Utah

Year of First Visit – 1995

Point of Entry – I-15 near St. George

There's probably no state more different from where I live than the state of Utah. Yet there is probably no place (besides places that I've lived) where I feel more at home.

The bulk of my Utah time has been spent in the Southwest corner of the state. Zion National Park is in my top 5 favorite places on the planet (others include Yosemite, Manhattan, San Francisco, and Disney World). And, depending on my mood, it usually ranks #1. I have days that I long to return and absorb all that it is.

Bryce Canyon is a treat, too, especially with my eldest being named Bryce. My kids think Knab was the model for “Peach Springs” in the movie “Cars.” The beautiful waters of Lake Powell set me to dreaming of houseboating there.

And though I'd like to explore much more of the state, like the northern mountains and the LDS Geneology Library, pulling off I-15 at highway 9 near Hurricane makes me feel like I've finally arrived home again.