Aspen Grove

Surpassing the already surpassed superlatives will be tricky.

Another incredible day. It began with the usual up at the crack of dawn nonsense, I would have liked a lie in but no sleep til Brooklyn, as they say, not that I'm going there, sadly.

Breakfast was crepes with a variety of fruits, cream, nutella and some fried shredded potatoes thrown in for good measure. So copious it was, that I wasn't hungry until evening.

Out to adventure some more. Yesterday I was on Squaw Peak, that actually feels like it was three days ago, so much the days have bene filled. Today I wanted to try the other side of the Provo canyon which leads to the Aspen Grove, apparently one of the largest living structures on the planet given the nature of the roots, which propagate sideways, but also to see Sundance, the resort I understand was set up by Robert Redford.

I'm not a fan of heights at all, so goodness only knows what possessed me to go up on a ski chair lift to scary heights. I didn't really enjoy it to begin with but there was something kind of relaxing being in the air above trees in the silence.

There were parts when the elevation goes scarily steep and well I was wondering why some people were sitting casually, the safety bar not down, one slip at certain points and I'm fairly certain instant death would have been a likelihood. Anyway, amazing scenery on a wee hike round a hill, given more time and bravery, I might have attempted something else. Yes I'm not Mr Extreme Sports 2012.

After this I crossed the range of the mountain seeing the beautiful Aspen Grove and stopping what seemed to be every 500m as the view was unlike the previous one. I don't think I did many of them any justice.

Sunday is pretty quiet in Happy Valley, with people going to the church. Since my arrival a few days ago, I have spoken to many very generous friendly people from the Mormon church. I will have to note down some of the conversations as they have been really most revealing about the character and nature of society here.

Anyway, the majority of the shops were shut, like they used to be a long time ago in the UK and more recently in France. I did manage to find one of the three local bars and spoke for a couple of hours with the bar tender and one of his friends. One interesting anecdote is that given the restrictions that are placed upon bars in this neck of the woods, is that you cannot order a double whisky, you would need to order a single twice, you are not allowed to put them together. You can however order a cocktail, which has a quantity greater than a double measure without any difficulty. Yes, like life itself, it is a complex place indeed.

Had my first bit of very bad service tonight from a man who I guess doesn't really like doing what he is doing, but you get that all over.

37°