Salt Lake City Orff Conference

First time in Salt Lake City, and first time at the National Orff Conference!  I was busy most of the time taking workshops, but I saw enough of SLC to know that I want to go back on vacation with Stephen!  Lots to do, very walkable, good public transportation, proximity to the mountains and parks... what's not to love?

I arrived at 1PM on Wednesday and registration wasn't until 5.  I took the very clean and convenient green line train to Temple Square and walked to my hotel to get settled.  Then I walked around the area to get oriented.  I visited the Mormon history museum and saw the life-sized nativity. 

On Thursday evening we were invited to an open rehearsal of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the hall where they perform the Christmas concert that is on TV each year.  It seats 21,000 people.  When we arrived there was a long line and I was wondering whether it was worthwhile to wait when someone said we could get a tour, go on the roof, and be taken into the rehearsal at the end.  Six of us peeled off the end of the line and had a fabulous tour of the building, the roof, and did actually end up at the rehearsal!  I knew that the choir was made up of volunteer church members (360 of them, I think they said!) but I was interested to find out that the really top-notch orchestra is also made up of volunteer church members.  To be in the choir you have to be between the ages of 25 and 55, with a mandatory retirement age of 60.  When I was checking the website, I found that the orchestra currently only has a vacancy in the percussion section.  You have to apply and audition, be an LDS member in good standing and live within 100 miles of Temple Square.  Fascinating.
The massive space, lighting and sound system, and architecture are mind-boggling.

The weather was cloudy until Saturday when I was headed back to New Mexico.
 I finally saw the mountains! 

While I was there I had vegan sushi, went to The Cheesecake Factory (with a group) and discovered that they have vegan food there, and tried a ramen bar (it was delicious).  SLC is a very vegan-friendly city, as it turns out.  Can't wait to go back with Stephen!

Abiquiu with the Osterhouts

 Our visit to Abiquiu with the Osterhouts started at our charming casita in a vinyard by the river.  It has every amenity except for TV, wifi, or any phone signal.  The perfect relaxing getaway! 

On Saturday morning, after a delicious breakfast at the Abiquiu Inn, we toured Georgia O'Keeffe's Abiquiu home.  No photos were allowed inside.  The house has been preserved as it was in Ms. O'Keefe's time, with charming mid-century modern minimalism combined with the authentic New Mexican architecture.

 The garden is still maintained by volunteers.  The water rights allow for 2 hours of water on Monday mornings. 

 Ms. O'Keeffe collected rocks, bones, and shells and had many displays on windowsills and benches throughout the property.

After the tour we headed North to Ghost Ranch, which was a dude ranch in O'Keeffe's time but is now owned by the Presbyterian Church.  We hiked one of the trails for a bit and walked around the camp and then had lunch at the snack bar.

On Sunday we checked out the village of Abiquiu and went to Abiquiu Lake before heading back to Albuquerque.

 We could not figure out this "swimming area" until we realized that the water was very low and the usual beach area is actually above where we were standing!

While Stephen and I were at work, Mom and Dad went for drives, saw the sights, walked in the open space, and cleaned up our yard after the tremendous wind storm on Monday evening.  We were very fortunate that the nicest, warmest, sunniest days were the ones we were in Abiquiu!  We had a great time.  Mom and I got to play our ukuleles, and we celebrated all of our birthdays!  Can't wait for the next adventure.