Exploring Salt Lake City

Yesterday was busing exploring the Red Butte Gardens, the Hogle Zoo, and "This is the Place" Monument. After catching the #3 bus near the hostel, I was dropped off and then walked about 1/2 mile up hill to the botanical gardens. Paying the small entrance fee, ascending the stairs, walking past the displays of floral art, opening the glass doors and I was out onto the first terrace. Although the map provided suggested a certain route, I, as usual, took my own path heading directly towards the Herb Garden. From there it was a series of discoveries, the fragrance garden, the wedding garden, the rose garden, the water garden, and along the way the paths provided excellent hillside gardens full to overflowing with blooms and color. Stopping occasionally to speak to a volunteer or staff member about a particular plant that I hadn't seen before, I continued my leisurely stroll and came upon a delightful Children's Area. The character of these gardens brought out the child in me, and if hadn't been for the numerous children running about, I would have enjoyed exploring the snake maze, playing a bit more in the water fountain, and relaxing on the lawn.

The snake maze started with the most unique structure that looked like a snake's mouth made out of sphagnum peat moss and ice plants, with a water feature that represented the tongue, all supported by two metal white fangs. The children would enter the snakes mouth and then "snake" along through the maze created by plants and vines to other parts of the garden. Their laughter was the only sign that there were children about as you couldn't see them while they were exploring the maze. Sculptures and creative water features abounded here, including the groto and the extremely intriguing building for children's education programs. From the first sight of this building, I was hooked and had to explore everything I could about it; however, because of the children's programs in progress we couldn't explore inside. As you approached the building it appeared to be set into the hillside with hardly any structure showing but the facade. I could see that there were plants growing on the roof, so I found my way around the building through a series of paths to discover the truth of the building. What appeared to be the hillside was actually a man made berm with a walkway leading up the top of the structure. From the walkway all you could see was a red rock wall and a multitude of plants above it. Ever searching to see how things were put together, the small path lead the way out and onto the live roof with plants and trees galore; and there was even a simple wooden bench at the end of the path to enjoy the views of the surrounding gardens. This was indeed an incredible use of a live roof, so I would love to know how the structure was built. From the facade, part of it being poured in place concrete, I imagine that the roof and back walls were also poured in place concrete, sealed to keep out moisture. I'm still intrigued by this structure.

A short rest in the reception area, with the staff very friendly and having called me a cab, and then I was off to the Hogle Zoo. Paid the small fee after expecting to pay a bit more, handed over my ticket, strolled a bit, entered the rather expansive gift shop hoping to find food, inquired of the two young and friendly girls about food, they obliged with directions, and off I began the zoo adventure. Although hungry I decided just to work my way around to the cafe they suggested and began delighting in the exhibits. From being informed that there was a special free flight bird show at 1 PM, I was ever mindful of the time as I didn't want to miss this. The zoo is small and often times I felt pain for the animals as their enclosures really didn't provide the type of environment for healthy minded animals; however, I did notice the signs and information that they zoo made available about how they kept the animals' minds actively engaged, which I admit helped some in my mind, but I still desired to see the animals with better habitats. The new baby African elephant seemed to be the star attraction, and he was very cute. Continuing passed the elephants, rhinos, safari animals, giraffes, suddenly I saw the sign for the Asian cafe. Those young ladies were correct, the rice bowls were great; but I realized the time so scooped up my bowl and headed off to the bird show.

My heart sank a bit when they informed me that they didn't allow food into the area, so I stood outside to finish my rice bowl and watched the first 7 minutes of the show from outside as the hawks, falcons, eagles, owls, and other birds began flying from extremely high upon a hill and down into the small stadium area, barely clearing the heads of the audience. The ohs and awes were heard as these magnificent birds glided from one area to another. When the talking parrot was brought out, the attendants allowed people to enter again to quickly obtain a seat for the remainder of the program. It was nonstop flying as the various birds were presented and discussed, highlighted in the background by amusing other birds and even some rats that were all trained to provide some comic relief. A Bald Eagle and a Red Eagle were presented last with their large size. The show ended with an announcement that the birds would be accepting donations near the stage, so the people began to line up with each of their children being given a dollar for the donation. Timidly the children raised their dollars up to the birds, who quickly beaked it out of the small awaiting hands and into the fiberglass boxes. With a $5 donation you received a free ride on the zoo's train and the opportunity to have your photo taken with one of the magnificent birds of prey. I selected the Red Eagle.

Having finished the zoo adventures early, I pondered the next attraction. Although from viewing some information the night before and having decided that it didn't seem that appealing, I walked across the street to the "This is the Place" Monument and Village. Impressive and awe inspiring sculpture at the entrance honored the arrival of the Brigham Young party to Utah and the various people that assisted, including Native Americans and Catholic Monks.

As I began to walk into the village, I was transported back in time to dirt roads with wooden sidewalks, lantern lights, log cabins, early pioneer homes and structures. Dressed in period attire the volunteers provided information about the early lives of the Mormon pioneers. It was amazing to read about how these pioneers lived and raised families in extremely small log structures, many of them having upwards to 11 children, all living in a one room cabin. The volunteers were a delight to discuss the life of the early Mormons with, especially when the women who showed how to work the old weaving machines and I discussed the weaving techniques, the way they used insects and plants to create dye for the wool, and how incredible their finished products were. The young man, along with the older man sitting at the small checker table, in the barber shop were a delight to converse with, as they informed me of the fact that many barbers of the time served as dentist, doctors, and just about anything that was needed; including how they used cocaine to numb their patients. Time began slipping away and the buildings began closing, so the final hour was spent walking around reading the plaques with information about the buildings.

After such a long and extremely physically taxing day, I decided it was worth the expense to hire a car to return to the hostel. A short wait for the taxi, an even shorter drive, and onto the sofa, shoes off, feet propped up, and I rested.

What did you learn today that altered how you viewed the world?