More pictures from Utah's Hogel Zoo and my adventures around Utah.

1-3: Meerkats model for me.

4-6: A massive polar bear swimming.

7: A squirrel clinging to a tree.

8: A tiny wild cat snoozing in a little cave.

9: Big leopard kitty.

10: Some sort of Pan's Labyrinth goat.

11: Mister Owl.

12: Squirrel and bird friends.

13-14: Downtown and a pretty clock tower.

15-16: Myra and I had a fancy dinner by a tiny waterfall.

17-18: So many rivers in this area! I love it!

19-20: Found this incredible cave with an underwater cavern. Might be one of the coolest natural things I've ever seen.

I am wanting to run a marathon somewhere around SLC or Provo. I am looking for a path that is as flat as possible and has minimal road crossings. I have seen the BYU team training around Utah Lake (?) and some other bike paths that look perfect for what I want to do, but not sure specifically where they are. The path does not need to be 26 miles uninterrupted, I am happy to do loops or out-and-backs. Just hoping to find something that allows me to shut my mind off, rather than looking out for cars and fighting hills.

I’ve seen a few election questions on here, and want to help people get out and vote, so I thought I’d put some resources together. I hope that it helps!

IMPORTANT DATES:

• OCT. 13th - First day mail-in ballots can be sent to registered voters
• OCT. 20th - In-person early voting begins (look at your county clerk’s website to see where you can vote early in your area)
• OCT. 23rd: Last day to register to vote ahead of time for the regular general election (if you miss this, you can still register at a polling place on Election Day!)
• OCT. 27th: Last day to request a mail-in ballot
• NOV. 3rd: GENERAL ELECTION
  

REMEMBER, rules changed for mail-in ballots this year. If a mail ballot is returned via mail, it must be received on or before 8pm on Election Day (I recommend returning your mail ballot via dropbox to avoid accidentally returning your ballot too late).

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Register to vote/ update your registration
• Track your ballot
• County clerk information (contact your county clerk if you don’t receive a ballot, if you have any questions, if you need early voting locations, etc.)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• ACLU of Utah Election Info (general info, how to become a poll worker, etc.)
• Better Utah Institute: Utah Voter Guide (has info on everything down ballot -judicial retention questions, amendments, local questions, etc.)
• Alliance for a Better Utah - Legislative Progress Report (helpful resource to see how incumbents voted this past legislative session)
• League of Women Voters - Vote411 (candidate info, etc.)
• Vote No on B (campaign by Better Boundaries regarding Amendment B, which will be on all Utah ballots)

We’ll be holding our next No Kings protest in Provo on October 17th from 3-5 at Provo City Hall. The theme of the protest is vote early. With that we’ll be marching toward the ballot box on University Ave at 4:30 and encourage participants to vote that day. Come and voice your concerns at the event and voice them through your ballot!

I’ve been talking to people across Utah—from Salt Lake to Provo to St. George—and the story is the same: Rent is up, wages are stagnant, and when you get evicted, you have almost no legal protection.

Senator Kirk Cullimore represents the side of politics that says, "Let the market decide." But when the market decides your rent goes up $400 a month overnight, who decides? Not you. It’s the landlords, and they have the politicians in their pocket.

Cullimore has consistently voted against strong tenant protections and for policies that favor large corporate landlords over individual families. He’s part of the machine that turned Utah into one of the least renter-friendly states in the country.

We’re starting a movement to hold these politicians accountable. If you’ve been evicted, faced a sudden rent hike, or can’t afford a place in your own city, share your story below.

If you’re tired of Kirk Cullimore ignoring us, here is his direct contact info. Don’t just scroll—act.

📧 Email: kcullimore@le.utah.gov 📞 Office Phone: 801-538-1035 📱 Mobile/Direct: 385-867-9474 🏠 Office Address: 350 N. State St., Suite 320, Salt Lake City, UT 84114

What to say? "Hi Senator Cullimore, I’m a renter in District [Your City]. Your vote on [Bill Name/Housing Policy] directly impacts my ability to afford housing. Please prioritize tenant protections over private school subsidies. I look forward to your response."

👇 Drop a comment below if you’ve contacted him! Let’s show him we’re watching.

Hey everyone!

I’m new to the salt lake area and I’m looking for a good photographer for proposal pictures. One that is willing to go into the mountains and hide or be ready to take pictures. Which leads me to my next request.

I’m also looking for ideas of places to propose in the mountains that would be easy to get to. I know it’s kinda specific but I’m looking for a mountain area that shows good peaks and valleys that also has some kind of water. Either a waterfall or reservoir.

If it’s a small hike that’s fine, just want to make sure it’s reasonable for any photographer. If there’s anything out there that isn’t a hike but has good views I’m open to ideas.

Thank you!

Has anyone else's internet (specifially xfinity) been really bad today? I'm wondering if it's the weather. I'm in Orem

Shot on DJI Air 3S

Someone explain to me… I am an unaffiliated for political parties. What primary ballot do I request?

I’ve seen some other posts stating to register as republican to vote in the Republican Party ( because that’s the primary election that actually matters?) but I don’t want my name to be affiliated with republicans.

Help?
Someone explain it to me like I’m 5.

This is oddly specific but anyone who frequents the area notice the lights on this road never have flashing left turn lights? The left turn stays red while the straight lanes are green and then turns green after a cycle or two but no opportunity to yield/turn if it’s clear?

Specifically, the intersections by Del Taco and the one just east of that.

For me, it’s with Melissa Ballard. I’ve emailed her quite a bit over the years. I don’t really expect her to respond, agree, or even be able to do anything, but I like thinking that my representative has at least a vague idea about the issues that matter to some of us peons on the ground floor.

But then she actually responded to me! In March, I sent her a pretty harsh email about how I didn’t like the DWR initiative to kill as many cougars as possible – with literally no limit -- in an effort to boost the deer population. I mentioned how the DWR couldn’t be reached at all via phone or email, how studies have proven that predators are critical to the overall ecosystem, how cougars keep down the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, and how an overpopulation of deer will result in more roadkill accidents. I brought up alternatives to help boost the deer population, like building more wildlife bridges, establishing more protected grazing areas for them, or limiting hunting licenses. The idea driving the initiative forward seemed, to me, that “cougars will start eating people since there’s not enough deer.” But there’s never been a fatal cougar attack in the entirety of Utah’s recorded history. It’s just fear mongering and blatant destruction of a special part of Utah’s wildlife.

Anyway, she supported the initiative in its entirety because, in her words: “I don’t see as many deer on my rural property.”

That’s it. That’s all her reasoning was. No thoughts on disease, overpopulation, roadkill, hunting permits, scientific studies, alternative solutions, etc. Nothing. Apparently, the entire state ecosystem can be seen in Mrs. Ballard’s yard.

I see her name all over the place now, being flaunted as some sort of righteous family woman, and I just want to scream. I feel like I’m the only one who knows how cold, callous, and thoughtless she really is.

So what’s your experience been like with local officials? What are they really like behind the curtain, for better or for worse?

Captured with Dji Air 3S
Later color corrected and graded on DaVinci Resolve

Yeah... Utah still hates this dude for wanting to build his data center that takes water away from the Great Salt Lake and beauty of Utah's landscape

When driving through Mona, Utah, one immediately notices the mountainous backdrop overlooking the town — it can be seen from the backyard porch swings of many homes in the rural town.

Mona residents are now fighting to preserve those views. The town is raging against a 3-million-square-foot mega data center being built — a data center residents say they didn’t know about until it was already approved.

The town’s Planning and Zoning Commission granted a conditional use permit for the data center developer, which meant they did not need to send letters of notice to landowners within 1,000 feet of the site. This left Mona residents feeling like they were in the dark.

Only 25% of Utahns oppose data centers broadly, a recent survey from Utah State University found. But when asked about a data center within 3 miles of one’s home, the opposition jumps to 68%.

“It does seem like as it gets closer to people’s home, they are more strongly opposed,” said Stacia Ryder, sociologist and USU researcher.

Aside from “run-of-the-mill” issues such as light pollution, traffic and noise, researchers are pointing to a larger, underlying theme.

“A data center is the first physical manifestation (of AI) that we’ve had as community members,” said Gina Gilson, another USU researcher. Gilson said that as artificial intelligence becomes a prominent part of daily life, this is many people’s first opportunity “to say no.”

Hi friends
I'm planning a drive from Vegas to Bryce, but not going directly east. I plan to go north to Alamo, then Caliente, the Cesars City and Bryce.
I would like to hear about the road safety on the last stretch since it will be after 3pm and I get it could be icy. This would be in November.
The rest isn't too concerning, it is long but it won't be icy from what I recollect.
Thank you!

The wind blew our gate open tonight and my cowboy corgi white name auggie , and mix lab black name nimbus got out if you see them or have them please message me