Utah State Fair – 9/11/2014 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 (Thursday)

Woke up to beautiful blue skies. We both slept in a little but when we finally rolled out of bed it was to start making chili and a salad for a potluck the resort had at 12:15 PM. While we were busy making the food, we got a call from a cruise place where I had put in a request for information. Kim, the lady from ICruise, gave us a quote of just under $1,000.00 for a 7 night Caribbean cruise to St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, and a private island – in a balcony – total price for the two of us. We had a hold on the RCI Extra Vacation sale for that week but decided to let it go and go for the cruise. Michael said it’s our Christmas present to each other. Works for me. I’m so excited! Can’t wait. Especially want to see San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Anyway, we got to the potluck and there were probably 20 people there. Lots more food than people. Very nice. The resort supplied the drinks (coke, diet coke, Sprite), ice, plates, napkins, and utensils. There were several salads, chili, a pasta dish, biscuits, fresh fruit, chips, fresh vegetables, and lots of different desserts. Everything was really good and it was fun talking to people there.

Saw Wes, from yesterday's hike, next door finishing a painting class, not bad for a first effort! — Saw Wes, from yesterday’s hike, next door finishing his first painting class, not bad!

We got to sit down with Midge and Jim. We had talked briefly with Midge on Monday at the meet and greet. We’re going to go to their loft room tomorrow and talk with them more and see how the loft looks. Such nice people. Glad we’re getting to know them better.

We also got to talk to Pat (from the hike yesterday). She said she thinks the Voltaren is helping her leg that she hurt during the hike yesterday.

After the potluck we headed down the hill to the Utah State Fair. It was about 30 miles away from the resort. We parked across the street ($8.00) and walked to the admission booth ($10.00 f or me and $7.00 for the old guy).

The Prius got 138 mpg on the 29.4 miles to the fair and 32 mpg back to the resort.

What beautiful grounds. The first building we entered was so ornate and lovely. We walked through the different crafts and then headed out to go through the animal area. Very interesting.

Full of metal work, stained glass, wood works, all interesting. The copper on this dragon caught Edie’s eye.

This guitar was best in show woodworking sr division. It is beautiful. — This guitar was best in show woodworking senior division. It is beautiful.

Butter Sculpture, huge and refrigerated. — Butter sculpture -huge and refrigerated.

Sometimes I miss have the Bobcat. — Sometimes I miss the Bobcat.

We walked down through the carnival and then through the different vendors. We found the wood sign maker vendor (that we had tried to find at the Monterey County Fair but wasn’t there this year). We had him make two signs for our studio. Felt good to mark that “to do” off my list of things to get done before we go full time.

Our new signs for our Airbnb.com rental. — New signs for our Airbnb.com rental.

Edie got a Marine to do a pull up for her. He really didn’t want to. Said he’d already done 75 or so today.

We were tired so we sat down and a show started up. They were quite good – three women called the “Divas Through the Decades”. Fun and energetic.

She came to me in the audience, put her hand on my shoulder and sang a song. I think she wanted me, or thought I'd buy an album. — She came to me in the audience, put her hand on my shoulder and sang a song. I think she wanted me, or thought I’d buy an album.

We signed in at the Chevy booth and got two pairs of pretty decent sunglasses, and we got to see an owl and a magpie that took money out of Michael’s hand and put it into the donation box. Too funny. Very nice State Fair.

We had originally talked about going from the Fair to Temple Square. By the time we left the State Fair we were both so tired, plus Michael’s gout is acting up a little. We headed home up the hill but got into Salt Lake City rush hour traffic. Not nearly as bad as Southern California, but still stop and go.

Nice car next to ours when we got back to our car.

One backup was for these two motorcycles with lights flashing. Couldn't spot the patrol men riding them, must have been in the brush looking for something. — One backup was for these two motorcycles with lights flashing. Couldn’t spot the patrol men riding them, must have been in the brush looking for something.

We are both disappointed in that we were hoping to go on the hike tomorrow but because of Michael’s gout, we’re just going to take it easy during the day and then go visit Midge and Jim later in the afternoon.

We are now in our home just chilling. That was our day. Hope yours was great!