I can't post much right now, partly because it's halftime during the Pittsburgh v. Utah game (H has been hilariously and awesomely calling out a play-by-play to me from the t.v. room since I don't have a laptop and am currently confined to the office), but also because we don't have much to report. It's all been work of late.
The long weekend is coming right up, however, and the weather is supposed to be FABULOUS - I'm guessing there will be much time spent outside, biking and hiking. And weeding, unfortuately. I'm going to have to stop reading so many novels and pick up a few landscaping/xeriscaping/native plants books at the library: I have had it with these flower beds and am determined to do something different, more low maintenance and less water-needy next year.
Gotta go - current score: Utah 14-7 Pittsburgh, 1st and goal for Utah in the third quarter. Go Utes!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
first snow
That's right: it snowed today, August 30th. While it was 48 F at home when we left for work, the canyons are usually 10-20 degrees cooler than the valley. Ergo, snow.
Both Alta and Snowbird had photos on their web sites, revelling in the dusting of white so early. Season passes are now on sale and Alta is claiming 81 days 'til their chairs start turning, conditions permitting. I am not the snow-fiend that H is, and I refuse to wish away my days, but I will confess to getting a little excited today about the prospect of skiing.
Both Alta and Snowbird had photos on their web sites, revelling in the dusting of white so early. Season passes are now on sale and Alta is claiming 81 days 'til their chairs start turning, conditions permitting. I am not the snow-fiend that H is, and I refuse to wish away my days, but I will confess to getting a little excited today about the prospect of skiing.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
celebrating at log haven
While our regularly posted anniversaries on this blog are for our arrival here in Utah, H and I recently celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary, deciding to go somewhere slightly more high end than our usual places. Friend of the blog Jessica has been telling us since we came out here that we HAD to go to Log Haven, nestled about four miles up Millcreek Canyon. H made a reservation on that online Open Table service (direct link on the restaurant's web site) and so credit card in hand, off we went.
Log Haven has been around since 1920 but was refurbished into its current lovely state after Margot Provost rescued and remodeled it in 1994. It is apparently one of the premier places in the state for weddings and special occasions, what with its numerous waterfalls and lush outdoor spaces, as well as its acclaimed restaurant. We sat on the outdoor patio, tucked in between the two wings of the large log-built structure and surrounded by tall trees and a moss-covered waterfall. Although it had been 96 F when we left our house, the sun was going down and the temperature plummeted by 20 degrees by the time we were seated; I was grateful for the heaters placed strategically nearby.
There were a few other tables eating - at 7:45 p.m. on a Wednesday - but lots of waitstaff attentively taking care of everyone. Our server was cute and funny and very well-informed about the menu; she also had a huge scrape down her forearm from a recent mountain-biking crash. She told us about the specials and then let us examine the menu at our leisure. It's not the longest menu but there are plenty of options for everyone - from vegetarian to fish to big chunks of meat - most of which sounded absolutely delicious. Since we were celebrating, and not factoring the entree prices into our decision-making process, it took a while to decide what to order.
We had a bottle of Australian Greenpoint Shiraz which started out a little fruitier than we usually prefer but then seemed to mellow a bit as the meal went on. Before the food was brought out, they served tiny appetite-whetters of a watermelon chunk topped with a morsel of goat cheese, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and garnished with baby arugula - fresh and juicy.
The appetizers and the salads both come in two sizes - full portions and "tastes" - which is a nice option if you're concerned about ending your meal overstuffed. H had a taste portion salad of romaine hearts, avocado and queso fresco with a "creamy jalapeno-lime vinaigrette" while I had a taste portion baby frisee salad, with huge blackberries, candied pancetta (!!!) and butternut squash chips and a lovely, light citrus vinaigrette. My salad was excellent and H didn't leave any of his either.
For our entrees, H picked the Double R Ranch filet mignon (which was served the rarest version of medium I've ever seen), served with pepper-gruyere pureed potatoes, green beans and "micro mirepoix" which are simply micro greens of infant onions, carrots and celery. I tried the micro mirepoix and it was amazing: those teensy, tender plants tasted exactly like the vegetables they would grow up to be. I went with the grilled Rocky Mountain elk tenderloin, mostly because I've never had elk before. It was delicious - rare and tender - but if you had told me it was a cow, I would have believed that. The steak was served with pureed parsnip potatoes, a vegetable I don't remember, more of those giant blackberries and a marchand de vin sauce. It was sweetish (which our server had explained) but not overly so and I absolutely cleaned my plate. [Note: the portions at Log Haven are reasonable: not ridiculously huge as is par for the course in so many restaurants; but not so small as to send you home hungry and outraged at the price you've just paid.]
Of course we found room for dessert. I had the panna cotta with fresh cherry syrup and crumbled Amaretti cookies and H selected the molten lava cake. Our server told us that she didn't really care for the mint sorbet that the cake came with and would be happy to swap it out for any of their house-made ice creams (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or blueberry). H likes mint, however, so he went with that ... when our server checked in with us, H admitted that the sorbet was kind of like eating really cold toothpaste which made her laugh.
Now we were full.
Log Haven is not inexpensive. It is not going to be anyone's regular eating establishment (unless you have lots and lots of disposable income). But for special occasions, it is just wonderul. A beautiful and cool mountain setting, fantastic food and excellent service - it's worth the price when you're celebrating something. Plus they validate your Millcreek Canyon entry fee!
Log Haven has been around since 1920 but was refurbished into its current lovely state after Margot Provost rescued and remodeled it in 1994. It is apparently one of the premier places in the state for weddings and special occasions, what with its numerous waterfalls and lush outdoor spaces, as well as its acclaimed restaurant. We sat on the outdoor patio, tucked in between the two wings of the large log-built structure and surrounded by tall trees and a moss-covered waterfall. Although it had been 96 F when we left our house, the sun was going down and the temperature plummeted by 20 degrees by the time we were seated; I was grateful for the heaters placed strategically nearby.
There were a few other tables eating - at 7:45 p.m. on a Wednesday - but lots of waitstaff attentively taking care of everyone. Our server was cute and funny and very well-informed about the menu; she also had a huge scrape down her forearm from a recent mountain-biking crash. She told us about the specials and then let us examine the menu at our leisure. It's not the longest menu but there are plenty of options for everyone - from vegetarian to fish to big chunks of meat - most of which sounded absolutely delicious. Since we were celebrating, and not factoring the entree prices into our decision-making process, it took a while to decide what to order.
We had a bottle of Australian Greenpoint Shiraz which started out a little fruitier than we usually prefer but then seemed to mellow a bit as the meal went on. Before the food was brought out, they served tiny appetite-whetters of a watermelon chunk topped with a morsel of goat cheese, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and garnished with baby arugula - fresh and juicy.
The appetizers and the salads both come in two sizes - full portions and "tastes" - which is a nice option if you're concerned about ending your meal overstuffed. H had a taste portion salad of romaine hearts, avocado and queso fresco with a "creamy jalapeno-lime vinaigrette" while I had a taste portion baby frisee salad, with huge blackberries, candied pancetta (!!!) and butternut squash chips and a lovely, light citrus vinaigrette. My salad was excellent and H didn't leave any of his either.
For our entrees, H picked the Double R Ranch filet mignon (which was served the rarest version of medium I've ever seen), served with pepper-gruyere pureed potatoes, green beans and "micro mirepoix" which are simply micro greens of infant onions, carrots and celery. I tried the micro mirepoix and it was amazing: those teensy, tender plants tasted exactly like the vegetables they would grow up to be. I went with the grilled Rocky Mountain elk tenderloin, mostly because I've never had elk before. It was delicious - rare and tender - but if you had told me it was a cow, I would have believed that. The steak was served with pureed parsnip potatoes, a vegetable I don't remember, more of those giant blackberries and a marchand de vin sauce. It was sweetish (which our server had explained) but not overly so and I absolutely cleaned my plate. [Note: the portions at Log Haven are reasonable: not ridiculously huge as is par for the course in so many restaurants; but not so small as to send you home hungry and outraged at the price you've just paid.]
Of course we found room for dessert. I had the panna cotta with fresh cherry syrup and crumbled Amaretti cookies and H selected the molten lava cake. Our server told us that she didn't really care for the mint sorbet that the cake came with and would be happy to swap it out for any of their house-made ice creams (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or blueberry). H likes mint, however, so he went with that ... when our server checked in with us, H admitted that the sorbet was kind of like eating really cold toothpaste which made her laugh.
Now we were full.
Log Haven is not inexpensive. It is not going to be anyone's regular eating establishment (unless you have lots and lots of disposable income). But for special occasions, it is just wonderul. A beautiful and cool mountain setting, fantastic food and excellent service - it's worth the price when you're celebrating something. Plus they validate your Millcreek Canyon entry fee!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
root for the home team
SLC has its own AAA baseball team, the Bees, who have been around in one incarnation or the other since 1915 and who are currently a farm team for the Anaheim Angels. Their home field, the Spring Mobile Ballpark (located at 77 West 1300 South) is a great little ballpark, we were pleased to discover during H’s work’s summer outing there this past Tuesday, with double-decker seats, an outside-the-outfield berm for lounging and picnicking, a mini-train for the easily bored youngsters and a stunning view of the Wasatch Front.
The Bees themselves were less than stunning, having had a run of bad luck lately and losing 8 of their last 10 games. They lost 7-4 Tuesday night (so it was reported – we left after the 7th inning stretch), unable to muster enough offense despite some great defensive plays that roused the apathetic crowd out of its torpor. “Crowd” is hyperbole, frankly, as the stadium was less than half full. I would hope that more fans are going to non-school night games because it’s certainly a fun venue. Maybe the team just needs to start winning some games to draw folks back in.
Also, cheaper beers would draw folks in as well: $7.25 for local micro drafts. Yikes!
View to the southeast
The moon was just about to come up over yonder
Also, cheaper beers would draw folks in as well: $7.25 for local micro drafts. Yikes!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
tour of utah - stage 5
Sunday's Stage 5 was the Queen stage, the last, long ride from Park City to Snowbird. Ninety-six miles of grueling hills and fast descents - including the Alpine Loop (from Sundance to American Fork Canyon), Traverse Ridge in Draper and the 7-mile/8-12% grade climb from our house to Snowbird. Brutal. Plus it was incredibly windy, making the climbs even harder and the descents more dangerous.
We'd heard they were closing Little Cottonwood Canyon Road around 2:00 p.m. - the race started at 11:00 a.m. in PC - so we headed up there around noon, clutching our raincoats as we looked anxiously at the darkening clouds. Sure enough, the temperature dropped 20 degrees between Sandy and Snowbird, and we drove through a short but enthusiastic rain shower.
The parking lots were already getting full by the time we got up there: not only was this race going on, but Sunday was the first day of Snowbird's Oktoberfest ... which runs through the rest of August, all of September and October. We had enough time so we walked up to check out Oktoberfest. After paying $6.50 each for beer and listening briefly to the lederhosen-clad polka band, we decided that was all the Oktoberfest we needed.
We took our places along the fence about 200 m. from the finish line. Our positioning gave us a great view down the road as the riders made that last push, and we could watch them as they turned down into the finish area as well. Spectators lined the road on both sides - making me extremely nervous what with the running alongside the cyclists - and cheered madly for everyone, even after the winners (Jai Crawford for the stage win; and Levi Leipheimer for the tour win) went by.
We weren't able to get as near to the podium this time what with all the oodles of people, but we did get close enough to see the exhaustion and exhilaration on the riders' faces. It's too bad that George Hincapie didn't get to finish but it was wonderful to see an old guy like Levi (because yes, in this sport 36 is old) holding his own against the young up and comers. And it was great to see those young guys - sprinters like Alex Dowsett, powerhouses like Taylor Phinney and overall talents like Ian Boswell - the faces of cycling to come.
We'd heard they were closing Little Cottonwood Canyon Road around 2:00 p.m. - the race started at 11:00 a.m. in PC - so we headed up there around noon, clutching our raincoats as we looked anxiously at the darkening clouds. Sure enough, the temperature dropped 20 degrees between Sandy and Snowbird, and we drove through a short but enthusiastic rain shower.
Everybody polka!
The parking lots were already getting full by the time we got up there: not only was this race going on, but Sunday was the first day of Snowbird's Oktoberfest ... which runs through the rest of August, all of September and October. We had enough time so we walked up to check out Oktoberfest. After paying $6.50 each for beer and listening briefly to the lederhosen-clad polka band, we decided that was all the Oktoberfest we needed.
Levi's last charge
We took our places along the fence about 200 m. from the finish line. Our positioning gave us a great view down the road as the riders made that last push, and we could watch them as they turned down into the finish area as well. Spectators lined the road on both sides - making me extremely nervous what with the running alongside the cyclists - and cheered madly for everyone, even after the winners (Jai Crawford for the stage win; and Levi Leipheimer for the tour win) went by.
We weren't able to get as near to the podium this time what with all the oodles of people, but we did get close enough to see the exhaustion and exhilaration on the riders' faces. It's too bad that George Hincapie didn't get to finish but it was wonderful to see an old guy like Levi (because yes, in this sport 36 is old) holding his own against the young up and comers. And it was great to see those young guys - sprinters like Alex Dowsett, powerhouses like Taylor Phinney and overall talents like Ian Boswell - the faces of cycling to come.
tour of utah - stage 4
Stage 4 was a criterium: a short course race held on city streets. In this case, the course was one mile long and the city was Park City. What was unusual about this crit was that it was hilly, really hilly: the cyclists went up Main Street for a half-mile at a 12% grade. And they did it over and over and over again for 75 minutes. Actually, they lucked out as it had been scheduled for 90 minutes but was shortened due to concerns about the heat.
H told me that several of the riders - the sprinters - were annoyed with this course. Sprinters aren't climbers, you see, and the 2010 Tour of Utah had two mountain stages (2 and 5), two hilly stages (1 and 4) and a time trial - nothing that catered to them. Still, this Park City crit offered some of the most exciting bicycle racing I've seen, what with the fast climbs, faster descents (at one point, the peloton came surging over a rise and down a hill altogether like a herd of buffalo) and sharp corners.
Charging up Main Street
H told me that several of the riders - the sprinters - were annoyed with this course. Sprinters aren't climbers, you see, and the 2010 Tour of Utah had two mountain stages (2 and 5), two hilly stages (1 and 4) and a time trial - nothing that catered to them. Still, this Park City crit offered some of the most exciting bicycle racing I've seen, what with the fast climbs, faster descents (at one point, the peloton came surging over a rise and down a hill altogether like a herd of buffalo) and sharp corners.
Hometown boy wins it
Park City was packed for this race. We parked at the high school and took a shuttle into and out of town (super-convenient and well-organized). We mostly stood by the start/finish line, right at the fence, and were in great position to watch the racers come charging up Main Street. The best part: Jeff Louder, SLC native, crushed the field and won handily with about a minute between him and the rest of the field. Levi Leipheimer hung in there and kept his yellow jersey for yet another day.
Bob Roll interviews Levi post-race
tour of utah - stage 3
The third stage of the Tour of Utah took place at 6:30 p.m. Friday night at Miller Motorsports Park in Erda/Tooele. We got out there faster than we expected so we stopped in for a pre-race beer at the Tracks Sports Bar in Tooele, not something I would necessarily recommend. I mean, I like dive bars but this wasn't a dive: it was kind of skanky, but not in a having-character way. Still, beer.
Miller Motorsports Park is a huge and (apparently - what do I know from race tracks) sophisticated racing facility. We wandered around the garage bays for quite some time, checking out the emaciated cyclists and their really expensive bikes.
This stage was a time trial: a twisty, turny, flat 9.2 mile course. Although there is a grandstand overlooking the track, we couldn't find spots at the rail and instead opted to sit trackside, just beyond the finish line where we could see the cyclists coming. My friend Jody from work and her husband, both avid road cyclists, met us there and we watched the race together.
Young cyclist-to-watch Taylor Phinney won the time trial, giving him the stage win; Levi came in just two seconds behind him - pretty good for having 16 years on Taylor.
Miller Motorsports Park is a huge and (apparently - what do I know from race tracks) sophisticated racing facility. We wandered around the garage bays for quite some time, checking out the emaciated cyclists and their really expensive bikes.
Levi's time trial bike
This stage was a time trial: a twisty, turny, flat 9.2 mile course. Although there is a grandstand overlooking the track, we couldn't find spots at the rail and instead opted to sit trackside, just beyond the finish line where we could see the cyclists coming. My friend Jody from work and her husband, both avid road cyclists, met us there and we watched the race together.
Stage 3 jerseys: Ian Boswell (young rider), Paco Mancebo (KOM),
Darren Lill (Utah rider), Levi (overall), David Tanner (sprinter)
Young cyclist-to-watch Taylor Phinney won the time trial, giving him the stage win; Levi came in just two seconds behind him - pretty good for having 16 years on Taylor.
tour of utah - stage 2
Stage 2 was wild and woolly: a mountaintop finish on Mt. Nebo amid a hugenormous storm with rain and hail. The racers started at Thanksgiving Point, just above Utah Lake, then went around the lake and down to Nephi, then climbing 4,000 feet above the lowest part of the ride for the finish.
H drove up to the finish from the other (Payson) side of the Mt. Nebo scenic drive, snagging a parking spot about a quarter-mile from the finish line. He soon found that he didn't need any sunscreen, instead embracing his raincoat as the weather moved through, leaving temperatures in the high 50s by the time the cyclists got to the top.
Levi Leipheimer won the stage and moved into the overall racer leader (yellow jersey) position, despite some struggles with the higher altitude. Poor George Hincapie went out of the race after a solo crash and yesterday's race leader, young Brit Alex Dowsett finished twelve minutes behind.
Local yokel Jeff Louder (finished 18th)
H drove up to the finish from the other (Payson) side of the Mt. Nebo scenic drive, snagging a parking spot about a quarter-mile from the finish line. He soon found that he didn't need any sunscreen, instead embracing his raincoat as the weather moved through, leaving temperatures in the high 50s by the time the cyclists got to the top.
Ian Boswell (3rd), Levi (1st), Francisco Mancebo (2nd)
Levi Leipheimer won the stage and moved into the overall racer leader (yellow jersey) position, despite some struggles with the higher altitude. Poor George Hincapie went out of the race after a solo crash and yesterday's race leader, young Brit Alex Dowsett finished twelve minutes behind.
tour of utah - stage 1
It's going to be all cycling, all the time around here for the next, oh, five posts, what with us being Tour of Utah junkies and all.
Stage 1, August 18 (also my dad's birthday!), went from Ogden to the U's Research Park in the foothills above SLC, touring past Snowbasin ski resort, through Morgan County, past East Canyon reservoir and through Emigration Canyon for a total of 85 miles. The biggest hill climb was over Big Mountain for 2,000 feet of elevation in about six miles.
H was there for the finish. The racers sort of snuck up on the announcers who'd gotten misinformation from a team car radio and thus were a little unprepared and surprised when David Tanner sprinted across the finish line. Alex Dowsett won the stage - and also Best Young Rider and King of the Mountain ... but it won't last [SPOILER].
Stage 1, August 18 (also my dad's birthday!), went from Ogden to the U's Research Park in the foothills above SLC, touring past Snowbasin ski resort, through Morgan County, past East Canyon reservoir and through Emigration Canyon for a total of 85 miles. The biggest hill climb was over Big Mountain for 2,000 feet of elevation in about six miles.
L to R: David Tanner, Alex Dowsett and Javier Megias
H was there for the finish. The racers sort of snuck up on the announcers who'd gotten misinformation from a team car radio and thus were a little unprepared and surprised when David Tanner sprinted across the finish line. Alex Dowsett won the stage - and also Best Young Rider and King of the Mountain ... but it won't last [SPOILER].
wheels on asphalt
In addition to the engine-powered speed demons, we also saw a bunch of leg-powered speed demons: the Tour of Utah has arrived! This is a bike race (like a mini Tour de France), touted as the "toughest stage race" in the country, what with all the mountains and altitude we have here. H is a bicyclist and through him I've become interested in the sport (as a spectator) so we were really excited to see some of the stages.
The prologue (preliminary time trial) was held in downtown SLC at the capital. We found a parking spot in the Avenues, walked down the east side of Memory Grove and then back up the west side, and arrived right on time for the start. Since it's a time trial, the cyclists go out one at a time, at 30-second intervals, and race the clock. The less-good guys go first and the best cyclists ride last, so we had time to walk around and look at the vendors (I had a daiquiri-flavored sno-cone) and the various cycling teams.
The better riders were camped out by their team buses, riding trainers and warming up. There are some pretty big names here (if you're a cycling fan), most particularly George Hincapie, a veteran of fifteen Tours de France, and Levi Leipheimer.
Big George was easy to pick out. He's like 9 feet tall (not really but most cyclists are short and since he's around 6', he seems like a giant) and soooooo skinny. People were swarming him, taking photographs and trying to shake his hand; he had his game face on and put up with it for a little while.
There was a decent crowd but we were able to stand right next to the starting gate for both George's and Levi's starts, as well as move to the finish line for their finishes. Neither of them won the prologue - some whippersnapper from Radio Shack did - but managed to position themselves well for the coming stages. It was a beautiful evening for a bike race and pretty exciting to see these world class athletes competing in our new hometown.
The prologue (preliminary time trial) was held in downtown SLC at the capital. We found a parking spot in the Avenues, walked down the east side of Memory Grove and then back up the west side, and arrived right on time for the start. Since it's a time trial, the cyclists go out one at a time, at 30-second intervals, and race the clock. The less-good guys go first and the best cyclists ride last, so we had time to walk around and look at the vendors (I had a daiquiri-flavored sno-cone) and the various cycling teams.
The better riders were camped out by their team buses, riding trainers and warming up. There are some pretty big names here (if you're a cycling fan), most particularly George Hincapie, a veteran of fifteen Tours de France, and Levi Leipheimer.
Big George, warming up
Big George was easy to pick out. He's like 9 feet tall (not really but most cyclists are short and since he's around 6', he seems like a giant) and soooooo skinny. People were swarming him, taking photographs and trying to shake his hand; he had his game face on and put up with it for a little while.
Me and my new friend Levi
Levi was harder to find but we did track him down as he was warming up with the Radio Shack team, and wearing a RS jersey, even though he's not officially riding for RS in this race. When I sidled up to him for a picture, I wished him good luck and he thanked me. He's a tiny little guy and has tan lines on his scalp from his bike helmet.
Taylor Phinney, the whippersnapper who won the prologue
There was a decent crowd but we were able to stand right next to the starting gate for both George's and Levi's starts, as well as move to the finish line for their finishes. Neither of them won the prologue - some whippersnapper from Radio Shack did - but managed to position themselves well for the coming stages. It was a beautiful evening for a bike race and pretty exciting to see these world class athletes competing in our new hometown.
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