Thanksgiving in UT
This year we spent Thanksgiving in UT. Last time we did that was in 2018. We intended to go in 2019 but go defeated by snow, then Covid prevented our travels in 2020 and 2021. As per tradition, we left Tuesday night, ate at Wendy's around Sacramento, and continued to drive through the night. Around 5:00 am traffic was stopped between Wendover and Grantsville. There had been warnings three hours prior that 80 East was closed. Heidi was driving. I woke up and asked, "Did you get pulled over for going 95?"
We had to wait about 20 minutes before they opened up the freeway. One car was totally mangled and looked like it had rolled 20 times. Another had front-end damage, and a 10-wheeler had its right front wheel smashed in. It was nuts.
This is the view from my parents' porch; a view of the Layton temple and Great Salt Lake, or what's left of the lake. Lots of evaporation has shrunken it quite a bit.
On Wednesday we went to the Bountiful Rec center. It was nice. The water was warm but a little heavy on the chlorine.
Hanna helped make Thanksgiving dinner
Mara's preferred picture pose
On Friday we usually go to Boondocks but it was suggested we go to the Rush Funplex because it was supposed to be cheaper. In the end the price was the same. There were the same attractions minus batting cages. The electric go-karts were not as disappointing as we had expected but the whole place was lit by black UV lights and I did not like that. Mini-golfing felt claustrophobic. The kids liked the climbing wall. Scott, Tyler, Blake, Turin and I bowled a round. Scott won with 118 which upset Turin and Tyler. Our kids all preferred Boondocks to the Rush Funplex because of the outdoor attractions and the ability to bring your own lunch and eat it outside.
Had to show the kids my alma mater, Layton High School. I liked high school. I told the kids that I left in the Riv at 7:09 in order to secure a spot in the main parking lot; otherwise, you had to park in the driving range. The kids just couldn't get enough of the absurdity of a driving range. It had been striped to be a regular parking lot now.
Timer on tripod of us in front of the Layton Temple.
We left for CA at 6:20 am and stopped for a sit-down breakfast cafe in Elko, NV, called the Coffee Mug. It was great because they sat us fast, took our orders fast, and the food arrived fast. It was much better than the IHOP where Scott and I had eaten the day prior. He swam with a regional team that practiced at the Bountiful Rec center. I went with him and did about 2000 yards. He said he was faster than they were but felt the effects of the altitude and did not lead. After, we went to the IHOP in Centerville where I used to work. I explained that there were parameters for efficiency: Orders taken within 30 seconds of being seated, breakfast delivered in under 2:00, lunch, 4:00, and dinner, 6:00.
It took them 25 minutes to take our order (and the place was busy but not slammed) and another 20 minutes for the food to arrive.
But the Coffee Mug exceeded our expectations. We got just the right amount of food and everyone was full. It was snowing for an hour before and after Elko.
It was a good trip. I was impressed at how much food my parents kept in their fridges. I'm glad to be home though. Okay, bye.
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