Early March in Utah

At the beginning of the month, I left Boise and drove to a resort town in southern Utah by the name of Brian Head. Never heard of it? Neither had I! But fate intervened, and I had access to a timeshare there for about 5 days. The resort is at 10,000 feet - and the x-country skiing was great, especially around the Cedar Breaks National Monument and the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness area. I have to admit to having some respiratory symptoms (altitude sickness?) the first day - but it was blizzarding anyway, and I stayed in to study.

I also reviewed and organized my data (again) in preparation for my trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake. After being at the library for two long days of research, I understand why it has such a stellar reputation for their genealogical collection! The staff was very friendly and helpful. I walked each day from my hotel to Temple Square - and I'd like to say I did a lot of sight-seeing, but that wasn't the case this trip. I actually kept my nose to the grindstone, and there was a payoff. I finally retrieved copies of the naturalization papers I'd been seeking. I can also recommend two very fine (and relatively cheap) restaurants near downtown SLC!

I am returning to Missoula to file my taxes before my last extended trip of the year - to North Dakota. I have my letters of introduction all written, and I'm more than ready to tackle the most promising materials of the year...