So, How Do You Like Utah?

I've been here almost 17 months now, and since I often say, "I'm new to the area", I am often asked, "So, how do you like Utah?"

Until a couple weeks ago, I sorta stumbled through the answer:

• It's fine.
• Everywhere I go, there I am.
• The mountains are beautiful, and they look different every day, in different light.

But there is always this undercurrent of:

• I don't feel a connection to my neighbors like I did in CA.
• The drivers are crazy with the red light running.
• I can't buy wine at Costco.

But I can still buy wine. What's more annoying - I apparently have to go outta state to buy my favorite breakfast cereal and my decaf tea bags. What's up with that?

While on a recent quick trip to Colorado, I had time to ponder the question again, and my analytical brain, without actually over-analyzing, believe it or not, came up with a good answer. 

8.0 to 8.5 on a scale of 10.

Since lots of other heathen friends and acquaintances of mine absolutely LOVE the area, I have to ponder why I don't LOVE it yet. One reason is because in the past 40 years, almost everywhere else I've lived has scored a 9.0 to 9.5! I've lived in some wonderful places and had some wonderful times:

• Lake Havasu City, AZ (1973 - 1983 plus a few more summers during college)
• Munich, Germany (1991 - 1993)
• Sonoma County, CA (1994 - 2008)
• Denver, Colorado (2008 - 2010)

Those would have to be the top 4, in chronological order. And the next 2 also scored high because of the life I built there and friends I had: Ventura County, CA (1983 - 1991) and eastern WA/upper ID (Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area) (2010 - 2014).

To be honest, I think Utah will eventually get up into the top 5, with a score of 9.0. It just hasn't had much of a chance yet, since I was working so much the first year and have just now started to explore the area, and build the agility lifestyle that I was spoiled with in Spokane. I've also got another idea brewing that will nudge it up another notch or two.

Just today I was able to put another tick in the "Pros" column, as I discovered I could drive around the big mountains in less than an afternoon, enjoy some beautiful scenery through Provo Canyon, and tire the dogs out in this awesome dog pond in Park City: