Sights in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake is a visually striking place. Actually, to this Easterner, most of the West is. Who knew that America was mostly brown? (Probably the people from the brown parts.)

In this section I’ll talk about what are probably the two biggest must-sees in Salt Lake – Antelope Island and Temple Square.

Antelope Island – like Monster Island – is not actually and island, but a peninsula. It bursts forth from northwest SLC to plunge its manly tip into the Lake of Salt itself. This SLC-namesake-lake was too cold for a casual tip, but I did taste it and I can confirm that it is salty. I can also confirm that the dead and blasted countryside all around does not smell good.

A small improvement on the scent front, though, are the buffalo. In Antelope Island, the buffalo roam free. Let’s go to the tape.

  • The wasteland around the lake. I could have saved those people. But I didn’t.
  • The lake.
  • A view of the lake and mountains. My poor phone camera really doesn’t capture what it was like to be there.
  • Getting ready to walk in front of our car.
  • Walking in front of our car. A buffalo you can count on.

Right in the heart of Salt Lake City is Temple Square, HQ for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (a.k.a. Mormons). The best part of the visit is easily the free tour you are offered from friendly Mormons. They are happy to answer any questions and show you around for free. They don’t even accept tips.

The Mormons who show you around are on mission. What, on mission in Salt Lake City, you say? Perhaps this will wash the confusion from your face, my friend. Mormons live in many places, not only Utah. And, some of them come to Utah to give tours of Temple Square (and for other reasons as well, I’d imagine). Our guides were from Hawaii and Idaho Pennsylvania.

  • Here’s a view of the square and the uniquely-shaped Church Conference Center.
  • The main temple was under construction and unapproachable :(.
  • A chapel. The flower motif in the windows represents some flowers that the natives apparently taught the settlers here to eat.
  • A statue, rife with symbolism, showing the man who traveled some 40 miles a week to built the temple.
  • A lovely bird-tipped tower.
  • Some downtown buildings seen from the square.
  • Our lovely tour guides.

I’m an atheist, so of course I don’t see history the same way our guides do. I will say though, that just about every Mormon I’ve ever met has been kind, thoughtful and mature. They must have figured out something.