Things I Miss About Utah

When I first started reading Cheryl's blog she did a three part series of things that she missed about Utah. Now, the lucky girl has moved back to Utah, and probably has a list of things that she misses about California. I was hooked on her blog after reading those because she listed many things about Utah that I love. (If you want to read them, they are in her archives around May of 2007, I believe.)

So, here is my list of things that I really miss about Utah. First:
Seriously, most of the stoplights around here don't have these signs. And I feel like I am sitting at lights forever. But here, people don't fly through the yellow lights and maybe this is why. In Oregon, yellow actually means slow down and or stop. And while we are talking about traffic:
Seriously. It seems like most of the freeways around here at 55 MPH zones. I can't handle going that slow. It surprises me that I haven't gotten a ticket yet, because I am almost always going 70 on the freeway. However, the nice thing about Oregon drivers is that no one seems to be in a hurry and for the most part they are very polite and courteous.

Second:

Farr's Ice Cream is made in Ogden, UT and available at grocery stores in Utah. It is so good. Specifically, I miss the mint chocolate chip. It is the best. It doesn't have that waxy chocolate in it that a lot of ice cream makers use. Here we have Tillamook Ice Cream (and cheese!) which is good, but there is no comparison with the Farr's Mint Chocolate Chip.

Third, I really really really miss the grid system. Give me an address in Utah, and I can find it. Guaranteed. Here? No. Last night, I was driving to the soccer game for my daughter, and as we are about 10 games into the season I should know where I am going. But no, I ended up 50 blocks west of where I needed to be, and got lost and she just barely made it. It is very frustrating with all the loops, places, avenues, lanes, road, circles, etc. And the roads are NOT in alphabetical order like people say they are. Now, I know that for people that grew up out of Utah's grid system have a hard time when they go to Utah but it all makes so much sense to me. And, I also understand that it would be very difficult to do a grid system here with all the hills, and rolls in the landscape.

Fourth, Allens. Yes, the grocery store. We lived in Springville, and the Allen's there was very nice. And they had the wackiest stuff! You could just wander the aisles and find neat things. The employees were nice, the pharmacy was fast, the store was clean, and the deals were good. Here I shop at Wal-Mart for most things or Albertson's (for milk and meat), and I miss the small-town-store feel of Allen's. I know that there is Win-co here but I need to shop at a store that takes credit card.

Fifth, Lilly Lake: (Image via Flickr - Spoiler_3) This is a picture of my favorite place on earth. Lilly Lake along the Mirror Lake Highway in the Uinta National Forest. That is Bald Mountain sticking up in the back. Every summer we would make several day-trips here with our rubber raft, and my mom and dad's canoe. We would spend the day floating the lake, hiking around the lake, picnicking, reading and enjoying family and friends. It was such a great way to beat the heat, and a beautiful place to camp. Oh, I love it. So tranquil, and peaceful.

Sixth, my friends. I really miss them. My friend's lives went on after I left. They are busy with their families, friends, jobs, church, new babies, PTA, etc; and they don't need the communication with me as much. This is natural. I know that. I just haven't found a really good friend here. I don't have someone that I can call and say, "Let's go get a coke," or "Let's hit the movies" or "I'm having a crappy day and I need to chat..."

I played volleyball with a group of friends from church on Tuesday nights. It was so great. It helped keep me active, and it was a great stress relief. I really miss that too. I realize that I need to make more of an effort to make some friends, and I am working on it. :)

Seventh, my family. I miss the family dinners & bbq's. The game nights. Getting together to go shopping or walking along the river. Having my niece babysit. Holiday dinners and get together's. My mom's cooking. I live close to one sister and my brother here, but they are both single and their lives are very different from mine, so it isn't quite the same.

I could go on forever. There are so many things I miss (the mountains all around, the snow, Sam's Club, Sonic Drive-In, Shopko, being close to temples, walking distance to church, etc.) but I'm calling it good.

There are a lot of things I love about Oregon (another post, I swear!), but right now I'm really missing home. Utah will always be home. And now I need a tissue. What are the things that signify Home to you?