#89: Mormon Tabernacle Choir (Page 722; Listed as Temple Square in the 2nd Ed, pg 883)

1995: This is my pamphlet I saved from when my roommate Kelli and I attended General Conference in the Tabernacle on Temple Square and heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

This picture was taken on a separate occassion. Because I lived in Provo for four years, I have been to Temple Square, home of the famous Tabernacle and Mormon Tabernacle Choir, more times than I can count. I'm so glad we were able to see the "Mo-Tab" in the original Tabernacle because now General Conference is held in the near-by Conference Center which is much, much larger than the origianl Tabernacle. But it is so fun to hear them in the original, acoustic Tabernacle.
Verdict: Yes. A visit to Temple Square is beautiful, interesting and entertaining (assuming you get a concert in while you're there!) no matter what religion you are!

Note: The 2nd Edition lists this "Temple Square" which is a much better listing.  Temple Square encompasses so much and is definitely a must-do when visiting the Salt Lake area.  So, I like that the 2nd edition doesn't isolate the entire Temple Square experience to just seeing the Choir.

#88: Park City and the Wasatch Range (page 721; Listed as Skiing the Wasatch Range in the 2nd Ed, pg 882)

Feb. 2002: I was lucky enough to be able to go to the SLC Winter Olympics in 2002 and even luckier that I had family and friends living in the area! My college roommate, Kelli (shown here with me) was staying in Park City during the Olympics because her parents owned a home there. Park City is known for skiing and boasts 3 ski resorts: Deer Valley, Park City Mountain and The Canyons. Deer Valley even has a ski-in/ski-out lodge (Stein Erikson Lodge).

Verdict: Yes. Park City and the environs (including Sundance, founded by Robert Redford) is absolutely worth seeing. Absolutely picturesque during all seasons. Fun to ski during the Winter, but a blast to bike-ride during the summer, hike during the Fall and drive and walk through in the Spring.

Note:  In the 2nd Edition, this is specifically listed as "Skiing the Wasatch Range."  At some point, I'll have to dig up skiing pics, which I hope I have somewhere.  I definitely skied the Wasatch as I went to college here (BYU) from 1994-1998! But of course, that was all pre-cell phone so most ski excursions went un-documented! And truthfully, I think the 2nd Edition has a more pertinent listing in terms of doing this before you die because skiing is ultimately what this area is known for. 

#87: Moab and Red Rock Country (Page 719, 2nd Ed pg 881)

I lived in Utah from 1994-1998 and I was fortuante to be able to visit Moab several times during those 4 years. But my first time was in the Spring of 1996. Here is a gorgeous shot of Delicate Arch, the most famous arch in Arches National Park.
Hiking with my friend Kelli

Another scenic view with my friend, Dave. Obviously, this is another posting of pre-digital photography! I've been camping twice in this area and even signed up to run a 1/2 marathon here (unfortuantely, I got injured and wasn't able to run, but I still spent the weekend there supporting my friends that were running).

Verdict: Absolutely. This is one of the most stunning National Parks. The whole area is breathtakinly beautiful. I would love to go back and do mountain biking, rafting or kayaking in this area.

#86: River Walk (Page 717, 2nd Ed pg 879)

October 25, 2003: I attended a conference with the American Dietetic Association (ADA) which was in San Antonio. I was excited about this because it was my first time to Texas. The River Walk, San Antonio's second most visited attraction (The Alamo being first) is a place with lots of shops and restaurants lined in a picturesque way along the San Antonio River that runs down the middle.

Verdict: Well, I didn't take any pictures while I was there (but did take several of The Alamo and am not quite sure how this made it into the book and not The Alamo!) and the only thing I wrote in my journal was "We also walked all around the River Walk and stopped for lunch." I remember enjoying it and thinking it was nice, but something you HAD to do before you die? No.

#85: Frank Lloyd Wright Tour (Page 627)

December 27, 2010: First of all, I have no idea why everything is underlined or how to turn it off. oh well! Anyway, this past week, we went to visit my family in Naperville, IL, which is just a 30 minute drive from Oak Park, the sight of Frank Lloyd Wright's first home and studio.

Here I am in front of the home at 951 Chicago Ave. We decided to take the "Frank Lloyd Wright Guided Interior Tour" which cost $15 per adult (kids age 3 and under are free, but I wouldn't recommend bringing small children here unless they are infants and attached to your body as you see I did. You are not permitted to touch anything inside the house, so having a toddler would be a nightmare!)

The tour is one hour in length. This home was built in 1889, when Wright was in his early 20's. He married and raised 6 children in this home and built a studio which is attached to the home.

Verdict: My husband and I both enjoyed the tour and learned a lot about FLW and architecture, but we both agreed that unless you are an architecture buff, this isn't something you have to do before you die.