Pride 2013

There's a beautiful thing that happens here in Salt Lake City at the start of each summer. It's an entire colorful weekend dedicated to equal rights and the LGBTQ community which believe it or not, rooted in this religious mecca, happens to be quite a large community. And it's wonderful. It's a weekend of sparkle, and dazzle, and glitter, and tutus, and bright colors of the rainbow and most importantly, love. True unbiased love combined with a feeling of "togetherness" unlike any other.
It was amazing to see so many people gathered together  (on a Sunday in Utah, of all days!) for the same cause. Respect. Because in the end, it really doesn't actually matter who loves who and how, so long as we're able to stand united in respect for one another.

(Okay, but seriously, is that my Dad up there?!?)

Hires Big H

I’ve been coming to Hires since, oh I don’t know, since I was 10 at least. It’s actually quite dear to my heart, this little burger joint, and it’s not because it’s dear to everyone in Salt Lake City because it’s been here since 1959. It’s dear to me because it takes me back to sweet memories of Jr. High School showchoir performances, and childhood crushes and warm summer nights and the first time I held baby Ian. It’s just one of those places, the kind that I’ll never stop going to even if it fails miserably at sanitary checks. Okay, maybe then I’ll stop, but so far the sanitation is just fine, don’t worry!
Hires is just comfort food, and it’s goooooood comfort food at that. Try ANY of the famous and/or specialty H’s (veggie H’s if you’re me!) and try to tell me I’m wrong. Those buns! Oh those buns! That’s all I’m going to say. If you reeeally want to experience the Heaven that is Hires, get yourself some fries and fry sauce (you can even buy some to go!) and wash it all down with a Cherry Limeade (or an ice cold root beer if you’re Sean) and thank me later. Oh! And if you want to take a step back in time, or if you’re just lazy like I am, opt for the carhop service. The girls don’t come out in rollerskates but, hey Hires! that’s a great idea!

Tracy Aviary

We celebrated the true arrival of spring (knock on wood) by wandering about the new and improved Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park. As the pictures will prove, it was pretty darn fascinating and holy moly there are some really beautiful (and not-so-beautiful) birds in the world. My favorites were the ever-so-graceful cranes, the colorful and active peacocks and the owls. Oh the owls. When that great horned owl looked straight into my eyes I swear it pierced a hole right through my soul. Those eyes!

For only $7 admission, I highly recommend meandering about the Tracy Aviary. The improved exhibits are clean and beautiful and sure to ruffle your feathers!

Visit the Tracy Aviary's website HERE.

        

The Bayou

Oh this place. This wonderful place. I’m constantly on the hunt for the World’s Best Veggie Burger, and so far, nothing compares to The Bayou’s black bean gift from Heaven above. Sean and I love coming here. Me for the food, and him for the unbelievably large beer selection. Typical. They carry the largest beer selection in Utah, which is definitely worth a mention. The atmosphere is great, the service is friendly and did I mention the food? I’ll mention it again and again, because the food is uhhh-mazing. I recommend sticking to their specialty Cajun and Creole dishes, but no matter what you order, you certainly can’t go wrong.

You can check out The Bayou’s website right here.