THURSDAY:
7:00 PM - My mom and I arrived into Salt Lake City. The baggage claim was surrounded by Mormon missionaries and stylish skiiers and snowboarders, all whom were ready for adventure. We boarded a shuttle for a quick 30 minute drive to Park City's Canyons Resort.
*HIGHLIGHT: Meeting Zach - a former 20-something engineer who quit his job to do what he loved and demo skiis at the summit of Canyons. Zach quickly became a common character throughout the week, running into him all over the mountain was not a surprise.
*HIGHLIGHT: Meeting Zach - a former 20-something engineer who quit his job to do what he loved and demo skiis at the summit of Canyons. Zach quickly became a common character throughout the week, running into him all over the mountain was not a surprise.
9:00 PM - Dinner at one of "Park City's Best Restaurants," The Farm. I had the free range fried chicken, savory waffle, confit, leeks, with maple and ham broth -- it was delicious, Colonel Sanders would have been so jealous!
*HIGHLIGHT: Meeting a girl who graduated from my sweet alma mater 2 years after me, thank goodness for our distinctive class rings that help us all connect!
*HIGHLIGHT: Meeting a girl who graduated from my sweet alma mater 2 years after me, thank goodness for our distinctive class rings that help us all connect!
FRIDAY:
9:00 AM - Our first day on the very vast mountain after buying a new ski jacket (because I forgot mine) and gathering our lift tickets and ski gear we hit the very vast slopes.
*HIGHLIGHT: New sights!
*HIGHLIGHT: New sights!
12:45 PM - We took advantage of the Canyons experienced network of instructors and had a private ski lesson with Martin Martin -- an Australia native and one of the best ski instructors, I'm not just saying that he's legitimately certified as one of the best. We lucked out!
*HIGHLIGHT: Because Martin has been an instructor at the Canyons for over 10 years he took us all over the mountain away from crowds and lift lines.
*HIGHLIGHT: Because Martin has been an instructor at the Canyons for over 10 years he took us all over the mountain away from crowds and lift lines.
5:00 PM - Park City's free public transportation allowed us to head into town from the resort with ease for dinner at the delicious Purple Sage. We sat at the bar for a chance of scenery and conversation with the bartender.
*HIGHLIGHT(S): Meeting a guy from Sweden on the bus who was very friendly and insightful about traveling (those Europeans always are) AND conversing with Purple Sage's bartender, who SURPRISE, quit her job to move to Park City.
*HIGHLIGHT(S): Meeting a guy from Sweden on the bus who was very friendly and insightful about traveling (those Europeans always are) AND conversing with Purple Sage's bartender, who SURPRISE, quit her job to move to Park City.
SATURDAY:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Windy and snowy conditions made for "fun" conditions on the slopes. Luckily we survived, though icicles formed on our faces and I found I needed to wear more layers.
*HIGHLIGHT: Canyons has a heated chair lift, "The Orange Bubble" it shields from wind and snow and keeps riders warm on the long ride up the mountain
*HIGHLIGHT: Canyons has a heated chair lift, "The Orange Bubble" it shields from wind and snow and keeps riders warm on the long ride up the mountain
6:00 PM - Dinner at Bandit's Grill and Bar on Main Street in Park City with my cousin Jack and his girlfriend Terri. There was no need for a reservations and no wait, it is a pretty large restaurant and the portions are huge, too!
*HIGHLIGHT: Since Jack and Teri are "Utahns" they took us to a Banksy mural off of Main Street just a block or two up from Bandit's after dinner.
SUNDAY:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - After our third day in a row eating breakfast at Murdock's (I wish I had one where I lived, it was so good). We hit the slopes again for bluebird skies and diamond dust everywhere. An absolutely beautiful way to spend our last day in Utah.
*HIGHLIGHT: PERFECT WEATHER!
*HIGHLIGHT: PERFECT WEATHER!
7:30 PM - Another trip into Park City to shop and eat. Main Street in Park City is lined with various art galleries that you MUST pop your head into. There are great works to see (and even buy if you're feeling like supporting exceptional creativity). Tonight's dinner? At High West, a whiskey distillery and saloon. It was delicious and proved why it is such a hot spot in the city for locals and tourists, alike.
*HIGHLIGHT: Other than the great atmosphere and delicious food. We had the best server EVER. Geoff, the bartender upstairs treated us like QUEENS! We let him pick out our entire meal from appetizer to dessert and he did not go wrong! Speaking of which..I need to learn how to make deep fried Krispie Kreme's with whiskey whipped ice cream (that will be 2014's New Years Resolution.)
Utah was an absolute blast with my mom and the adventure will be hard to top -- activity, art and great eats and awesome people? What more could someone ask for -- and Park City has it all! Next stop on [12X13]: Charleston, South Carolina -- THIS WEEKEND!
What an awesome trip! Makes me want to go back. Wild how many folks "quit their jobs" to live the life, eh?
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