This is a very big step for me. The only other time I ever tried moving out of my house, as much as I’ve wanted to, was to San Francisco. and I found the city so depressing that I had to move back home before I ended up wasting away.
(I was so miserable, I found myself not eating or drinking anything without realizing it.)
This time I’m in Roy, in northern Utah. Near Ogden and Riverdale (Where Archie and Jughead live!), a big south of the Idaho border, and north of LDS Central Command.
I feel a little scared, ya know? Okay…maybe not a -little- scared. I’m pretty frightened. I’m living with a couple of very close friends, and one of them might be leaving next year. I don’t know how to get around, and whenever I try, I find myself getting lost more times than I can count. All the streets are numbered instead of named. (Was I supposed to turn left on 1750 W or 1720 S?)
Haven’t found a job yet, but I’m trying. Already met a couple other people who live nearby and are very nice. But I still feel a lot of ‘relocation anxiety’, ya know?
Anyways. This ain’t a gaw-damn diary. I’ll shut up for awhile. How are all of you?
Congratulations on your move! I can’t wait to get out of California.
I didn’t drive around much on my trips to Utah (two. I used to have three-day weekends every week and decided to go for a drive from Los Hideous), but I think the streets are layed out like they are in Lancaster, CA where I lived for a while. The Antelope Valley had major streets one mile apart (Ave. J, Ave. K, etc. and 10th St. W., 20th St. W., etc.) and minor streets were given “in-between” names (W. Ave. K-12, W. Ave. K-13, etc. and 12 ST W, 15th St. W., etc.). Numbered streets ran east-west and were called # St. West or East # Street. They were divided by a street called… get ready… Division. It was a big grid, so you could find your way around with Cartesian coordinates. Since there was a building boom up there, there are now streets with actual names instead of coordinates so it’s not as easy as it once was. Anyway, I think SLC uses Cartesian coordinates.
SLC was a bit strange. People on the street would stop and talk (unusual here in Hell-A), but they’d kind of look around to see if they were being watched; then, in a lowered tone, they’d ask, “Are you LDS?” When answered in the negative, they would talk freely. It reminded me of spies meeting in one of those old cold-war spy movies. It was as if non-Mormons saw The Church as the KGB. Very weird.
Alcohol laws are bizarre. I went to have fish’n’chips in Park City and the waitress wouldn’t put down my second beer until I finished the last two inches in the one I already had. They had meters on the liquor bottles that measured exactly one shot. Weakest damned margarita I’ve ever had.
I found Utah itself to be very beautiful. The weather was nice and cool when I went up, although it was still too early for snow. The Wasatch Mountains were nice. Still, I’ll take the Pacific Northwest.
I moved to Utah a few years back. Worst mistake I ever made(and I’ve made a bunch). I lived in Payson(15 miles south of provo), and worked in provo, and North slc for a while.
The people were great, although a little deranged at times. I have no problem with LDS folk, and only had one try to convert me.
The polution was horrible
The cost of living was outrageous, and the average wages were less than here in Texas.
The Mexican resturants had never heard of Queso.(they asked me if that was that “runny cheese?”
I had people begging me to send them porn when I told them I was going back to Texas.
Crime was just about non-existant
Used motorcycle parts were also non-existant
The legal aid folk in provo were great. I wish we had something like that here
The bad news, I had to use the legal aid service because the city owned power company wanted to shut off my power for a mistake they made.
They had little motorcyle killing irigation ditches on the side of all the streets
NO stop signs at a disturbingly large number of intersections
The absolute worst drivers on the face of the planet live in utah. I didnt think anyone could beat Kansas
Stewerts Ginger Beer is one of Gods greatest gifts to man. It was years later before we got it here.
It was refreshing to know that the late night Dennys crowd is the same regardless of where you go. I introduced the “Creamer Game” to them, and was worshiped as a god(for about 5 minutes anyway)
Fry sauce is a crime against humanity
At least its not too far from Vegas
The mountains are kinda cool.
The street naming conventions are cool, once you get used to them.
Some of the most beutifull women in the world.
Theres was a really cool chinese resturant in Payson, but waitress was a little fuzzy on her geography “heres your saskatchewan shreded pork, sir”
Stay away from Magna
Thier margerine is shaped funny. I don’t see why they need thier own margerine.
NOTE: Park Cities was mentioned earlier. Park Cities is in Utah, but not OF Utah.
Not only do I live in Utah, I grew up in Roy and now live just to the west about 3 miles.
Let me know if there is anything you want to know or help with anything!
As for Utah. . .
The culture is strange and the drivers SUCK, but the people are wonderful, the scenery is the most beautiful you will ever see, crime is almost non-existent, and we get all extremes of climate. You shouldn’t have a problem finding a job either. I love it here!
Ahhhh yes! Close down the bar then git some breakfast at Dennys! It’s like a second party. (BTW - There is a Dennys in Roy)
I beg your pardon! Fry sauce is the nectar of the Gods!
DEFINITELY! Anywhere between 6 1/2 to 8 hour drive from Roy, and well worth the trip!
The mountains are awesome, as are the other areas. I strongly suggest that you take a drive to Bryce Canyon, Moab, Zions, Canyonlands, Flaming Gorge, all of which are unbelievably cool. Closer to home you could take a cruise up Ogden Canyon and then come back over Trappers Loop (or the other way around). Non-stop would take you less than an hour. If you wanted to spend more time then take you swim suit and stop off at the reservior for a swim, lunch at the Shooting Star (in Eden) and even go on a hike (I’ll tell you the best trails if you are interested). You can also check out Snowbasin Ski Resort where they are building additions for the 2002 Winter Olympics. It’s real pretty.
Anyway, let me know if you want more details or any other info.
I don’t know how anyone finds there way around without our system. If you tell me to go to 4800 South and 2500 West, I know that I need to be between 4700 South and 4900 South and between 2400 West and 2600 West. It makes a lot of sense, really. Direct me to Oak Drive and I won’t have a clue.
Yeah, we are kinda cute, ain’t we.
Again, let me know if you need any advice like the closest grocery store or the best place to eat. There really is a lot to do around here if you just know where and what. It would really be a shame if you don’t make it to see those areas I mentioned (Bryce, etc.).
If you want to take a quick drive head out to Antelope Island to see the buffalo or float in the warm salt water. You can’t find better entertainment than their buffalo fall round-up. Also, if you go, you may or may not hit the brine fly egg hatch where the shore line gets clouds of tiny black flies (fortunately it doesn’t last long). Don’t let them scare you off. They don’t bite, in fact they won’t even land on you.
Diane, you have no idea how soothing it is just to know that at least there’s a Doper nearby.
I -have- noticed the terrible drivers…but, being an aggressive driver from SoCal myself, I fit in rather nicely. It’s the fact that nearly every street is under construction that contributed to the difficulty of getting around.
I’ve been to that Denny’s in Roy, too! It’s not even a mile from where I’m living! (In the Orchard Cove complex), I was there just a couple nights ago, actually. Did you see me? I was with 4 other gay guys and a girl. Weird crowd, huh?
I got a job interview tomorrow, so I hope that goes well…I’m starting to feel less frightened of the area…but I still get lonely and have moments of anxiety. Usually when I’m at the apartment alone and waiting for one of my roommates to get home from work. I get all nervous and then get all excited when they arrive. It’s kinda pathetic, actually.
I used to live in Utah… until I got wise and moved to Seattle
No, Seriously, I really did. I grew up to Seattle and got a job as a lifty at Deer Valley(people bag on Deer Valley because I have to look/act primped while I load people. But I didn’t care, I didn’t have to say a word all day if I didn’t want and the skiing absolutely fu**ing rocked.) Then I quit Deer Valley and worked at Breeze at Park City. Then my girlfriend dumped me and I was crushed so I moved back to Seattle. Well, Kauai, then Maui, then the San Juans, then Seattle.
Well, ashtar, sweets,
First I would get a Thompson’s road map guide(Amazon). It will have every road in your area and a map to boot. Then you can get a cheap GPS for like a hundred bucks now and then you can always know where you are and how to get there. That’ll solve your driving angst, maybe. But all that is a little pricy, might want to get a job first.
GAWD! You ought to hear me bitching trying to get around all the detours! Unfortunately, spring and early summer road work is a fact of life in Utah because of what the freezing weather and snowpack does to our roads.
I haven’t been to Dennys in quite some time, but I’ll be sure to look for you when I do.
Not sure what you like, but there is a coffee shop called Grounds For Coffee in Clearfield. Just stay on the main road through Roy and head south. It is near Papa Murphy’s Pizza. It is small but is a nice place to hang out with a book or friends, either inside or out on the patio.
Again, let me know if there is anyting I can help you with.
Maybe its changed in the last few years(its been 6 or 7 since I ran away), but finding a job was a nightmare when I lived there. The pay was unbelievably low, when you did find a job, and the housing situation was horrible
I’m not doubting you, but in all my 39 years (minus the temporary travel with the military) I have only witness ONE horrific car accident. Maybe you meant that you saw them after they happened, which is more likely, but again, I don’t think I have seen more than one “horrific” accident in one month, let alone one day. A couple of fender benders on the big snow days are pretty common, but I wouldn’t call them horrific car accidents.
Again, I have been parking at park and rides, the major malls, my house, and years of downtown parking when I drove in a carpool. Not once has my car been vandalized, and it is soft top convertible with a pretty nice stereo inside. Pretty easily vandalized if someone wanted to. Never have had a problem and in fact I don’t put my top up most of the time.
Not sure what women you met while you lived here, but that is very untrue.
I’ll be 40 next February and I hike every single weekend with rare exception. I also take longer hiking trips a few times each year to Bryce, Moab, Zions. . . Most of my friends are at least my age if not older, and they do the same thing. We also bike quite a bit, however I don’t do the tennis thing. Just like golf, I can’t seem to hit that stupid little ball. I know quite a few women over the age of 40 who do all these things, including my mother.
This really surprises me. I have been a lot of places and have had people from all over as guests in my home. If there is one thing that really stands out, it is the kindness and friendliness of Utahns. Every person who has come to visit me and people who have moved from other areas have all made the same comments. People are very open and friendly.
Speaking from my own experience, I can’t argue about the shopping. Maybe it is the fact that our economy is so good. The eating part is more confusing. What are you basing this on?
Without question!!!
!!!
I have been receiving offers and advertisments from rental agencies to put my house up for rent during the Olympics, however, the more I check into it, the more it sounds like a not so good idea.
Utah has been undergoing a major renovation of its roads and freeways, but you’re right, in spite of that renovations, I’m taking time off from work. However, why not become an Olympic volunteer? You can get into events and right up close with the action. You can either get the hell outa Dodge or participate in a once in a life-time opportunity and have a great time doing it.
Feh. Freddy’s can’t hold a candle to Super Target.
With major companies like Ratheon, Morton Thikol, Kimberly Clark, Iomega, among many others, as well as Hill Air Force Base and the IRS Center, there are many good paying jobs available. Hill AFB is currently hiring 1500 people as well as 100’s of temporary student hires for the summer.
Not certain what you mean about the housing situation. There are housing going up everywhere you look. Big, beautiful houses that people with good paying jobs are buying by the handful. Smaller towns are having a hard time keeping up with the growth. If Ashtar has driven around getting familiar with the area, he can verify that the entire outskirts of the Ogden, Logan, Provo, and Salt Lake City Valleys are outcrops of new homes.
I get all nervous and then get all excited when they arrive. It’s kinda pathetic, actually. 