Taking one for the Team

The numerous JC Mickelson's billboards have become an I-15 icon. Mention it to anyone who drives between SLC and Fillmore and they'll know what you are talking about. The billboards clutter the highway with gross pictures, pointless (if not confusing) phrases, and an overall marketing strategy that makes anyone wonder "what were they thinking?" And yet, after years of passing them, commenting on them, and even quoting them, we finally gave in and had to check it out ourselves. It's marketing so bad, it's almost genius.

The food was much as expected...like Denny's. Nothing special, but edible...mostly. The service was great. Our tiny, blond, perpetually happy, energetic small town girl waitress who has the JC Mickelson's pot roast for dinner every Sunday with her husband, was icing on the cake (and just as sweet). The big surprise was the massive, homemade train track that runs over and around and through the restaurant. They should really market and photograph that instead of the food. It was impressive. We suggested this to our waitress in jest, but she's actually on the marketing team with JC himself (hmmm, it's all coming together now). She said there are new billboards with the trains mentioned - she quoted them. Somehow, though, the saying "come get a big burger and a caboose" doesn't send the message that the restaurant has a one-of-a-kind spectacular train display that would blow the minds of any young kid...or adult.

VERDICT: The food is not worth the 1.5 hour drive from SLC, but the service and the trains made it more enjoyable than a night out at Denny's. Now we know and you don't have to find out.

Northbound I-15 near Cove Fort

Brandon, Candace, Chad

Seriously just like the billboard picture

Fortunately these have a little more color than the ones in the billboard

You can see the track suspended from the ceiling behind him. It went through walls to other seating areas

Bitter Cold New Years

After Christmas some friends joined us for the New Years weekend. It was FREEZING! The whole time was spent in the single digits and negatives. After a walk through downtown Aspen on the first day, we decided to spend the rest of the day inside with a fire. I'd never been so acutely aware of each nose hair as I was when they individually froze, blocking my nasal passages. The icy obstructions made inhaling through my nose less productive so I was forced to mouth breathe (I don't like mouth breathing when I'm not exercising). New Year's Eve was -13 degrees. We found a fire pit that kept us warm until fireworks shot off the mountain lighting up the slopes. Despite the cold we still went out to play. We went skate skiing and some others went snowshoeing. I've seen guys' beards freeze up, but I rarely see peach fuzz on girls' faces freezing up. It was SO cold, but very beautiful.

Some of the houses in the area were charmingly festive

Walking back from town. Notice Michelle hiding in her scarf

Me and Jenny. The only reason her hand could remain out of her glove was because it was holding hot cocoa.

Britt & Jenny

Happy Birthday Jenny - a bike gear bouquet from Britt (name that movie on in the background!)

Dinner at La Palapa

Britt had his own basket of chips

By far the most interesting dish on the table

I've never actually wanted anything even close to resembling this furry, all-encompassing head gear, but I would've taken it that night.

Cory & Tara

Before we found the fire pit we stopped under the heat lamps

Britt & Jenny at the weak bonfire that produced no heat

Dance party. Partially to celebrate, but mostly to stay warm (there was a DJ)

Lynn & Michelle

I can't resist the run and slide, especially in no-traction boots that were much more fun than they were safe. Nobody should be walking on slick roads with these.

Jenny & Britt - Ashcroft Canyon

Jenny, Britt, Brandon

Behind our heads is the spot where we got engaged last May

When our friends left we were lucky to still have one more day at my parents' to postpone the post-holiday/vacation depression. Even better, my sister and her boyfriend were also in from out-of-town. I wish we had overlapped more time.

Playing Sorry and watching surfing

Baylee & Me

I love their dimples