Welcome to the Neighborhood!
You might have seen me on the air recently with colleagues Karen Carlson and Roland Steadham talking, no gushing about my first ever drive into Utah.
In the days before I landed on the anchor desk here at ABC4, I drove from British Columbia where I was visiting family, and raced across the vast, rural landscapes of Washington state, Oregon, and Idaho. The only incident of note involved an overzealous rabbit outside Pocatello who sadly, decided to cross the asphalt at the same time as I drove by…
My only other companions – tumble weeds -- some of which decided to latch onto my car’s grille for the ride along I-15 into Salt Lake County. Admittedly, I was glad to have some favorite music CDs in the car for parts of the sometimes desolate drive.
But when I finally dipped into the Wasatch Front about 40 miles into Utah, I tuned the tunes off and my gaze outward. I was, to say the least "wowed" by the natural beauty of the mountain range to my left and tantalizing glimpses of a shimmering Great Salt Lake off to my right. Tucked in between, cozy looking communities like Brigham City and Centerville.
Everything to me, knowing I was starting a new job with my ABC4 family, felt comfortable and just right. It was no surprise to me when I read that pioneers described this area as “the right place.”
In the weeks ahead, with Roland selling buckets of sunshine and warm fall days, I’m looking forward to exploring my new city and region. But I’m downright giddy to begin discovering the natural beauty and views that Utahans no doubt, are so familiar with season after season.
And although no one I have talked with seems ambivalent or bored about the constant eye pleasing beauty here, I've decided to be Utah's biggest salesman, encouraging everyone I encounter to fully appreciate this natural playground that I now consider to be one of America’s truly fantastic locations to call “home.”
