Provo, UT

Confession. I’d been itching to take this boat ride since last year, when my husband flatly refused. He’s a big guy and was worried about the seaworthiness of the vessel.

At first, I was horrified. I could deal with the promotional facial from Mary Kay, the evening with my roommates, and the finishing touch of a late night movie . . . but as princesses?! During the week, however, the idea grew on me. So seldom do we get a chance to truly dress [...]

Pop quiz! Name the first museum ever built in the state of Utah for the visual arts. Not sure? Try this: What Utah art museum houses over two thousand original works of art in its permanent collection, 1,500 of which were created by Utah artists? Still unsure? Okay, last one: This museum, built in 1907, also houses one of the largest modern Russian art collections anywhere outside of Russia itself.

The Shops at Riverwoods is an outdoor mall right on the corner of University Avenue and 4800 N, which turns into Orem Center St. There are lots of stores and restaurants there–there are clothing stores, like Abercrombie & Fitch, the Buckle, Victoria’s Secret, and Kaleidoscope (none of which are cheap stores, for the record); there’s a yoga studio called It’s Yoga, an art store, Bath & Body Works, a children’s clothes store, and lots of other retailers; there’s Macaroni Grill, Happy Sumo (a fantastic Asian restaurant), Tucano’s Brazilian Grill, Bajio’s, Subway, and a few other restaurants, and a Hogi Yogi across the parking lot from the theater. Sometimes we’ll see a movie at the Wynnsong theater, too, which has been recently redecorated inside.

If you’re looking for a relaxing and peaceful way to spend an afternoon, I suggest Red Butte Garden, in the foothills above Salt Lake City. Located on the University of Utah campus, Red Butte is the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West, with a focus on regional horticulture. It covers more than 150 acres, featuring 18 acres of gardens, plus walking paths, hiking trails, ponds, and a children’s garden. Throughout the year there are a variety of concerts, educational programs, family nights, art and horticultural exhibits, plant sales, and more.

Attention art lovers: stop whatever you’re doing and head straight to the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Simply put, you do not want to miss the Monet to Picasso exhibit currently on loan from the Cleveland Museum of Art. The show only runs until September 21, 2008, so make it a priority!
The UMFA touts [...]

After attending the early morning balloon launch, we headed over to the Wolf Creek Resort, site of the 2008 Ogden Valley Balloon Festival. The festival didn’t start until 9 a.m. so to kill a little time between the launch (which ended by 8 a.m.) and the festival, we ate a picnic breakfast, then drove the short distance to Wolf Creek.

We watched as about 25 colorful envelopes (the uninflated balloons) covered the ground. Soon the propane tanks began hissing and the field exploded with beautiful colors as the balloons inflated. Before you knew it, they were upright, straining against the lead ropes with the same anticipation as the watching crowd. It was a breathtaking sight as the balloons lifted off one by one into the morning sun with the elegance and grace of whales dancing in the ocean. The sky filled with a kaleidoscope of magnificent colors, uplifting music filled the air, and my heart soared with the beauty filling the sky.

The Grand America’s Afternoon Tea is like a tea party for grownups in the most delightful and sophisticated way. From the moment we pulled up to The Grand America (Salt Lake City’s only five-diamond hotel) we received VIP treatment: valet parking, doormen, concierge. From our first steps through the front doors into the elegant lobby, we were greeted by Old World charm and grandeur. Spectacular chandeliers, fine French furnishings, and Italian marble–as well as a diverse, friendly, and largely European staff–awaited us at every turn.

I was thrilled to discover Layton Commons Park, a lushly-shaded, 47-acre, city-owned park located at 437 N. Wasatch Drive in Layton. Layton Commons Park had everything I was looking for and more, including picnic pavilions, grills, a small amphitheater, heritage museum, restrooms, and a nicely paved walking path along a stretch of Kay’s Creek, which ends at a duck pond. In fact, this park is commonly known to locals as “The Duck Park”.