Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Utah: The Search for Johnny Utah

So, here we are again, sitting in a Starbucks in St. George, UT debating whether to brave the 110 degree weather and drive 6 hours out of the way to the Grand Canyon or just pack it in and head straight to the tacos and milder weather of Los Angeles. We're leaning toward LA. It's just a hole in the ground, right?

Anyway, Utah is bananas. Seriously, if Keanu Reeves' character from Point Break, Johnny Utah, was to run for some kind of state office, I'm positive he'd be elected in a landslide.

The people here are white, blonde, and 16. All of them. Now, Emma with the captions.

In case you can't tell, I am performing a ski-jump, just like in the sign. I thought that was terribly clever.

Also terribly clever-- pretending to hold up large rock formations in Arches National Park.

Doesn't this make Mike's head look remarkably small?

Off in the distance, Delicate Arch. This was as close as we got. Travel tip-- don't go to the desert at noon on the hottest day of the year.

This teepee was conveniently located at a gas station outside Moab.

Pumping gas, looking cool.

Okay, this is where things got good. After four hours of boring Utah highway, we stopped at Mom's for lunch, in Salina. Jane and Michael Stern, authors of 'Roadfood,' recommended Mom's highly, and boy oh boy, are they smart people. I decided shortly after sitting down that it was okay to be the kind of person who was infinitely more excited by Honey Butter flavored topping than a national park. Why pretend? This was the highlight of my day.
For $8, Mom fed us a three course meal. My salad, as seen going into my mouth, was iceberg lettuce, slightly incongruous peas, and about a cup of homemade blue cheese dressing. It was heavenly.


Here, Mike applies the Honey Butter to his scone. Yes, scone. In Utah, scones are deep-fried pieces of dough. The scones were free, by request. I cannot imagine anyone is foolish enough to stop at Mom's and not request a scone.



Interior shot of Mom's, complete with family portrait.


Stunned, with toothpick.


Did you really think we'd leave without a slice of pie?


The Sands Motel was the cheapest in St. George. Thirty-six dollars with tax, and worth every penny.

It's supposed to get to 108 degrees today, and there are forest fires all along route 15, which I think means we'll be heading straight for the ocean. Next stop, fish tacos and Special Guest Star Benjamin Bitker Straub.

As Johnny Utah would say, vaya con dios, brah.

love
E + M

5 comments:

wBT said...

Aw, man. It's a shame you're missing the canyon. But I'm sure the Pilot will appreciate it. Mom's looks unbelievable. I discovered the joys of honey butter at that restaurant in Nashville where I worked (the one redeeming factor of that place).

You guys are fearless and efficient. Have fun in La La Land!

Anonymous said...

i would say something like "go eff yourselves," but i don't wanna offend anyone.

that said, i think the title of this blog should be "white people doing white people things."

Emma said...

James, you are mean.

Unknown said...

i'm requesting a scone. i'll even pay. nothing's happening though. boo. i hate you guys. have i mentioned that?

Anonymous said...

that gas station near moab.. where mike was looking cool.. the school house in the background... had a sign next to it.. saying WHOA... (not stop) amazing!

jenny