July 25, 2011

Celebrating "Pioneer Day" is really an ongoing activity in my life. I am a native Utahan largely due to my pioneer heritage. Back 164 years ago, Utah and surrounding territories were not the most beautiful and popular tourist attractions around. On the contrary, the countryside was dessert land with a salty lake in the middle. Go figure! The only people who came here (to Utah) were those seeking solace and peace from some kind of persecution. They must have been pretty desperate to come. Some were lucky enough to ride in a covered wagon or later on (after 1869), they came by train. However, most of the early settlers pulled a cart and walked their way here. Some walked 1200-1300 miles from the most western point of civilization at that time. The Utah territory was an unknown, and to walk here -- through Nebraska, Wyoming, and over the Rocky Mountains -- pretty tall commitment and solid dedication.

Flash forward to today -- the pioneer legacy has withstood generations of time! The once forlorn desolate dessert land has truly "blossomed as a rose" (Brigham Young). I love this place (after all it is the "right place"). I have traveled near and far and each time I return to the Salt Lake Valley, I sigh and feel that sense of emotion that there is "no place like home"! I love the valley, the mountains, the salty lake, the buildings and neighborhoods, the people, and just about everything!

The painting in this post is call "Zion, Ho" by Minerva Teichert. It features a pioneer woman who turns and exclaims her excitement to those who follow at seeing the Salt Lake Valley for the first time! This message is never ending. I feel like doing the same when I get that glimpse of the valley from on high.

Friday, Willie and I took the afternoon to do some pioneering on our own. We visited the DUP Museum, stopped by the old Council Hall across from the Capitol, drove through the "avenues", explored the City Cemetery, viewed the valley from the University of Utah, and stopped by the zoo for a churro. Our activity, although a little weird, only confirmed my great love of the Salt Lake Valley and the blessing I have of living here. I will tell all who think about living here to come! It is amazing, those who settled here were truly inspired!