When the railroad snaked its way towards Utah from both coasts, it brought people along who helped to build it and those who hoped for a new future. Three distinct cultures were present in Utah during the railroad era which helped to shape the cuisine of our region: The Chinese, the Irish and the Spanish.

As I slipped my feet into the whiskey, salt, and sage foot bath, I am given a shot of whiskey. If this is how all massages started, I would get them weekly. I hadn’t intended to get a massage as I rarely get them back home. However, my friends and I had been out horseback riding in the mountains the day before, and we were going hiking later in the day, so I wanted something relaxing. Going to The Lodge at Blue Sky was a reunion for my college buddies. While we have kept in touch, it has been since the last wedding that we have all gotten together with just us guys. 

I still remember the first snap pea I picked off of its curling vine. The delicate yet bold freshness of this vegetable took on a whole new excitement because my Italian grandmother and I had nurtured these vines. We planted the barren looking seed into the sandy soil, watered it daily, and watched as the first real leaves grow into a four-foot vine filled with edible pods of sugary, crunchy peas. I was hooked.

Every year we take a family summer vacation to explore somewhere new.  I was beyond excited when mom told me we were headed to Utah to ride horses and play with farm animals. 

My girlfriends and I were looking for a place for a girls getaway. Our goal was great outdoor experiences and relaxed but attentive service. We wanted something a bit different this year. One friend had been to Utah before and mentioned she had a fabulous time. Of course, many of us have been skiing in Utah, but it is spring, and all the snow has melted. We were not convinced there would be anything to do. After some searching, I found out that Utah is the first state to be given three Michelin Stars!

I'm Barbara Phillips, the horse thief. In 2013, I stole a mistreated horse from a very neglectful ranch and later named her Gracie. After hearing about the horrific abuse on the local news, I immediately got involved. The situation was grim. Only through police escort was I allowed to help any of the 140 horses involved. While helping with medical treatments, I spotted Gracie who had an infected, untreated wound. I convinced the officers to trailer Gracie to the veterinary hospital and I took financial responsibility for her. Several visits later, I loaded her in my trailer and took her to an undisclosed location.