July 21st : North Salt Lake – Salt Lake City or …a sad feeling and too short to be good!

Almost no cycling today. It’s only 10 km to Salt Lake City and somehow I feel a bit sad, knowing I have to leave Sweet Machine behind. Getting into the state capitol of Utah is not along the most scenic way. The very first time I even cycled in, I even got to cycle on the Interstate – by accident – and that was kind of scary. Now I know of this bike route along US89 (yes – still the some road). It takes you along the quarry where trucks keep driving on and off – but they are very nice to cyclists. I also have to cycle along some industrial zone, but this is only for a short period. 

Soon the dome of the capitol on the hill towers over the green trees and houses. My first destination is the Gateway – a shopping center designed when the winter Olympics in 2002 were held here. Now kids play in the water fountains and adults sit on benches and listen to the music or they just enjoy the good weather.

Yesterday I read an article in the Wall Street Journal about Borders going bankrupt. It also said bookstores will “die” with the nook or kindle or the other portable devices where books can be downloaded on. So maybe this is the last years of my trips to bookstores – which I think would be a sad thing. Next I cycle to the Hilton Garden Inn, where I check in after hearing I made my reservation for the 21^st of august! Good thing they still had some rooms available! My backpack did arrive here! Once in the room I change the luggage from the bicycle bags to the backpack, which is harder than I thought. Next job is taking Sweet Machine to the bicycle shop at the corner of 2^nd and 2^nd. From then on –it’s all on foot! I’ll be back in Salt Lake City August 5^th and will give more details about the city then. For now – I’m having a beer to celebrate the success of the first third of the trip.