Salt Lake City: Static & Sweat (and a whole lotta weird)
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on caffeine and regret. 1220855… seriously, what is that number? it’s been bouncing around my brain all day. and 1762043986? don’t even ask. it’s like a glitch in the matrix, you know? i landed in Salt Lake City yesterday, and honestly, it’s… intense. the air’s thick, like you could chew it. feels like 8.39, temp-wise, and 6.58 ‘feels like’ - which, let’s be real, is just a fancy way of saying it’s sticky. pressure’s 1019, humidity’s 76, sea level’s 1019 (duh), and ground level is 886. it’s all just… numbers. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
I’m a touring session drummer, so my usual setup is a chaotic mess of sticks, snare wires, and half-eaten granola bars. this place? it’s like a slightly more organized version of that. i found this tiny studio space - it’s basically a converted garage - and it’s perfect for setting up. the acoustics are… interesting. let’s just say i’m going to need to experiment a lot.
I stumbled into this little dive bar called ‘The Rusty Nail’ last night. it was packed with guys in flannel and dudes arguing about vintage amps. someone told me that the bartender, Silas, used to be a competitive chili cook - apparently, he’s obsessed. i overheard a conversation about a legendary chili recipe that’s been passed down through generations. it involved ghost peppers and something called ‘desert dust.’ sounded intense. i ended up ordering a root beer and a plate of fries. the fries were decent.
I’m trying to capture the vibe here, you know? it’s not the postcard-perfect Utah you see on Instagram. it’s gritty, it’s real, and it’s got this weird undercurrent of… something. like a forgotten dream. i spent the afternoon wandering around Temple Square - it’s massive, honestly. and the architecture is… well, it’s definitely something. i checked out TripAdvisor for some recommendations, and they suggested visiting the Natural History Museum. i’ll probably do that tomorrow.
Speaking of recommendations, I heard that if you’re looking for good tacos, avoid the place on Main Street. I heard that... it’s a disaster. Yelp says there’s a fantastic food truck scene downtown though - definitely checking that out. https://www.yelp.com/search?query=food+trucks&sort_by=relevance&location=Salt%20Lake%20City%2C%20UT
I’m staying in this Airbnb - it’s a little rough around the edges, but it’s got character. the host, a guy named Dale, left me a handwritten note with a map and a warning about the local wildlife. apparently, there are coyotes roaming around at night. seriously?
I spent a few hours exploring the Bonneville Salt Flats. it’s… surreal. like driving on another planet. the scale is just mind-blowing. i took a bunch of photos - i’ll post them later. i checked out some local forums for photography tips - https://www.reddit.com/r/SaltLakeCity/ - and someone suggested shooting during golden hour for the best light.
I’m trying to find a decent coffee shop. i need something strong. i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes. i found this place called ‘The Grind’ - it’s got a really cool, industrial vibe. they serve pour-over coffee and have a bunch of different brewing methods. it’s a bit pricey, but it’s worth it.
If you get bored, Provo is just a short drive away. and Ogden’s not bad either. I heard that... the drive to Park City is a nightmare during rush hour.
Seriously, this place is a trip. it’s chaotic, it’s weird, and it’s completely captivating. i’m not sure what i’m going to find here, but i’m open to anything.
Oh, and one last thing: don’t trust anyone who tells you the weather is predictable. it’s not. it’s… a force of nature, basically.
Here’s a little something i overheard at the bar:
“Don’t go near the Red Butte Garden after dark. They say there are… things… moving around.”
And another snippet:
“The best way to experience Salt Lake City is to get lost. Seriously. Just wander around and see what you find.”
I’m gonna go find some more coffee and try to make sense of this whole thing. wish me luck.
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