placards.


As a gardener, I really appreciated the landscaping.


Across from Temple Square is the Latter Day Saints Conference Center with a running stream cascading down the side from the roof.


The whole downtown Mormon complex is quite impressive and it saddens me that they use their money and influence to do everything they can to keep people down rather than just raising themselves up.
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Utah Trip: Around Salt Lake City

Utah is the Beehive State. Utahns relate the beehive symbol to industry and the pioneer virtues of thrift and perseverance.


Trolley Square is a retail center that is in an old factory space. In New York City, it probably would have been converted to condos in the meatpacking district. I really enjoy walking through but most of the space is vacant. There is a Banana Republic, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, and a few specialty shops sprinkled in between.


When I was looking for parking close to Temple Square, I found this interesting low-tech parking system. It is essentially an honor system. You park in a numbered space, proceed to this board, literally fold up your money, and push it in the corresponding slot. You haven't "officially paid" until the money is completely in the slot so they suggest you use your car key to push it in all the way. There are no attendants. I wasn't staying all day so I left, honest Abe that I am, and paid 50¢ at an on-street metered space rather than waste $5 or take a spot and not pay. For me, at least, the honor system worked!

Utah Trip: Utah State Capitol & Capitol Hill

After I arrived, I was in the rental car by 1 o'clock and on my way to downtown Salt Lake. It was about 90˚F and sunny.

First on the agenda was the Utah State Capitol and the surrounding area of Capitol Hill.


This statue commemorates the Mormon Battalion that served during the Mexican-American War.


The original White Memorial Chapel, across the street from the Capitol, is in the 18th ward and dates back to 1883. It was rebuilt in an LDS Gothic revival style and the chapel now holds non-denominational services.

The following description of the Chapel was taken from a sign.

The 18th Ward Chapel
The 18th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one of the original nineteen ecclesiastical wards of Salt Lake Valley, was organized Feb. 14, 1849. Early congregations consisted of families of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Newell K. Whitney. Meetings were held in boweries, then Brigham Young's schoolhouse on East South Temple Street. In 1880 Don Carlos Yound deeded a lot on A Street and 2nd Avenue where the orignial chapel, of Gothic Revival style, was built (Obed Tayor, architect). It was dedicated Jan. 14, 1883 and demolisthed in 1973. This 18th Ward replica, dedicated June 27, 1980, remains a permanent example of early Utah Gothic architecture (Steven T. Baird, architect). The present site was acquired through an act of the Utah State Legislature in 1975. Original parts salvaged and used in this replica include: steeple, cornerstone, window frames, doors, benches, pulpit, and the stained glass window.

The Old City Hall building is now home to the Utah Office of Tourism and has a visitors information center with gift shop. There were uniquely painted bison on the sidewalk at each of the front corners of the building.


Down the hill and close to Temple Square is the Gibbs-Thomas-Hansen House circa 1895.

Utah Trip: To and Fro

Well, the week was practically perfect.

I started by redeeming frequent flyer miles for the trip. United charges a standard $10 processing fee and have recently instituted an additional fee that escalates the closer you book your flight to when you will be leaving. My fee was $75. And I had to use double the miles since the "cheaper free" seats weren't available when I wanted to go. So, for those of you keeping track, it was $85 plus 50,000 miles for my free trip.

From Albany to anywhere out West on United Airlines, there's always a change of planes in Chicago's O'Hare. I like the airport but I've been stuck there on many occasions due to inclement weather. Usually when I'd come home from California for Christmas.

The early morning flight went off without a hitch.

For those of you who've never been to the United Chicago terminals, they are really impressive. Light, airy, roomy. A great design that welcomes millions of people a year.


I had time to get a bite to eat during the layover. The airlines don't serve food anymore. Not even peanuts if the flight is short. So I went to my favorite little hot dog and hamburger stand: Billy Goat Tavern and Grill. This is an airport location of the famous Chicago restaurant. You may know it best from the Saturday Night Live skit in the 70's where you ordered "Cheezborger! Cheezborger!" and were admonished with "No Pepsi - COKE!" if you chose the wrong drink.


Then it was on to Salt Lake City. I had a window seat toward the back of the plane. A rather large man sat in the middle seat and apparently was a stock trader because I was treated to multiple incoming and outgoing cell calls instructing some people located somewhere to "Sell!" He was frantically checking his pager and a number of electronic doohickies.

Then I smelled it.

Shit. I was in the back near the bathroom, and if I was going to have to smell a malfunctioning toilet the whole way, it was gonna be a long journey. But the smell came and went. Hmmm. And just when stock slob turned toward me to bark another order into his phone, I nearly fainted as the green fog hit my olfactory nerves. Great. I got fat toilet breath next to me. I just turned and looked out the window until I was able to go to sleep. Problem solved.

Until...

We're starting our descent and toilet breath's leg starts rubbing up against mine. I ever so lightly moved my leg a millimeter at a time away, but his leg followed. This encouraged him to spread his legs...I wasn't sure if giving him the opportunity to make more room to sport wood was the best idea. I did a major shift in my seat and crossed my legs away from him. I looked over and his eyes were closed. Dreaming? Perhaps. Or clever ruse.

In SLC, I had rented a medium size car from Advantage through carrentals.com. They were both unknowns to me, and the price was so cheap ($110/5 days/intermediate) I figured something was fishy. No problem, though, as I drove away in a Chevy HHR minivan (like a PT Cruiser). Only catch was that it was UT law to carry liability, and since I no longer have a car and insurance, I had to buy that at $12/day. An unexpected expense but I understand why.

On my return trip, I brought my skis with me. They've been in my friends' garage for over 10 years so it was time I took care of it. I was stressed that I was going to get hit with a large supplemental charge but I wasn't. I check them curbside and paid $2 United charge and tipped the guy $3 since he also got my boarding passes.

The flight from SLC to O'Hare was without incident and there was no one in the middle seat so I slept without molestation the entire time.

One bad thing about the United Chicago terminal is that it is huge. Concourse C is a large island with about 30 gates and it is connected to Concourse B through an underground walkway equipped with moving sidewalks. It is hard to see here...there are neon lights along the ceiling that put on a show with tinkling music.


United also flies out of Concourses E and F and my connecting flight to Albany was in Concourse F...in Terminal 2. It is a long hike. Once I got there, my flight was canceled due to lightning storms in Albany. I was booked on the next flight four hours later.

The silver lining is that I discovered there is a shuttle bus that goes between gates C9 and E2. That will definitely save me time, and a sore shoulder from lugging around my carry-on dufflebag, on future trips.

Another silver lining was that I sat on an aisle, diagonally behind a DILF. Did you ever see someone and think they have the perfect life? Early 30's, total babe, stylish, cute wife, two adorable kids. Sigh. I daydreamed the whole flight.

I was supposed to be home about 7 and I walked in the door after midnight. It was a long day!
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