It's something we have begun to take a little bit for granted, but our daily commute is really quite interesting. We've always been ones to seek out the shortcuts and most direct ways, especially avoiding heavily congested areas, so once we got here, we pulled out a map and started plotting. It took some experimentation, but we think we've found a winner! It definitely wasn't easy... Utah isn't like the Midwest with lots of road options. Our eleven or so mile trek takes us through some rather remote terrain, but one thing that makes this commute so interesting and beautiful is the backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains to our east. Join us on our ride to work!
As we head out of our townhome community, our first obstacle is to get over what we call, "The Road of Death." You can see mini vans and semis hurtling along this busy street, and it takes team work of looking both ways to be able to dart across this road. Once we are safely across, we are on a remote paved road with enormous potholes. We dodge them as best we can! This neck of the woods runs along the west bank of the Jordan River - and includes rundown looking residences and a stinky mink farm. There's been a dead cat in the driveway of one shack for over a week! There was another week where we saw four dead skunks within a mile. I'm thinking if there are four dead how many are there ALIVE?
The fields and barns that continue to dot the landscape don't look terribly prosperous, but once we cross the Jordan River (see middle photograph) we begin to see signs of suburbia - larger and newer homes, kids and school buses. How cute is this group of eager school children?
Our commute is the perfect time to talk about upcoming plans, to concept ideas for our respective magazines, and for a little time with God. We read a daily devotion each day to get started on the right foot. There are plenty of cattle along the way, but through this section we pass a brand new school that will probably open its doors next year, and a very steep railroad crossing. As you can tell, I am having a blast capturing this all on film!
These steer are about one of our favorite sights each morning! They look very strong and remind us that we are not in Indiana anymore. Of course LDS church buildings dot the landscape throughout Utah. Valley Turf Farms is right off I-15 and if you look closely, you can see the word SOD atop the building behind the truck. One time someone who was trying to get to our house got lost and said, "I'm at a place called SOD." We knew just how to direct him from there! Now we merge onto the frontage road and head toward northern Utah County's pride - Thanksgiving Point.
Thanksgiving Point has a movie theater, a dinosaur museum (that we took our nephews to last summer), and luscious gardens and a golf course. At the light we see a lot for carpoolers and commuters to catch a ride and to the right a freeway entrance. In the last picture you can catch a glimpse of I-15 as well as a sign for "Latter Day Bride & Prom." Only in Utah!
The frontage road continues its way north toward Point of the Mountain, where driving is always dicey in poor weather. Cars often turn off at the Utah Flash Factory, a very large sports facility for boys and girls. Point of the Mountain takes us up and over into Salt Lake County (see the sign in the fourth picture), and we see paragliders daily atop the mountain whenever the weather is good. It's quite a soothing sight! And as we reach the summit of our climb and look to the west, we behold this lovely vista on the right.
And finally we are about to our destination as SL County opens up in front of us! We turn into the parking lot and head into work ready for another day at CK Media.
Thanks for joining us on our trip. What makes your commute special or interesting?
Susan
It seems like I have been here before. What a great idea for a blog post. I am sure people will be surprised at how rural your commute is. Good job! As for my commute, retired people don't have to worry about that.
Posted by: Mom | April 13, 2009 at 08:02 AM
I love this! Thanks for a glimpse into daily life in UT - definitely different than Fort Wayne! :) About how long of a drive (in minutes) is your commute?
Posted by: HappyGoMommy! | April 13, 2009 at 08:36 AM
Some of your pictures make me a bit homesick. We lived in Bluffdale for about 6 years and I miss seeing the mountains and that view of the Salt Lake Valley as you come up over the Point of the Mountain. Thanks for sharing the photos.
Posted by: Jill | April 13, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Your photos are beautiful. I didn't realize the area you are in is so rural! Miss seeing the two of you!
Posted by: Becky | April 14, 2009 at 07:20 AM
You sure make that drive to work look like fun! Thanksgiving Point is one of our favorite places to visit, I can't wait to see the tulips this year.
My only commute is taking my son to Kindergarten and then back home again. Most of my 15 minute drive is spent telling him and his sister to stop fighting with each other. Not very exciting, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Jon got his birthday cards, thanks so much! He is loving all of the extra mail!
Posted by: Joli | April 14, 2009 at 09:36 PM
There are times when I really appreciate my commute each morning, too. I also avoid freeway congestion by taking the back roads to the school where I teach. It is very much worth the four or five extra minutes to drive through a couple of neighborhoods with daffodils, pink dogwoods, and luscious lilacs. Next, I travel down a street that follows a tree-lined creek. Then, I turn onto a longer road that hugs our quiet area lake. That puts me into farmland before I set my directional to enter the parking lot. There are a lot of reasons to be thankful for my job, and this commute is one of them. Thanks for sharing yours.
Posted by: Julie | April 15, 2009 at 08:20 PM
You know...I think about the two of you a couple of times per week. I just wanted to say that I hope my two girls have the same insanely close relationship that you two do. I mean...I can tell they do now. They sleep together in the same bed EVERY night (and they are 11 and 8!) but I just hope and pray that they can share that kind of love for each other every day of their lives. As a girl who grew up with two brothers, it is really really neat to see the Lord work in their lives as sisters. Thanks for being such great sisters. It is s pleasure to read your daily life updates!
Posted by: Becky | April 21, 2009 at 09:59 PM
This is my favorite post..My sister lives on this road and I have to drive on it daily..So funny..We need to show you more rural roads in Utah..This is one of the best;)
Posted by: wendy Lojik | April 24, 2009 at 08:54 PM