We spent a few days going home to Utah to visit some family. As we flew over the Great Salt Lake, I was filled with that joy that comes from returning home. The light playing off the salt water below was really beautiful.
It was to be a really quick trip with only 3 full days to enjoy the family, the food, and all the winter delights. I love winter, especially in the mountains. And the first sight of the mountain by my house made my heart happy.
Normally we would stay at a family member’s house, but this time we decided to rent an airbnb for our time to give us our own place where different people could come and comfortably hang out with us. Our place happened to be in Lehi right by the famous Lehi Roller Mills.
This city’s big claim to fame is being the location of the classic 1984 movie Footloose with Kevin Bacon. While different places throughout the area were used in the movie, none are more iconic than here at the Lehi Roller Mills. The scene of him dancing through the mill will always be one of my favorite movie scenes.
I know they remade Footloose, and there is talk of remaking it again, but the original will always be the best in my book. You just can’t compete with the 80’s dancing and music that make the movie so great.
Brad brought his skis with plans of spending a lot of time on the slopes. But there was a great amount of perfect powdery snow that fell over the weekend so everyone seemed to have the same idea. There were miles of cars just waiting to get to the canyon let alone the resorts. He finally made it for a day of skiing at Solitude Resort and it was well worth the wait according to him.
Utah claims the title of ‘The Greatest Snow on Earth’. This comes from the fact that Utah is so dry that when it snows it’s likely to be powder which is great for winter sports. And with 10 world class ski resorts around there is no shortage of opportunity of slopes to enjoy.
Brad had really wanted Tessa to take her first skiing lesson, but with as crowded as all of the resorts were he settled for giving her some basics at a park in the canyon. I may have to join the club if she takes to it like Brad.
While we were home we got to go and see the Midway Ice Castles. Every year they create a huge complex out of ice and snow and it is always amazing to see what they make. I’ve been to the Ice Castles a handful of times and every year it is a different experience.
With tunnels, slides, and passageways created from the ice, there is no end to the imagination here. Tessa was excited for the tunnel of ice and even convinced Grandpa to follow after her. He was a little worried that he would get stuck around the bend but he made it.
After the tunnel, it was time for the slides and there were many to choose from. Some of the slides had mats to sit on while others just had you sit on the ice. There was a small one for kids that took them through a tunnel of ice to get to the top of the slide.
We wandered through the different passageways made of ice and marveled at the beautiful detail created by the ice. No wonder why both Superman and Elsa thought a fortress of ice was a good idea.
{Know if you go: Tickets need to be purchased before hand. During the week the cost is $18/adult and on the weekend it is $23/adult. If you go in the evening, they turn on colored lights onto the ice which gives it an all the more magical feel. It should go without saying, but be sure to dress warm and bring gloves and boots to wear through the slightly uneven ground.}
We really loved seeing the ice castles and being so immersed in such a creative venture. There is nothing better than really getting into the winter spirit than by visiting castles made of ice.
After some fun filled days, it was time for us to return home. We were up super early for our flight home. Brad was going to stay for a few extra days of skiing. I was getting dressed when all the sudden a terrible pain hit in my shoulder blade. Thinking I had just slept wrong and it would work itself out, I continued to get things together. By the time we got through security the pain had moved all down my side and into my arm. After what felt like the longest, most uncomfortable flight we arrived. We wrangled our luggage together and got to the car and started driving home. The pain was so bad that I had a difficult time driving as I kept writhing and crying from the sharp shoots of pain. It honestly felt comparable to labor pains but in a different part of my body. Instead ofWhat going home, I turned off to go the doctor’s office. They ran a bunch of tests and told me I had to have some more tests the next day before prescribing anything. They finally determined that it was muscle spasms that had pinched some nerves with the contractions. Apparently it may take a few days to really get everything settled down and back to normal. Feeling thankful though for a doctor who took time out of his packed day to help me, the co-worker who drove me to my second day of tests and scans, the husband who changed his flight to come back sooner, and the tender care of a little girl who has done all she can to help me feel better.
On a good note, when we got home we discovered that finally after almost 6 months, Tessa’s passport arrived! After all the back and forth and canceled trips it arrived and we can begin to replan trips abroad.
Want some more of Utah in the winter? Then you might be interested in these:
Our trip to Utah was a mixed bag of the joy of seeing family, the thrill of winter activities, and a painful trip home but overall it was a wonderful visit. Thanks for coming along on this winter visit to Utah. May your snow be powder and your ice be magical.
