Behind the Curtains

Road Trip


One of the things we like to do is take a day wandering around Park City. It's famous for its ski resorts and the Sundance film festival, but it also has a lot of character and charm of its own. Once an outpost in the middle of nowhere, the world now buzzes by on interstate 80. But if you slow down and exit, a delightful historic, quaint yet modern town awaits you.

There are lots of colorful buildings in the heart of downtown that I like to photograph. I also like to make up stories about the people who live behind the curtained windows. Do they all ski? How could they not when they literally have a ski lift taking you out of the town center up to a world class ski resort? Do they love the winter? How could they not when the snow comes swirling down and wraps the town in an exquisite blanket of white? Do they welcome the thousands of visitors who descend upon their town? How could they not when it's such a beautiful town to share? Do they get a thrill out of living in old buildings? How could they not when they're so charming?

My fantasy Park City does not always jive with the real Park City. I've met residents who not only don't ski, they've never even tried it nor care to. Who tolerate the winter because they adore the outdoor mountain adventures of the summer. Who know that visitors keep the town financially solvent but would also like some peace and quiet on occasion. Who say old buildings are tough to keep up and expensive.


I have to admit that the real Park City is beginning to infringe upon my fantasy Park City. The town has grown and so have new buildings and traffic. There is now a Mexican restaurant that feels very tropical inside. For the first time ever, I experienced moist, heavier snow instead of the very dry, fluffy, light snow that Utah is famous for. And I've even stopped skiing Park City Ski Resort in favor of The Canyons down the road.

I don't care. I'm still going to pretend that my fantasy Park City is the real one. I get to see and experience what I want to see and experience. After all, it's my fantasy.