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Daily Journal - Salt Lake City
Monday, July 4th
Dave & Hannah & Garth took us to the airport. We had plenty of time before
the flight. The plane was a small Canadair 4-across jet, holding about 100
passengers, and with only one flight attendant. The flight to Salt Lake City was
smooth and uneventful. Our bags arrived very quickly and we located the Hilton
shuttle. While checking in, Gene & Sharon Rague saw us, and we chatted with them
for a minute about the sightseeing bus tomorrow. We're having dinner with them
later this evening. (Gene was the lead in Roger's San Diego quartet, the San
Diego Harmony & Good Times Emporium.)
Had a leisurely dinner with Gene & Sharon at a Macaroni Grill. Then walked over
to a public park where quartets alternated on stage with rock & country bands.
Saw lots of old friends from San Diego (including the Houses; and their son now
authors children's books) and met the new Society CEO, Ed Watson.
Tuesday, July 5th >Top
Had to get up early because the sightseeing bus left at 8:45 AM. The trip
took all day long from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The trip was billed as the "Utah
Alps", and with the mountain peaks still snow covered, it did not look unlike
the European Alps. In fact, part of the area was originally settled by Swiss
folks. Our guide must have been a history teacher because she knew how to
involve her audience, and was filled with facts. She said that she does tours
from South Dakota to the Grand Canyon, and everything in-between!
We drove south and east of SLC into the Wasatch Range of mountains. At Orem, the
Donnie & Marie Studio was pointed out. After more than an hour driving in
mountain valleys, we arrived at Sundance, Utah. This is a scenic and rustic
"resort" created by Robert Redford to support and help young and aspiring movie
directors, producers, actors, and other filmmakers. Minimal environment impact
was practiced. The area includes a single 4 person chair lift up the mountain
for skiing. Many flowers, both cultivated, potted, and wild, were surrounded by
the constant sound of rushing water - pure, clean, cold mountain streams which
created a lovely ambiance. The site includes a Screening Room, Rehearsal Hall,
Restaurant, Gift Shop, as well as homes of Robert and home of his son. All very
picturesque and beautiful.
Next, we continued north, stopping in a small Swiss appearing village called
Midway, where we had a lovely lunch at the resort, Homestead. Traditionally
decorated dining rooms, pretty tablecloths, fresh flowers, delicious food,
efficiently served; and our lunch partners were the Watsons, old friends from
Columbus Ohio.
Finally, we drove on north and stopped in Park City, a previous mining village,
currently a ski village with the most expensive real estate in Utah. $500,000 is
cheap; many 3 million dollar homes, sprinkled all over the hills and valleys.
And an hour from no where, pretty much! Well, actually that was the previous
stop; PC is only 35 minutes from SLC.
In Park City, we were walking out of a shop when a tourist came up to us saying,
"Roger Meyer from Great Northern Union." Turns out he (Martin Grandahl) is a
chorus vendor designing a new web site for the chorus and has worked with Roger
via the Internet. He knew us by our badges. Small world!
After getting back to our room late afternoon, we had to take a nap. We were
pooped. Temperature was 99 (some places 100) and humidity was 4%! But man, it
was hot.
Downtown SLC has a new light rail system which costs no money in the central
area in which we go; it is called UTRAX, for "Utah (railroad) tracks", I guess.
After our nice nap, we went to the hotel coffee shop and had soup and salad with
a couple of GNUers, Bruce & Julia Watson, and International first timer, Rick
Chaddock. The old timers traded many a story with the new guy.
Wednesday, July 6th >Top
We had to get up early again today to be at the Opening Ceremonies at 9:00
to practice.
Opening ceremonies were interesting: some "rah-rah"; new concert hall is totally
spectacular; the organ played; we stayed for "our" first Quartet in contest;
then hurried to lunch, and our afternoon tour. We went to the Great Salt Lake;
and then on to the Kennicott Copper mine.
The lake was "just the lake", no tourist stuff or anything. It is 75 miles long
and half as wide, and 10 feet deep. They called it our "dead sea", with only
brine shrimp growing in it; and also they do harvest salt from it. Morton and
other... mostly for softeners and roads. They say that table salt is mined
underground elsewhere.
Then they took us over to the copper mine; a trip of maybe 10 boring miles. I
kept saying to myself: "this better be good!" Well, it was! 'Way bigger than the
northern MN iron mine, but also an open pit one. Copper is the main product, but
gold and silver are by-products. It is 2 miles wide and one mile deep, not quite
half as "big" as the Grand Canyon, but of course not "long" like GC.
We found out today that this state has 2-1/2 million people (we have that in our
metro!); and 75% live in the greater SLC area. About 60% in the city are Mormon;
but in some small towns, that goes up to a large majority. Overall proportion is
about 80%, which incidentally, is the same percent that are elected officials.
So, I would say that is fair!
The above trips were the first during a convention week for us, since we can
remember! Usually Roger is too busy. My knees are better than last year by far;
not quite what I hope they will be in another few months, tho. But I see many
others taking their time also... so I am not alone; and actually better off than
quite a few.
Roger's friend and colleague's father-in-law died today, they are leaving for
home; so Roger is helping out for some of his duties. And there is no concern
because it will not interfere with rehearsals. We wish them a serene time as D &
C gather with their family.
Get this: the chorus has a rehearsal tonight at 10:00 PM! Then, early convening
tomorrow for Gospel-Sing; etc., etc.
We met cousin Joan & Larry for supper at Chang's; nice Chinese food: first whole
meal we have had, due to time constraints. But even though service was outstanding,
the bill was much better than our $35.00 sort of inedible sandwiches for lunch...
not that we have been that hungry, so it did not matter. Breakfast yesterday
(oatmeal for me and a muffin for him; had free coffee in our room: $21.00. Oh
well, it's only money.
And now on to tomorrow.
Thursday, July 7 >Top
Roger had to get up early again in order to walk to the Cathedral and be
there by 8 o'clock for a service from 9:30 to 11:30. Joannie rehearsed with her
quartet (lead was on the phone from Michigan); Larry, Theresa and another couple
from Punta Gorda, Florida, drove the mile to the event. (Joan is running into
other Sweet ADs, so she is having fun; and Larry never met a person he did not
like so he is too! - He is always ready with a witty comment from left field.
The cathedral is almost as old as the Mormon temple, rather Gothic on the
outside and very gaudy with more bright colors then we have ever seen, and
gold/guilt everywhere. (Theresa met the organist, a young man, and his
father-in-law, who was born in Blue Earth in 1940! one year after her! They had
moved by school years, hence, she did not know him.) The church reportedly held
900 people, and folks were invited to sit on the altar steps, and even behind
the altar, in order to accommodate an extra hundred and fifty people. Our own
"Happiness Emporium" quartet has hosted this event for about 15 years. Roger's
chorus sang for the second time. They got a standing ovation. At the end, the
priest shook hands with as many folks as possible.
Then we went back to our room and changed into street clothes and walked to the
auditorium (stopped on the way in a shopping center food court for lunch) for
the afternoon preliminary chorus contest where 6 choruses were picked to sing in
the chorus finals on Saturday. Our land O Lakes district's other competitor
deservedly won the right to sing Saturday with us.
We had some ice cream on the way home. Man it is H-o-t! 99 degrees, and tomorrow
will be over 100. But as they say, it is a dry heat. In the shade, in the
breeze, not too bad; but you would not want to be in the sun very long.
The auditorium is just a bit of a disappointment. Acoustics are lacking. Or more
to the point, they do not have all of the microphones on. It is unknown why. But
the hosts are all very pleasant. The Mormons seem to be ushering and hosting
everything in the hall, and are eager to please.
We returned to our room to rest and then went back to the Macaroni Grill with
Joan & Larry for dinner. We are going to bed at 9 PM so as to prepare for a big
day tomorrow.
Friday, July 8 >Top
Busy schedule again today. Eight o'clock stage (trial) time for the chorus.
Then Roger went 'way over to the HQ hotel for some meetings for which he filled
in, since Dwain had pressing family duties. 8:30 was the C&J meeting. 9:30 was
the Contest Administrators meeting.
10:30 was chorus rehearsal, with many in the audience, and with coaches who
helped us work very hard; this lasting with our lunch until after 2:00 PM. It
was a fun time as everyone felt that they are singing better than ever. At least
they should make a good score. After rehearsal we went with J & L for a quick
ice cream snack and then a rested till 5. Slept soundly. Being on risers for
almost 4 hours is work.
Every native we meet is very hospitable... whether they are official hosts or
whether they are "just" residents. Quite remarkable. Never happens in other
cities. People actually come up to say hello. One thing tho: they have mentioned
that they actually know about the deficit in the concert hall acoustics...
imagine how could that ever have happened??? Hopefully they can get it altered.
We think an architect goofed a little bit. Acoustics are not terrible, though; and
the hall IS beautiful, artfully constructed, and cleaner than a hospital. Still
worth attending. And much better than the arenas we get in other cities.
Finally, a quickie/cheap dinner (as most of them have been per usual when a town
trys to fee thousands of folks on a tight schedule) , a free concert by last
year's champions from St Louis area), other festivities at the concert hall; and
the quartet semi-finals at 7:30 PM. We didn't stay for all 20 quartets, but went
back to our hotel about 9:30 to get a good night's rest, and to pack what we
could, since tomorrow is so full; and Sunday morning schedule is planned to the
minute.
Tomorrow's "thee" big day! Breakfast is with J&L at 8:00; then rehearsal at
10:00, and working hard till we are off the stage around 3:00. Then we will sit
through the second half of choruses and wait for the verdict. Then scramble to
get changed into cool duds (means a hike back to the hotel); and quickly get a
bite and back for the quartet finals.
Wondering if D & D have had any train security issues with the current events;
thinking of the rest of the kids and their individual busy weeks too.
T is beginning to think the other knee will get attention a little sooner than
she wanted; for the first time, the operated knee gets improved with walking and
the unoperated one is worse... not urgent though.
Did we say that this city has very long blocks. Eight per mile. ugh. The train
helps. Walking in the shady breeze helps. What is amazing is the 4% humidity:
more dry than our winters by a long shot, and my eyes, etc, really know it. They
are red and dry despite two kinds of eye drops. The tour guide was not kidding
when she said "you will not sweat much, but your body will loose a lot of water.
Drink more than normal." How true, how true. Interesting phenomenon. However
this is a nice city; clean, and beautiful. And I think we already mentioned
hospitable people here.
Saturday, July 9 >Top
This was big day! We are very tired, and came home from the quartet finals
early. But for the good news! Great Northern Union Men's chorus (in which Roger
sings) won a bronze medal, which is 5th place. Everyone is elated.
We are almost packed, since we must leave very early for the Sunday festivities
with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Sunday, July 10 >Top
Had to get up early again this morning. Conference Center doors opened at
8:30, for a broadcast service featuring the fantastic Mormon Tabernacle Choir
and some barbershoppers at 9:30 till t0. Then doors open again for 15 minutes to
add to the crowd for another 45 minute program featuring more of the same: Gold
Medal Chorus and three quartets as well as the Tabernacle choir. We had to leave
for the airport at about 11. Joan & Larry kindly chauffeured us to the airport
before they took off across country to get home themselves.
After actually losing each other at the airport (?!) we did end up on the same
plane home. But not without the airline threatening the whole load with not
leaving until someone volunteered to stay off the over loaded plane! And the
entire crowd stood their ground for 10 minutes before one couple volunteered.
Anyhow it was an easy and scenic flight; and Dave and Garth met us right at the
curb for a slick ride to our house. All was well at home; now we are having a
busy week with kids, relatives and friends from out of town; and a wedding on
Friday!
The MN summer humidity is almost a treat after such dry air. Never though I
would say that!
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