If Idaho is the land of "Famous Potatoes," then the state has some equally famous potato farmers in its assortment of white supremacist and militia groups. Accordingly, we figured it would be best to hurry ourselves on our way.
We did stop to pick up a sandwich in Boise, however, and found ourselves the center of some attention there. Vivian of course is fresh off the boat from Alpha Centauri, and I...well, I quickly was identified as the co-pilot of her spacecraft, clearly Not Local Stock.
For me the most striking thing was that the stares went beyond simple curiosity. There was a mix of perplexity and some consternation, as if our presence was almost threatening. Watch out, look who's moving into the neighborhood, and God forbid they put their Martian love-children in the local schools. It's easy to keep an insular world view living in a homogeneous society, until...
So we rushed south to the enlightened (smirk) Kingdom of Utah, to the little town of Roy, on the banks of the Great Salt Lake, half an hour north of Salt Lake City.
"But, why?" is probably the first question that comes to mind, which is the same question I asked our friend Julio when he moved there a couple years ago. It's a long story, but, keeping things positive, let's say that there are few distractions in Utah, leaving one lots of quality personal time, and Julio has used the chance, among other things, to develop amazing skill at crafting stained-glass windows. So he's made a good time of it.
I'm not sure I could. I found the area bland, antiseptic, and stifling, and I don't mean just the 100+ degree heat. The Salt Lake was interesting with its salt formations, and the scene was beautiful at sunset, especially on Antelope Island. And downtown Salt Lake City itself certainly has more flavor than surrounding environs, but...still...I shan't be moving in the shadow of the Wassatch Mountains any time soon.
Not my plan, Stan.
Miles: 3145
Posted by yozhik at July 15, 2003 05:42 PM