#4 Wheeler Historic Farm

Want a quick escape to the country, to where the pace is a just a bit slower? Where you can relax while eating a picnic lunch, feed ducks, or try your hand at milking a cow? From the historical late 1800's farmhouse to the charming out buildings that house turkeys, chickens and pigs, Wheeler Farm has something for everyone.




Located in the middle of the Salt Lake Valley at 6351 S. 900 E. in Murray, Wheeler Farm welcomes everyone to take a leisurely stroll around the farm, and visit the animals. Best part? It's free! They do offer a historic farmhouse tours & hayrides (both which cost a modest $2.00 each per person) and cow milking which starts promptly at 5pm (.50 cents each).

I love relaxing under the big old growth trees, hearing the sound of the babbling creek and the voices of my children at play. A place where I can just....breathe. A welcomed respite from the traffic and the pressures of the city.

While you are there, stop by the north side of the turkey house. You might find at home my children's favorite animal to visit; a little farm rat that they call Templeton (from Charlotte's Web). He's been dutifully overseeing the goings on of the farm for a few years now.


I hope you enjoy the farm as much as my family and I do. Tell Templeton I sent you. :)

Reason #3: So Delicious, So Cupcake!

Salt Lake City is home to my absolute all time favorite Cupcakery, So Cupcake! Located at 3941 S. Highland Drive. I had the opportunity to discover this delicious establishment last fall. Not only are the cupcakes amazing but they offer (are you sitting down?) frosting shots. I know, shut up, right?

As you walk in the door the first thing that catches your eye, besides the scrumptious cupcakes in the case, is the original artwork on the wall, all you guessed it, cupcake themed.

You are then greeted by a happy and helpful employee (who is probably currently in the throngs of a sugar high) and told the flavors of the day (which change daily) and their everyday flavors: Red Velvet, Chocolate, Carrot, Vanilla, and Chocolate with Cream Cheese, and (my personal favorite) Key Lime. They also offer a selection of gluten free cupcakes during certain times of the month.

A visit to their website will give you a touching glimpse into the heart of this business and the reason they created So Cupcake, it's evident in each and every delicious bite.

http://socupcake.com/

Reason #2: The Largest Man Made Excavation in the World

Kennecott Utah Copper's Bingham Canyon Mine is an open pit mine situated in the Oquirrh mountain range that runs along the west side of the Salt Lake Valley. The mine is so big in fact it is visible to the naked eye from space. Standing against the railing overlooking the mine produces a very profound feeling something similar to the Grand Canyon but different in the fact that this deep crater wasn't produced by forces of nature but by the force of humans. An incredible monument to industry.


If you haven't visited the mine since 2005 it's worth going again. In the winter of 2005/2006 Kennecott moved the visitors center 328 feet down further into the mine affording visitors a better view and a chance to get a bit closer to the action.



Love history? Then you will really appreciate the museum located in the visitors center. There you can find yourself pouring over the historical documents, photos, and memorabilia. Bingham Canyon was once host to diverse groups of people from all around the globe. They developed towns and communities such as Lark, Carr Fork, Highland Boy, and Bingham. Smaller encampments were also formed and given charming names such as Freeman, Copper Heights, Markham, Heaston Heights, Frog Town, Terrace Heights, and my personal favorite Dinkeyville. All of which were swallowed by the growing mine throughout the years and lost to history.

The mine is open to visitors April through the end of October. Admission is $5 per car making it very affordable! Visit their website for more information.
http://kennecott.com/visitors-center/

Reason #1: Purple Mountains Majesty

About 25 years ago I attended a Tears for Fears concert in Provo, Utah. Between sets, Roland Orzabal said while he had toured and had seen much of the US he never quite understood the line in America the Beautiful about "purple mountains majesty". How could mountains be purple? It wasn't until that evening when he stepped out of his tour bus and saw the majestic Wasatch mountains bathed in a purple hue. I never looked at our impressive mountains the same after that. It gave me a new appreciation for something I had, up until that point, taken for granted. Thanks Roland!

Let it begin!

I've lived in Utah the better part of 32 years. I will be the first to admit that yes, Utah has it's quirks. Those all to familar oddities that seem to pit us "Utahns" against the "norm" (whatever the norm is). I've lived in other states but there is something magical about Utah. So I've decided to celebrate this beautiful state and by doing so share with others what makes this state, it's people, and it's cities such a wonderful place to visit and yes, even to live! So I, with my camera in hand will feature 365 reasons why I love living in Utah!