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All posts for the month November, 2019

DC in December

Posted by golfkat on November 30, 2019
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Sports, Travel. 1 Comment
It has been over 30 years since I spent any time at all back east during the winter.  This should be rather interesting and different.  Not just sitting outside (in the cold rain) for the Niner-Raven game, but just negotiating my way through the turmoil of DC in winter.
It is enough of a mess in the White House, and all that noise.  So, no visits, as if I was invited anyway.  But it might be best to just stay inside and take a deeper and more thorough visit into the Smithsonians.  I love them anyway, and the cold weather outside is a great excuse to stay inside.
So, I need to pack clothes for the game.  And I need to pack for traipsing around DC.  And I need clothes that I am comfortable wearing.  And most of all, I need to stay warm!!!!  But then I am headed to Atlanta to see my buddy, Ken Bob.
I vividly recall having rental cars, and trying to drive in the snow and ice.  Fortunately, I always asked for a front wheel drive car.  And a windshield scraper.  I always packed gloves, a wool cap, and a big muffler.  Most likely, I prayed a lot back then!
But most cities tend to shut down in big storms.  DC is no different.  The government employees generally get a free pass when the weather gets too rough to commute.  We should be so fortunate out in sunny California.  Typical DC weather is a high of 48 and a low of 30, with SEVEN days of rain (or maybe snow).
When you google “DC in December”, it says the Smithsonians are open every day, and they are FREE!  And it says it only snows one or two days in the month, with up to an inch of snow.  And every five years, it snows 3 inches.
I will try to hit a few of my favorite places, like Momofuku DC.  Last time, I was able to get a great seat in the kitchen bar area, and observe all that action!  It turns out the best action was at this great filtered water spigot, installed right into the kitchen bar.  It was the most popular spot in the entire restaurant!
Fortunately, the Metro runs underground, mostly.  So, I can get to places like the airport, and Union Station.  Buses also seem impervious to even the heaviest snow and rain.  And if I bring my snowshoes, I can walk to dinner.
What do the experts tell us to do when visiting DC in December?  First, visit Union Station.  Their model train display is among the best.  Other suggestions: the Smithsonians, of course, theater, dinner, Chinatown and the Holiday Market, the famous Christmas tree at the Willard Hotel (afternoon tea), shopping in Georgetown, and one of the many tour buses around the DC sights.  Just make sure you sit inside, near the heater!
And with the plethora of bars and restaurants, it is easy to find a respite from the bad weather.  That is, if they are open!  So, I will find a nearby bar, and just camp out there until the weather clears.  The cutest one is just a few yards away, called Sweet Georgia Brown!  If I get really bored, I can visit the National Christmas Tree, or the Capitol Christmas Tree, or the Union Station Christmas Tree.
The last time I was caught back east in a big snow storm, I ended up staying an extra day to due cancelled flights.  I ended up at a movie with a co worker, and then hung out in the bar all night.  Let’s hope I do not have to do that again!  Somebody told me that Grandfather Frost shows up in DC during the month of December.
Perhaps I can best summarize this trip to DC.  I am headed to Atlanta, and hopefully warmer weather.  And of course, Go Niners!!!!

Surviving Long Flights

Posted by golfkat on November 26, 2019
Posted in: Action, Entertainment, Travel. Leave a comment
We have all been on the flight to or from Hell.  I was on such a flight just in September to Washington, DC.  I ended up with a window seat, since my original seat did not recline.  My seat, as it turns out, was “broken” and would not recline.  The couple in my row were about as “spread out” as can possibly be in a confined space.  I think they brought just about everything they owned, and placed it either under the seat, or on top of themselves!  It was just another flight from hell.
Most of the time, the flight from hell (FFH) involves a long international flight, over the ocean, considerable darkness, and very few amenities.  And always in coach, always on a terrible airline, and always seated next to the most obnoxious people in the world.
So, what can be done to make these flights a little more tolerable?  Especially when First Class is pricey or sold out.
The first suggestion is to pick your seat wisely.  On wide bodies, I try to find the middle of the plane, on an aisle with four seats.  I choose an aisle seat next to an empty middle seat, for obvious reasons.  On my last international coach seat from SFO to Dublin (and Amsterdam) on Aer Lingus, it worked out great.  The seat next to me was empty, and the passenger in front was very courteous.  My friend Susan sat behind me, most fortunately. It was about as tolerable as 9 hours in coach could be.
Second, I ordered a special meal, a nice salmon or steak dinner, which I had ordered before on previous trips.  I was about as happy as anyone can be in coach. Add a glass of wine or bubbly, and I was a happy camper for about half an hour.
Some of these “secrets” are not really very hard to figure out.  Just use some common sense or logic.
Dressing comfortably is important, as in dressing in layers.  I like to wear a shirt with a light jacket or sweater.  Leave the heavy stuff in the overhead!  And if the airline does not supply slippers, bring some of your own disposable ones that you stole from a previous airline or hotel.
Bring your own stuff!  Like, neck pillows, water, snacks, hand cleaner, moisturizer, sleeping mask, breath mints, and even mouthwash.  I am rather particular about my snacking, as I make my own trail mix, and only buy specific items from the airport vendors.  The Spam musubi in Hawaii is my all time favorite.  But I also like baguette sandwiches (from LePanier), apples and cheese, as well as a gourmet sandwich.
But the all time best item to bring for your own PEACE of mind is noise cancelling headphones.  While not perfect, they really help.  My Bose headphones have been all over the world.  It changes everything, including watching movies, listening to music, or sleeping.  Invest in a pair!
I tend to rely on an easy to read book, since the movies are rather inconsistent in quality.  My preference is the easy to read novels by John Grisham.  And I always bring a travel book for the primary destination of my trip.  It really helps pass the time.
Sleep is a very scarce commodity for many of us.  Even with the help of prescription sleeping pills, I am lucky to get two to three hours of sleep in coach or First Class.  But I highly recommend this for just about everyone.
Once a decade or so, I do find someone interesting to talk with.  But I try to be careful, since it creates more noise for those around me.  But I have met some really interesting people, like guy named Bob.  Turns out he was the famous actor, Robert Duvall, a most gracious and interesting character.  And I have met famous photographers, writers, world class athletes, and a whole bunch of just very nice people.
Did I forget anything?  Maybe you have some secrets.

Really, What Is Los Angeles?

Posted by golfkat on November 25, 2019
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Sports, Travel. Leave a comment
I tend to use the terms Southern California and Los Angeles interchangeably.  And I am not speaking of the myriad of freeway interchanges.  We often refer to LA, SoCal, or LALA Land as one entity.  The actual city of Los Angeles is really just a part, a rather big part of the SoCal scene.
Most of us know Los Angeles as the entertainment capital of the world.  You may remember the great Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show.  He actually moved the show from New York City, the Big Apple, to Los Angeles!  The nerve of the guy.
On a real understated note, the area has more than 100 museums.  To balance out the culture, there is the ultimate tourist trap in the universe, the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  About 2,614 stars are imbedded in the grungy sidewalks of Hollywood.
I also attended the Olympics here in 1984.  LA, the only North American city to host the Olympics twice, hosted the Olympics previously in 1932.  A lucky third time will occur in 2028.
LA is also home to the NFL Rams and Chargers, the NBA Lakers and Clippers, and the Dodgers.  Just down the road, the Anaheim Angels play across the freeway from Disneyland.  Oh, and the NHL Kings, and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.  And two major universities, UCLA and USC are both immensely popular and successful.
Little known to many is the Los Angeles city government complex is largest after the Federal government in Washington, DC.  And the largest historical theater district on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fashion is still big business here, with 87,000 jobs in the garment and fashion industry.  A whopping 700,00 work in health are and related businesses.  And 190,000 work in aerospace and technology.
The City of LA itself is 472 square miles.  LA County is 4.084 square miles, and the five county area is 34,135 square miles.  There are 88 incorporated cities in LA County.
The last estimate of population in 2016 is 4 million, ten million in the county, and nearly 20 million in the five county region.  LA County was the first in the nation to reach ten million.  If the county were a state, it would be the seventh largest in the US!!  Latinos (Hispanics) make up the majority, with nearly 49% of the population.
Many argue that the LA coastline has the best beaches on the entire west coast.  If you measure the quality of the beach by the bikini clad young ladies, I would agree!  Malibu, Venice, Long Beach, Manhattan, Redondo, all have their fair share of loyal beach goers.
For us cyclists, LA has over 430 miles of bikeways, including 120 new miles created within the city of LA itself.  Who would ever have thought that back in the car crazy Sixties?
LA County’s GDP ($807 billion) would rank 19th in the world if it were a stand alone country.  It remains the second most populous city in the US, behind NYC.
The list of famous people is quite long, but here are a few that might surprise you:  Shirley Temple (the drink was also invented here in LA), George Takei, Robert Redford, Marilyn Monroe, Duchess of Sussex, H.R. Haldemann, Frank Gehry, and Herb Alpert.
Oil was discovered here in the 1890s, about the time my grandfather arrived from Japan.  It was near the present location of Dodger Stadium.
Most people do not know that Griffith Park in LA is the largest state park in California.  At 3,210 acres, it is also home to the Los Angeles Zoo, planetarium, Greek Theater (great for concerts), and Griffith Observatory.
The LA County Coroner’s Office has a gift shop, and I have been there.  The famous “coroner to the stars”, Dr. Thomas Noguchi, presided over many famous autopsies.
LA is home to the famous burger chain, In N Out Burger, one of our all time favorites.
Since 1950, Oscar winners cannot officially sell their statuette. Before taking home the Oscar, the laureates have to sign an agreement according to which they can’t sell their trophy without first offering it back to the Academy for one dollar.
LA and San Francisco become 2.5 inches closer each year due to the infamous San Andreas Fault.
The last solar eclipse in LA was in 1724.  The next one?  Try April 1, 3290
When the LA doctors went on strike due to rising malpractice premiums, the mortality rate dropped by 18%!!!!
The City of LA uses 96 million plastic balls to prevent evaporation of its drinking water, saving water for 8100 people per year!
A big city always has lots of “secrets” or little known facts.  Maybe you know something you can share with us.  Maybe a secret tomb or underground night club.  LA is enough to navigate without adding another layer of complexity!
Again, we had to cancel, but I hated to have this email disappear into cyberspace.

Just the LA Facts, Ma’am!

Posted by golfkat on November 24, 2019
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Travel. Leave a comment
The famous words of Sargent Joe Friday (played by Jack Webb) on Dragnet resonate when visiting Los Angeles.  It was one of the first “police” shows on TV back in the Fifties, when we got our first black and white TV.  But there are more facts to LA than meet the eye.
In perhaps the ultimate oxymoron, Los Angeles has more museums per capita of any city in the world!  A total of 841 museums can be found throughout this metropolis.  Perhaps the best one, the Getty Museum in Brentwood, is also free (though there is a parking fee).  The building itself cost $1.3 billion to construct, and it houses 230,635 pieces inside.  Of interest, and creating quite a spectacle, 300 goats are used each year to munch on the surrounding grass on the hilly property.
Even back during my childhood visits to Los Angeles, we learned about its great diversity.  People from over 140 countries call LA their home now.  And though everyone knows about Chinatown and Japantown, there are also Koreatown, Little Ethiopia, Thai Town, Little Armenia, and Little Saigon.  Best of all, they are a food lover’s delight.  I strongly suggest a visit to at least one on each of your visits.
Why did the film industry end up in Los Angeles?  Blame Thomas Edison, of all people.  Why?  Edison held the patent for the moving picture, so anyone making a movie would have to pay him for intellectual rights.  LA was quite far from his home in New Jersey.  The distance gave filmmakers enough time to high tail it across the border to Mexico before Edison’s agent could shut them down.  Today, one in six people are involved in the entertainment business.
Why do I love LA?  Most importantly, I have many dear relatives here, who over the decades, have treated us like royalty.  They provided for our first trips to big amusement parks, like Disneyland, trips to the beach, and big sporting events.
So, yes, the museums, food, and film garner the glamour, but family ties are the centerpiece.  LA has so much to offer, if you can deal with the traffic.  I may have told you, that once upon a time, when I did consulting work down here, that I could drive surface streets, from downtown LA to LAX in less than 30 minutes at rush hour!!!!
PS:  This time, we are meeting Dirty Pat, and Mrs. DP (Renee’) since they are here for their Ravens game with the LA Chargers.
gettyhollywoodjoeolympics

Dump the Sugary Drinks!!!

Posted by golfkat on November 18, 2019
Posted in: Cultures, Food, Health. Leave a comment
I hope you read this, from my Alma Mater, the University of California.

A workplace ban on the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages led to a 48.5 percent average reduction in their consumption and significantly less belly fat among 202 participants in a study by researchers at the UC San Francisco.

Elissa Epel, Ph.D., lead author of the 10-month study that looked at positive health effects associated with reducing sugary beverages intake.
Credit: UCSFBy the end of the 10-month study, the participants who had reduced their intake of sugary beverages, like sodas, sports drinks and sweetened teas, also tended to show an improvement in insulin resistance and lowered total cholesterol.

“This shows us that simply ending sales of sugary drinks in the workplace can have a meaningful effect on improving health in less than one year,” said lead author Elissa Epel, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and director of the UCSF Aging, Metabolism, and Emotions Center. “There is a well-known pathway from soda to disease. High sugar intake leads to abdominal fat and insulin resistance, which are known risk factors for diabetes, heart disease, cancer and even dementia. Recent studies have also linked sugar intake to early mortality.”

The study, which publishes in the Oct. 28 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine, had begun in the period before UCSF ended the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages across all of its campus sites and medical facilities in 2015. The participants, who were all UCSF employees, were assessed again 10 months after the sales ban had begun.

“This was not a ban on the consumption of sugared beverages,” emphasized senior author Laura Schmidt, Ph.D., MSW, MPH, UCSF professor in the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies. “People could still bring them from home or buy them off campus. This study demonstrates the value in rigging workplace environments to support people’s health rather than the opposite. UCSF simply took sugary drinks out of workplace vending machines, break rooms and cafeterias, and wound up improving employees’ health.”

So, if you are a decision maker either at WORK or at HOME, I strongly suggest following this example.  The proof to me, seems overwhelming.  But I will still drink my champagne.  Just be smart about everything. My key:  MODERATION!!!

sugarsugar1sugar2

The “Free” Walking Tour

Posted by golfkat on November 17, 2019
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Travel. Leave a comment
If you are at all similar to me and my travel habits, you sprint the opposite direction when the word “free” is placed in front of anything.  We all know about the “free” timeshare presentation, or the “free” historical walking tour, or the “free” meal in exchange for your undivided attention for 90 minutes, right?
Well, I have done several free walking tours over the years, in places like Berlin, Dublin, Hanoi, Tokyo, Boston, Bucharest, Mexico City, Addis Ababa, and perhaps others that I cannot recall.  The results are somewhat mixed, depending primarily on the quality of the guide, the subject matter being studied, the weather, and the size of the group.
Now, it turns out some of the big travel companies are doing the same.  They carefully screen applicants, putting them through a rigorous qualification process.  The successful guide, a so-called “guide partner” is one of just 2% of all applicants who pass written history tests, and face to face interviews.  Obviously, story telling is a key ingredient.  The guides are independent contractors who pay a per head “marketing” fee to the company.
One such company, Sandemans New Europe Tours has about 600 guides in 17 different countries.  In 2018, they guided over TWO million guests.  And most obviously, they are working for tips.  If guests lose interest, and leave, the tip will not materialize.  They say the optimum size for the walking tour is 23 to 27 people.  If more show up, a second guide arrives, and the group is divided.
Why opt for a free tour?  Perhaps the number one reason is no risk is involved.  If a guest finds something else to do, is not feeling well, or does not like the weather, they can cancel without any cost.  Or, like me, if the guide is not very interesting, simply walk away.  I had to do this in Boston on Halloween, and Sydney.
Likewise, when I pay a decent fee for a paid guide, or even more expensive, a private guide, I am stuck.  I must pay, I must try to listen, and finally, I must tip!!  I had such an expensive, private guide in Moscow.  Though she was very knowledgeable, the amount of detail in her lessons on Russian history were just too much for me.  Some history and background is good.  But what interests me most is getting a real understanding of the culture.  For instance, why all female Russians, regardless of age, must strike a real pose before each snapshot?  BTW, I never got a real answer there.
But my private guide in St. Petersburg was a delight.  I laid out the ground rules first, and she was more than happy to do it my way.  I wanted some real insights into Russian culture, so we spent more time talking, lounging at sidewalk cafes, than taking in the sights.  I am more than capable of doing the tourist sites without a guide by my side.  For instance, we shared an interest in Dostoyevsky, so we visited his home.  I wanted to know how the wealthier Russians shopped and indulged themselves, so we went to the high end places I would never find on my own.
One common thread that runs through all guides is the need to provide historical background.  And while some history is necessary, too much is enough to drive me away.  I also find that the only way to ask questions at the time I think of them, is to commandeer and ask the guide as we move between venues. And of course, the bad ones get thrown off their spiel if guests ask too many questions in the middle of a venue.
My free tour in Berlin was very interesting, for several reasons.  My guide provided a good balance of artifacts (The Berlin Wall), history (mostly Nazi), and current events (fun stuff to do and where to eat).  This is quite rare since most guides focus only on history.
These free walking tours originated with the backpacker crowd, with a focus on pub tours.  Now, the majority of tours are for families, seniors, and independent travelers.  I still like the pub tours, however.  Lately, I have focused on foodie type tours, since they provide a huge glimpse into both daily life and culture of the city and country.  Specifically, I really enjoyed the foodie tours in Hanoi (on the back of a moto), Mexico City, Dublin, and Tokyo.
One very undeniable fact: if you have a good contact in the city you are visiting, they provide the best experience.  But these free or paid tours can be almost as good. So, do your research, and find the right tour for your interests.
timeswalkwalk prague

Hoo Doos Cast Their Spell

Posted by golfkat on November 13, 2019
Posted in: Action, Cultures, National Parks, Travel. 1 Comment
What is a hoodoo?  It is a pillar of rock, usually of fantastic shape, left by erosion.  A hoodoo can also cast a spell.  Our visit to Bryce Canyon National Park was highlighted by the hoodoos surrounded by the beauty of southern Utah.  About ten million years ago, forces within the Earth created then moved large blocks known as the Table Cliffs and Paunsaugunt plateaus.
Rock layers on the Table Cliffs now tower 2000 feet above corresponding layers on the Paunsaugunt.  Ancient rivers carved the tops and exposed the edges of these blocks, removing some layers and sculpting formations in others.  The Paria

River and its tributaries still carve the plateau edges and steep slopes of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, on which lies the national park.

Any photos you have ever seen, do not portray the hoodoos as mysteriously and beautifully as reality.  They are much darker, reddish orange, and almost neon is appearance.

In plain English, the hoodoos are a breathtaking and fascinating natural wonder of Bryce.  Each year, about 1.7 million people visit Bryce Canyon.  It was President Warren Harding who proclaimed this area to be Bryce Canyon National Monument in 1923.  Whoever said he did nothing as President was wrong.  This was his best contribution!

Bryce Point and Sunset Point were the two most spectacular vantage points.  We could see for tens of miles on a cold, crisp, and clear winter day.  It snowed last night up here, so the red hoodoos dusted with snow were extra spectacular.
We also stopped at Ruby’s General Store on the way.  Ruby’s has a little of everything, from gasoline, groceries, hunting and fishing equipment, guided tours, backpacking gear, and souvenirs.  Ruby, now deceased, was a man, whose kids still own and operate the store, and general retail complex.

Though Bryce is a two hour drive from St. George, it was worth the time.  It rivals any national parks we have seen, including Yosemite and the Grand Canyon.  Make sure you visit both Zion and Bryce on your next trip here.

Fast forward to today:  the weather should be better than my last visit, when we encountered ice and snow on the ground, making hiking through the hoodoos rather dangerous.  Bryce is one of my favorite National Parks.  Thank you Teddy Roosevelt, John Muir, the Sierra Club, and all who love nature.

You-tah! Could Be for You, Too!

Posted by golfkat on November 12, 2019
Posted in: Action, Cultures, National Parks, Sports, Travel. Leave a comment
Growing up, all is knew about Utah was the Great Salt Lake, copper mines, and Mormons.  Over the years, having done both business and adventure travel there, I have gained a better appreciation for the state, its people, and its incredible natural beauty.  Their national parks are among my very favorites.
So, let’s get the trivia out of the way first.  Salt Lake City-all three words have four letters.  Utah (our 11th largest state) was acquired by the US in 1848 (in a treaty ending the Mexican War), right around the time of the Gold Rush.  Utah has 11,000 miles of fishing streams, and 147,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs.  The “Ute” tribe of Native Americans gave the state its name, Utah.  Ute means people of the mountains.
The Great Salt Lake is the largest lake west of the Mississippi River.  Salt Lake hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.  I wish I would have attended.  The nearby mountains get over 500 inches of snow annually.  And having skied there, it is a winter wonderland for winter sports enthusiasts.  The dry snow is lighter than California “concrete”, and changes the effort needed to attack the black diamond runs.  Many experts call the snow, “the world’s great powder.”  I agree.
The Transcontinental Railroad was completed in Utah at Promontory on May 10, 1869.  It turns out many Japanese immigrants, many who later settled to farm in California, worked on both this railroad, as well as others.  I am told the weather was so cold, their leather soled shoes would stick to the rails in the early morning!
Utah is also the site of our country’s first department store, Zion Cooperative Mercantile Institution, founded in the late 1800s.  It (ZCMI) is still in operation today.  It was founded by none other than Brigham Young.
Would you believe the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake required 40 years to complete?  Speaking of, the Great Salt Lake covers 2,100 square miles, with an average depth of 13 feet.  The deepest point is 34 feet.  It is both a beautiful as well as haunting spectacle, depending on the season and time of day.
Utah has five national parks (Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonland), and seven national monuments, with six national forests. I love the natural beauty of this state.
Utah is where you can find one of the heaviest organisms on earth. The Trembling Giant, or Pando, in the Fishlake National Forest, is made up of 47,000 genetically identical trees that share a single root system. In addition to being notably massive, it’s also among the oldest organisms on earth—it’s been alive for more than 80,000 years.
I have always wanted to visit the Bonneville Salt Flats, where daredevils often try to break world land speed records.  The 30,000 acres are flat and smooth.  Every September, Bonneville Speed Week allows racers to break land speed records in various categories.  One such daredevil was Mickey Thompson, who tried for many years, using four Pontiac V8 engines to set the record.  He became the first American to surpass 400 mph!!  He once visited my Dad’s shop in Kingsburg.
The frisbee was invented in Utah, by Walter F. Morrison.  It began with he and his wife tossing tin cake pans back and forth at the beach.  He started making “Pluto Platters” back in 1948.
Of absolutely no importance, Utahans eat twice the amount of green jello as the rest of the population.  Why?  They love to put shredded carrots into this sweet treat here.  Likewise, the first KFC was born here, since Colonel Sanders best friend was Pete Harman, a Utah native.  Sanders convinced him to chicken on his menu at the Harman Cafe.
Kane County, often referred to as “Little Hollywood” hosted many films and TV shows of the Old West.  These include: The Lone Ranger (one of my favorites as a kid), Gunsmoke, Stagecoach, Arabian Nights, and Planet of the Apes.
The Kennecott Copper claims to have the largest man-made pit about 20 minutes outside of Salt Lake.  Over 18 million tons of copper has been produced, from the pit that reaches a quarter mile into the earth.  It can fit two Willis Buildings (Chicago) stacked on top of each other, with room to spare.
At this point, I think that is enough Utah trivia.  It is more than either of us want to know.  But I reiterate, Utah is a beautiful and wonderful place to visit.  You must go at least three times!frisbeekennecottpandosnowbird

Old Saint George (Utah)

Posted by golfkat on November 11, 2019
Posted in: Cultures, Food, Golf, National Parks, Travel. 2 Comments
Did they finally make a saint out of my dear Uncle George?  He was my Mom’s youngest sibling, and definitely, a real saint of a guy.  He spent his life farming the very land my Mom and her older sister and widowed mother farmed from pre-Relocation days (WW2).
The other St. George is located in southwestern Utah, about a 90 minute drive north of Las Vegas.  I have been there numerous times, for golf outings, to visit friends, and most often, to spend the night at a fabulous resort, Entrada at Snow Canyon.
I think for most people, the big draw is nearby Zion National Park, about an hour away.  But do not underestimate the city of St. George and the surrounding area.  Recreation opportunities are numerous, food options plentiful, and the scenery almost everywhere is strikingly red rocks.  Snow Canyon State Park is a red rock playground, often quite striking against the light snowfall of southern Utah winters.
We found a cute little Thai restaurant here, called Benja Thai, and even got to know the owner.  But the real highlight was finding Nielsen’s Frozen Custard, not easily found in the western U.S.  Staying at Entrada is a true resort experience, something you must try next time you are in Vegas or Utah.
One rather remarkable fact about St. G, it is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the U.S.  Why?  Retirees, new workers, and students.  The population currently sits around 90,000 people.
Back in the 50s, St. George received some nuclear fallout from above ground testing at the Nevada Test Site in Yucca Flats.
The city is only about 70 square miles.  The population is 70% LDS.  I-15 runs directly up here from Las Vegas. It is considered one of the safest cities in the U.S.  Notable (and former) residents include:  former major league pitcher Bruce Hurst, former US Senator Howard Cannon, the Romney family, The Piano Guys, actress Amanda Righetti, and Tanya Tucker.  St. G was also Brigham Young’s winter home.
Many famous movies were filmed here, including Butch Cassidy, Jeremiah Johnson, Romancing the Stone, Stir Crazy, and Harry’s War.  Plus, it just looks like a great place for a movie.
A little over 90 minutes from Vegas, St. G is also about 4 hours south of Salt Lake City.  For me, it is quiet, nice little town, mostly a stopover for a visit to Zion, and Bryce Canyon National Parks.  A great place to stop and stay.  See you there!Entrada 014Entrada 028Entrada 017nielsens

Las Weirdos

Posted by golfkat on November 10, 2019
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Travel. Leave a comment

From the very first time I visited Las Vegas, I thought it was a rather curious and weird place. So, instead of calling it “Lost Wages”, I think it should be called Las Weirdos. Let’s see why.

Vegas had nearly 150,000 hotel rooms. It would take 340 years to spend one night in each room!! The average rate is $150 a night.

Nineteen of the largest 25 hotels in the world are in Vegas!

The four hotels at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Ave. has more rooms than all of San Francisco.

The famous Strip is not located in Las Vegas. The Strip is in an unincorporated part of Clark County.

Head downtown if you want to cee the Brain Center.

Las Vegas is home to one of the largest Mormon populations. Casinos like to hire Mormons because they are honest.

There are over 300 blackjack tables in Vegas, and less than 250 Baccarat tables. Baccarat tables makes NINE times as much as the blackjack tables.

Prostitution is not legal, but you would think otherwise. But what about all those escort ads and strip joints?

Would you believe more than 60,000 pounds of shrimp are consumed daily in Vegas?

In a gambling state, the lottery is not legal.

The Wynn is the largest and most profitable casino in Vegas.

Vegas has nearly 200,000 slot machines.

On an average day, 315 couples get married here.

The average gambler spends $541 on each visit.

Nevada makes $11.9 billion from gambling.

Twenty six percent of visitors are from Southern California.

The average age of a Vegas visitor is 44.3 years. Millennials makes up 38%.

In fairness to all of these “facts”, please realize Las Vegas is home to over 3.09 million. And while I thought Vegas was nothing but casinos, showgirls, headliners, and desert, my friends in Vegas have taught me otherwise. It is a strong and vibrant community, particularly away from the casinos. And it has almost everything a traveler could want, except for an ocean. Oh wait, it has Oceans 11!!!!