As you were reading the last posting, Park City was getting ready for the Tour of Utah. It was a “schizo” day as it started with a HUGE thunder and lighting storm (which we got caught in on our way to breakfast!!) and then cleared to a beautiful day for a bike ride for the competitors.
Jane, Steve and Elizabeth en route to a wet breakfast.
Often many of the Tour de France participants are here for this race – but, this year those guys were all down in Rio competing for gold medals;-( That did NOT dampen the excitement up on Main Street, though, where the final stage begins and ends. Just like during the Olympics – the street is closed (except for the racers) and it becomes a real party!!
Looking up Main Street Park City to the start of this day’s leg of the Tour of Utah.
Two laps through old town before the next 100+ miles and the finish line at the top of Main.
The photographer at “work” while E and Jane drink champagne!
Again the week was filled with many more dinners, rounds of golf, gym visits and bike rides as well as the more mundane tasks like a Medicare webinar;-)!! But – what we were really looking forward to was the little ‘break’ at the end of the week where the weekend would be spent at the Balloon Festival in Eden, UT. Why this Balloon Fest you ask??? Well, some friends here in Park City have several balloons that they fly in these events and we had never really investigated the area around Eden/Huntsville – so why not??
Friday the car was packed with everything we owned (this reminded us why we have the Bus for such events – but all the ‘parking’ spaces for Magic were full by the time the decision was made to do this – so it was a car trip) and we were off to Huntsville and the Atomic Chalet B&B.
Interesting – no information about the Balloon Fest anywhere – AND no signs of the morning events!! It was lunch time, though, so off to check out Eden, the festival park and find lunch. Information in Eden – WHAT, NO BALLOON FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND??? IT’S NEXT WEEKEND?? NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Well, we have our room and nothing else to do – so let’s check out the area. First up – wander downtown Huntsville – –
The Town Hall complete with ballot box on the front porch.
Not sure how this is monitored? Ripe for Trump complaints of cheating;-(
This scene reminded Gary of his Texas farming roots.
After this lengthly walk (not) through Huntsville it was dinner time. The Shooting Star – the oldest continuously operating saloon in the state of Utah – was the destination for the BEST burgers – at the BEST prices!!
The Shooting Star Saloon, where you can still get a great cheeseburger for $5 – –
– – and a Beer!!
And another moose sighting!
Huntsville is the ‘entry point’ for two of the more local ski areas in UT – Snow Basin (which was completely upgraded for the 2002 Olympics as it was used for the Downhill) and Powder Mountain (a more rustic, local ski area). Since neither E nor G had ever been to Powder Mt – it needed to be checked out. After a scary drive up several thousand feet we were rewarded with some incredible views – –
A view from the top of the Powder Mountain Ski Area above Eden, Utah.
Well, since there were no balloons to be seen – we returned to Park City to check out the Art Festival there. As usual, Main St. was packed with artists displaying their wares and all the buyers shopping for their special ‘something’ on a crystal clear blue sky day.
The Kimball Art Festival was in full bloom on Park City Main Street.
As were the flowers and the “hotties”.
Another week packed full of fun activities (happening or not!!) in and around Park City;-) Just more evidence of why it is loved here in the summer time.
E & G taking a break for a morning;-)
Elizabeth & Gary's Magic Bus Tour 