Salt Lake City is a stimulating and inspiring place to visit.  The valley that is bordered on the east by the Wasatch Mountain range and the west by the Bonneville Salt Flats is a interesting contrast in geography.  We set up at the Air Force FAMCAMP (Family Camp) at Hill Air Force Base, near Layton, UT, north of Salt Lake City.  Hill is a nice location, close to facilities on base and local shopping.

We had visited the Salt Lake area twice before for a month or more each time.  We felt we had seen most of the sites we wanted to see and planned for a nice, relaxing stay while we waited for the weather to warm up in Washington.

The Salt Lake area is known for its high winds and we were not disappointed.  One day the radio and TV were broadcasting high wind warnings.  We stowed chairs and loose items in preparation and it was a good thing.  During the night we could feel the trailer rocking from the gusts of wind.  The next morning we heard that there were 70 mph winds in our area and gusts of 90 mph just south of us.  There were reports of downed power lines and we saw tree branches on the ground all over the base.

The city of Ogden has developed numerous bicycle and walking/running trails.  We rode the Weber/Ogden River Trail and enjoyed to views of the mountains of the Wasatch Range in the background.

I don’t think anyone should visit the Salt Lake area without seeing Temple Square and listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  You can arrange to a guided tour of the Temple building and the Conference Center.  There are two Visitor Centers as well as the Church History Museum.  Many of us know little about the Mormon religion and these sites offer a great opportunity to learn.  We were guided through the Assembly Hall and Tabernacle by two Mormon Sisters, one from the Philippines and one from Micronesia.  

We had a light dinner in the Utah Hotel’s Nauvoo Cafe before we attended the Thursday rehearsal of the Tabernacle Choir.  Their rehearsals are open to the public and a great experience.  The Choir has over 400 members and is backed up by a full orchestra.  What a wonderful way to spend an evening!

We spent the remainder of our time taking it easy.  We celebrated Mother’s Day with a buffet at one of the clubs on base.

Monday, May 9th, we were on our way to Mountain Home, ID.