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Looking for something else to do after the game(s) in Utah?

Alaskawildkat

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Dec 29, 2005
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A Fillmore, Utah sunset:
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Consider taking a drive to Utah's first and former capital, Fillmore.

Someone had posted the following comment on a thread regarding "the Mr. Irrelevant" President Millard Fillmore:

"The legislature of the Territory of Utah established the first territorial capital at Fillmore (City), and located it in the county of Millard. This was done to honor President Fillmore, and was an attempt to solicit his support for statehood. The capital was later moved to Salt Lake City when it became clear that there was going to be a struggle to get the Utah Territory admitted to the Union as a state ..... Fillmore is a hopping place (right off I-15, a couple of hours south of Salt Lake City). ....."


In my responsive posting I added the following as to "Things to do in/around Fillmore, Utah:"

One could actually spend most of a day exploring Fillmore and its environs. The building the original capital was housed in still stands and one can take tours of it and a number of museum quality exhibits located there. Some of the best deep fried mushrooms in the country can be ordered at the drive in on the main drag. I believe there is a major mushroom growing and packing plant in the vicinity. Within a half hour or so drive are hot springs that are big enough to swim in. There is another nearby site where volcano made features akin to what one would find in Hawaii are existant. Deer run rampant in the downtown park. Four wheeling is a big draw in the hills just outside of town.

Now for a numismatic twist, Fillmore is located (as the crow flies) 30 miles from Utah's Gunnison Correctional Facility and 67 miles distant by car. Now housed there is the infamous coin counterfeiter Mark Hoffman who was jailed after killing with mailbox bombs two individuals tied to some yet to be forged documents he had promised to sell to them or members of their families.

He counterfeited his first coin at the age of 14 and claimed credit for creating the "spectacular so-called 'transitional error' of a 1959-D United States cent with a (1909-1958) wheat back reverse" which actually went to auction in Beverly Hills after the auction was temporarily halted by the Secret Service. The story of that "mule" is more fully set forth in the book titled "Numismatic Forgery" as authored by his former prison guard Charles M. Larson. (Of note, as described in the book, the past President of the American Numismatic Association, Bob Campbell opinioned the coin was a fake even though it was allowed to go to auction.)
 
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THE thing to do during winter in Utah is ski... Imagine that. Both ThomCat and myself (Waterboy) own timeshare condo units at Snowbird - Utah's premier ski resort - in the Wasatch Range, up the Little Cottonwood Canyon just east of SLC. In fact SLC skiing venues are many, varied to accommodate all skiing skill levels and are absolutely dumped with a great snow base (120--plus inches) right now. If sliding down a mountain face on long boards is your thing... this is the place to do so. Snowbird & Alta in the Little Cottonwood Canyon are the best & most affordable "steep & deep" destinations in the U.S. Brighton & Solitude, located on the adjacent Big Cottonwood Canyon, are other pair of extremely attractive ski locales as well. Then there is the Park City Chain of ski resorts (a consonsortium of venues which include Park CIty & Canyonlands) and Deer Valley both of which hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics downhill and cross country ski events - just a short car ride outside SLC city limits - all very good skiing destinations with the added attraction of an unreal attractive apre ski nightlife (one of the reasons the Winter Olympic selection committee chose this area to host their event). Solitude & Snow Basin, a couple of hours ride, are high quality places to ski as well. ThomCat & I will be skiing at Snowbird 2-3 weeks in April this season.

If long boards aren't your thing, Utah has some of the best high-altitude national parks that are just a joy to hike - like Arches, Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands, Capital Reef and other smaller, but equally beautiful hiking venues (like DInosaur National Monument) - all within reasonable driving distance.
 
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OK, those of you in SLC staying for the Saturday game is it more BB, skiing, road trip or cardiac recovery for you tomorrow?
 
OK, those of you in SLC staying for the Saturday game is it more BB, skiing, road trip or cardiac recovery for you tomorrow?

Cardiac recovery complete. Tomorrow, more BBall in SLC sports bars. Would like to ski, but didn't lug the gear out.

Have been to two sports bars already here:
Legends - not bad, although a bit loud / bad accoustics which makes it ARD to even hear the games. Also, a bit out of the way, on the south end of downtown.
Lumpy's - not as bad as it sounds. It's not Hooters. Actually a nice bar area and friendly staff. Food was meh. Good area in more central downtown and near some other bars in case it doesn't suit you.

Any other recommendations for those in town?
 
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For a very delightful & affordable authentic Mex cuisine restaurant, try the Red Iguana. Thomcat and I have been going there since the '80's and it's THE best mexican in the U.S - bar none. This is the real deal and weekends have lines out the door to get in. This restaurant is NOT a sports bar. No TVs at all; just great food (many ultra-authentic mole dishes) at reasonable prices with a very attentive wait staff. For you extra-picante pallette types, try the Pollo Amarillo (chicken smothered in extra spicey-hot yellow mole) - my staple.

Website:
http://www.rediguana.com/
 
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For a very delightful & affordable authentic Mex cuisine restaurant, tryt the Red Iguana. Thomcat and I have been going there since the '80's and is THE best mexican in the U.S> - bar none. This is the real deal and weekends have lines out the door to get in. THis is NOT a sports bar. No TVsat all; just great food at reasonable prices

Thanks for the suggestion. Another favorite with the locals is Cafe Rio. Best Burritos on the planet and the places are always packed. (I recommend "The Sweet Pork Burrito"). Sit down dining of the semi-fast food variety. Cafe Rio in recent years has become a limited Western States chain, but began in Utah and remains headquartered in Salt Lake City.

(Oh, and they offer unlimited soft drinks to include Mexican Horchata, a cinnamon flavored rice drink.)

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Location of the one closest to the game:

https://www.caferio.com/locations/4th-south

The Wikipedia scoop:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafe_Rio
 
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