Salt Lake City, Utah

Note: Wheel Me On... does not warrant Google Sponsor ads will be in ADA compliance or support web page content.

Salt Lake City

In 1999, the State of Utah contained a little over 2,000,000 people with nearly half of the population residing in Salt Lake City, which is located in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains and ski resorts. It was interesting to see a new Light Rail System known as TRAX and later learning the first day of operation was on December 6, 1999, just a few weeks before arriving there for the Christmas holiday. TRAX was located in the middle of the city and operated Monday through Saturday with periodic stopping points and ramps for wheelchair passengers. The transit system ran a North and South route, from South Temple Street to Main Street. Salt Lake City's Utah Transportation Authority additionally had a FLEX Tram Bus that routed through the city known as "kneeling buses" that contained a kneeling type platform similar to a "lift" for wheelchair passengers.

This traveling adventure started by limousine from Houston, Texas, transported to an airline at the International Airport for a connecting flight in Dallas, then flying directly into Salt Lake City, where the visit began as a passenger in a jeep and being transported by manual wheelchair. The experience led to learning Salt Lake City offered persons with disabilities work and play mixed with a life of fulfillment within the valley and seeing many people wheeling along the sidewalks.

Immigration Canyon

The actual road that leads through Immigration Canyon, where the pilgrims followed Bingham Young, was now a two-lane highway that winded through a mountainous area. The New Year's fresh layer of snow made the drive very picturesque. History tells us that when Bingham Young reached the valley, he planted his walking cane into the ground and announced, "This is the place." It was most impressing to see Camp Kostopolus, which was dedicated to serving people with disabilities since 1967 snuggled in the foothills along the roadside.

View of Salt Lake City It was not difficult to understand the beauty below filled with life and a sprawling city embracing the hearts of thousands of people. Capturing the landscape from behind another "window" may not have provided the "best" scene, but would indeed allow a scene long remembered with an extraordinary journey traveled.

The winter snow was just enough to add a little spirit to the season and not eliminate travel and allowing travel possible along this beautiful highway in the canyon with several glimpses of Salt Lake City below. Returning to the city, it was only natural to capture the spectacular sunset quietly slip beneath the clouds and into the horizon below while wheels descended the mountain and mind wondered just exactly where was "the place".

"But where is the place?" I asked my son who was driving the jeep. The driver promised he would show "the place" on another day and indeed, that became another happening, despite a slight obstacle.

Heritage Park
("This Is The Place")

After entering the park, parking, and bailing out of Dennis' jeep, a Caretaker or Security Guard asked us to leave because the park was closed on Sundays, and the gentleman explained the gates had been left open by mistake. After Dennis requested just a short visit, he allowed us to linger a few moments, and then drove back down the hill to lock the gate. Dennis quickly pushed my wheels across the walkway that had been cleared of snow in this amazing winter wonderland to show me "This is the place", then wheeled me up the hill to take pictures of some of the statues before leaving. "Old Deseret Village" is also part of Heritage Park and provides a unique program of events with a living history that creates and relives the legend to the past. The program however, is only available at the end of May through the first of September, and is apparently completely accessible.

Temple Square

Four days after arriving in the valley, Bingham Young designated an area for the Church of the Latter-Day Saints when he announced, "This is where we will build our church." The Temple itself is actually located in the Northeast corner of the valley, which stretches approximately twenty-miles between the circle of mountains. Eventually, Temple Square became the focal point for Salt Lake City and the main streets were named from the direction of the square. (i.e. North, South, East and West)

The goal of Bingham Young and his followers were to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. New immigrants of non-Mormon faith later arrived and developed the state's rich mineral resources. The Mormon and non-Mormon communities re-shaped the city in the late 19th century.

Inside the South Visitor Center is a large window where the Temple of Worship for members of the Church of Latter-Day Saint's Mormon Faith can be viewed in splendor. The Temple itself is only accessible to members in good standing and is their sacred place of worship.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir

On the Sunday following Christmas in 1999, we decided to bundle ourselves up to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's live broadcast. Dennis dropped his wife, Hannah, and my two granddaughters at curbside and then transferred me into the wheelchair on the sidewalk before driving away to locate a parking spot. While my granddaughters, Meghan and Kelly, walked alongside me, their mother pushed the wheelchair into Temple Square. A courteous gentleman affiliated with the church walked up to greet us as we neared the Tabernacle and directed Hannah with young Kelly to the children's section, and then remained visiting with Meghan and me while waiting for Dennis to return. This experience in itself was a reminder of courtesy extended to visitors and appreciated throughout many travels.

Assembly Hall

When Dennis returned the guide walked with us around the Tabernacle to an entrance that would provide wheelchair access. This particular entrance took us directly to the front section, next to the stage, where my wheelchair was parked alongside my son's feet at a front row pew. Unfortunately, I faced sideways, the stage was well above the height of my head and due to the immense Christmas decorations, I could see only the tops of the 10,857 organ pipes and less than a fourth of the right side of the choir when the members rose to sing. Prior to when the performance began, I asked if I could be moved to a different location for a better view, but I was told "no" because of their strict fire regulations and emergency exiting, (which was set in place for safety and not convenience).

Listening to the singing and music of this famous choir was without a doubt the highlight of this travel, and loaning their voices and music to physical senses alone, probably the most important experience when visiting Salt Lake City. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir in rhythim with thousands of organ pipes brought life in focus.

Temple Square in itself is very accessible via the sidewalks surrounding the buildings and several other buildings are also accessible. Many of the gardened areas contained beautiful Christmas displays and statues of interest. However the coldness of the day presented an inopportune time and we elected to return another day. Later in the week, my son and I again visited Temple Square to attend a guided tour. There were two young female missionaries that accompanied us from the south side of the Tabernacle where the tour began. They explained the history of the Mormon Church and guided us through three of the buildings.

A large auditorium style building presented hour-long evening concerts in the Assembly Hall with monthly programs available at the Visitor Centers. While our daytime visit did not allow the viewing of a performance we were fortunate in that the orchestra and vocalist were rehearsing during our visit. We were allowed to stay for two of their numbers. It was very impressing for Director, Iain B. McKay, of the Temple Square Concert Series, to make it a point to introduce himself and welcome us to the Assembly Hall.

North Visitor Center

The North Visitor Center contained beautifully decorated Christmas Trees that had miniature displays of holy Christmas settings from different countries nestled around them in the main lobby area. To the left of the Information Desk there were large painted murals depicting the story and life of Jesus Christ. These paintings were not only fascinating but also painted and hung to bend with the circular walls of the area. A carpeted ramp winded up to the top of the building in circular motion and at the very top was a statue of the Christus donated to Temple Square by the Catholic Church. The ceiling of this rotunda was brilliant in shades of blue. Stars and globes depicted the heavens overhead and we listened quietly to a taped voice telling of the Christian faith.

The Great Salt Lake

Two trips were made to the Great Salt Lake because of winter weather. The first visit was made following a nice snowfall, but unfortunately the melted snow created a muddy soil that made it impossible for the manual wheelchair to leave the vehicle. Nonetheless, it was interesting to see the immense size of this lake, that contained at least ten times more salt content than that of the ocean.

During our second visit, some of the lake snow had melted but still covered the same area, and provided a totally different view.

Is THAT a lighthouse in the center of this photo?

Privilion on left at The Great Salt Lake

The State Capitol of Utah

We arrived at Utah's State Capitol expecting to join a scheduled tour, when a gentleman with a small group of people approached and began talking about the history of the land and state of Utah. We assumed he was the tour guide and as the group moved to another location, we followed. The gentleman turned and asked us if we desired to attend a tour. When Dennis told him, "yes", he politely informed us that he was giving a private tour, but if no one objected, we were welcome to follow. No one objected, but when we took the elevator to the next floor (because the wheels would not climb the stairs) we decided to go on our own self-guided exploration.

On the second floor we found a small visitor section and another guide, who was helpful in providing information and literature. Apparently, the tours are available, but one should not assume any guide is the right guide, for the free tour. The facility contained ample parking for persons with disabilities and was completely accessible.

A member once stated, "If you see one State Capitol, you have a pretty good idea of what every State Capitol looks like inside." There is some truth in this, however, all State Capitols offer a little something extra - history about the state the State Capitol is located and a wealth of knowledge in every room that can be entered. State Capitols are typically accessible throughout the United States of America and usually one of the best tours an individual or group can take.

The Cathedral of the Madeleine

Following Mass on the first Sunday of the New Year, Dennis and I attended a tour of this famous historic church that began construction in 1900 by Bishop Lawrence Scanlon, the first Bishop of Salt Lake City. The stained glass windows were the most beautiful ever seen and the authenticity of the interior was extremely remarkable. Well maintained for a hundred years, touring this exquisite structure was well worth the adventure of locating the entrance for wheelchair access even in the snow. With the exception of the sanctuary, the church was completely accessible. By the time we left the church, the snowfall had stopped.

Fort Douglas

Fort Douglas was another site visited, posted on Forts & Monuments where there are additional photos on this website.

Fort Douglas is devoted to collecting histories of World War II veterans and other Utah persons who experienced that war. Of more than 71,000 people from Utah, 3,660 did not return. In 1990 there were still over 40,000 World War II veterans living in Utah. My interest in visiting the museum in January 2000 was because of family and friends who had served in several wars and my two children who currently served the United States Armed Forces.

The original Fort Douglas military installation was founded in 1862. The buildings at the time of our visit included five different architectural styles that were placed in a circular drive. Exhibits in the museum included military uniforms dating from 1858. The exterior grounds have a number of tanks, artillery, and warplanes on display.

Travel Recommendations

Recommendation for travelers using wheelchairs are to visit this fascinating city between the end of May and October. When planning your visit, keep in mind that many of the areas have hills and will require good arm strength, assistance, or a power wheelchair. Lodging is adequate. This winter trip was important to enable me to have Christmas with my son before he deployed to the State of Alaska with the military. I would not necessarily recommend winter travel to Utah unless you are one of the very bold and brave. While I enjoyed this brief winter wonderland, another visit to the State of Utah would likely take place in the spring or early summer to visit the National Parks and return to Salt Lake City to complete unfinished travels within the area. Without a doubt, the state is too beautiful and too historical not to return.

Sign Our Guestbook

View Our Guestbook