An Ensign to the Nation: A little adventure in Salt Lake City...

State Capital Building

Home again! Today we got back from an impromptu vacation up in Salt Lake City, a fun little adventure. With school just around the corner for Garrett, we decided to do something spontaneous over the long weekend.
We don't really do hotels, the last time we stayed in one was my sisters wedding. So we booked a couple of days. So. Much. Fun. Hot tub? Thank you! Garrett knows I am a lover of food, so he spoiled me with Sushi at Ichiban. I just love my husband, and sushi. We spent Saturday wandering around the State Capital building, which is a pretty fun experience if you're looking for a free date night. They let you walk right in.

Ensign Peak

Just behind the capital building is Ensign Peak, another fun free activity. There is a lot of cool history behind it. In short, it's where Brigham Young and other pioneers first planned out the Salt Lake Valley. The name comes from several references to the "ensign" in the scriptures (see Isaiah 2:2-3) I just really wish that the city would maintain the monuments and trail better, because it's a pretty cool experience. I would however recommend going in the evening when it is cooler. You can check out more interesting stuff about it here. (Scroll down to find "Religious/Pioneer History of Ensign Peak")

Both Garrett and I were sporting flip flops, and hadn't planned on hiking anything, BUT we didn't let that get in our way. We ended up hiking up the face of the peak and hiking down the round about way.

When we were first dating we went up to Temple Square and then had dinner at this awesome Thai place I happened to have an expiring coupon to. We had hoped to find the same place but, no luck. So after Ensign Peak we tried out this little hole-in-the-wall place, Chanon Thai. It's one of those places that doesn't spend a whole lot on overhead, but the food is delicious and the price is right.

We ended up attending a Sunday meeting up in Salt Lake that meets in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Right? I had no idea they held services. To top off our weekend, the drive home was less than an hour. It was wonderful.

In light of our adventures at Ensign Peak, here is some food for thought this lovely Sabbath day, if you have a moment read the talk attached.

"I believe and testify that it is the mission of this Church to stand as an ensign to the nations and a light to the world. We have had placed upon us a great, all-encompassing mandate from which we cannot shrink nor turn aside. We accept that mandate and are determined to fulfill it, and with the help of God we shall do it."

                                                                     - Gordon B. Hinckley, October Ensign 2003