Greetings From Utah, Online Porn Capital Of The USA
“UTAH?!?!” I was stunned. “There aren’t any beaches there. Who the fuck goes to Utah on vacation?!?!” Apparently, I do. Wanna know how I ended up here? Weeeeell, Single Edition — a site for people seeking singles information unrelated to dating (i.e. cooking recipes for one, personal growth events, etc.) – challenged me, “Tell us what the hell is so great about being single?” I wasn’t sure what to say. Flying solo isn’t always great, but it’s not entirely bad either. So I said, for me, the best part about being on my own is the massive amounts of self discovery. (Read my full response here.) Single Edition liked my answer so much they hooked me up with a solo travel trip to Red Mountain Spa. The small print said the all-inclusive package was pimped out with: deluxe accommodation, roundtrip airport transfers, a 50-minute massage, healthy gourmet cuisine (three meals daily), complimentary bike rental, in-room high-speed internet and daily guided hikes, healthy living courses, awareness walks and Tai Chi. “Hmmm,” I thought, “okay, maybe Utah’s not so bad.” :)
I arrived in the Beehive State Sunday afternoon. Quite honestly, it took a little while to warm up to the place. I’m a city girl. I don’t feel entirely at ease when I’m the only person of color passing through a really small town. I’m not in my my comfort zone unless I can High Five neighbors from my front door. And, I like the convenience of 24-hour delis, yellow taxi cabs and late night bars. Luckily, my first event in Utah was a group dinner during which I quickly discovered: (1) I’m not the only brown person here; (2) Red Mountain Spa actually really ROCKS and it’s a great singles adventure travel destination; (2.5) everyone affiliated with the place is extremely friendly; (3) and so many of my fellow spa / hiking resortees are extremely amazing, interesting and fun people. At dinner, sitting at a table with tons a singles traveling on their own, folks told me about coming to Red Mountain for the 6th, 14th or 8th time. (The high number of repeat visitors traveling alone gives you an idea how much single people like it here!!)
Granted, I’m probably as much of a fish out of water in Utah as many native Utahns would be in Midtown Manhattan. But, for now, I feel like I’m in exactly where I’m supposed to be. You guys, seriously, I can’t even begin to describe how beautiful it is out here. I think I needed to escape from Manhattan’s stress, price gouging, noise pollution and other brashness for a bit. I feel an extreme sense of clarity and peace surrounded by the sacred red rock mountain landscape. No joke, Red Mountain Spa is really a lovely place. So, HUGE thank you and much appreciation goes out to them as well as Single Edition. And, ahem, by the way and for the record, Utah is the world’s online porn capital and one of this particular town’s very own residents is porno actress Asia Carrera. So, maybe the place isn’t so stuffy?
I know I promised you guys the “Kennedy Men” post for this glorious Manly Monday. But, I didn’t get around to blogging about that. For now, I’m just really enjoying the much needed “unscheduled time.” No one expects me to write anything, be anywhere or do anything. And, I like that. In my own time, I’ll tell you more about this trip in detail. In the meantime, you can follow along on my Twitter and look at pictures on my Flickr.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:12 am
No, you’re not the only brown person in Utah – there’s also the Jazz.
Just kidding, but not by much. I’ve been through SLC, and it is perhaps the whitest place I have ever seen.
It may be different since you’re in a tourist ‘resort’ or whatever, but I have to ask how much trouble it is for you to order an alcoholic beverage – even a glass of wine with dinner. If you just show up in some regular place (like SLC), you have to have a Mormon “sponsor” with you in order to get a drink. At least, this was how it was several years ago when I was last there. Hm?
Just wondering.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:38 am
Read your winning response on Single Edition and I ABSOLUTELY love it! Very straight forward and honest! Perfect!! Glad you had time to relax and unload. :)
August 31st, 2009 at 7:24 am
Resort sounds nice but…you can keep Utah!
I have my own mini vacation coming up that can’t get here fast enough. Khus Khus Negril in Jamaica. Small quiet hotel, no tv no kids, very few people, and a beach close by. I just want to be left alone!
August 31st, 2009 at 9:34 am
I lived in Salt Lake City for a hot minute. It is beautiful and great for the outdoorsy types. Sundance is nice. But that’s about it. Give me Brooklyn, Central Park and a Halal street cart any day.
August 31st, 2009 at 10:19 am
SOOOO Glad You ae enjoying the trip! I knew you would love it :)
August 31st, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I think this is a good change of pace for you. Red Mountain looks fantastic and so do you ;)
Enjoy and don’t worry about what you planned to post as todays topic, I think this post is much better for a change.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Say I just read your response on singleediton.com, you sipped cocktails while overlooking the big blue waters of where? The island where I live? When was that?
August 31st, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I can totally picture Utah being an online porn capital.
I mean, like what else is there to do in Utah after you get finished hiking and such….You go home and either watch some internet porn…or make some.
;)
August 31st, 2009 at 12:33 pm
cute dress by the way
;)
August 31st, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Utah is gorgeous! I lived out there for a little while, in a suburb just outside of SLC. The western states are gorgeous this time of year. I traveled out there by train and the views were absolutely breathtaking. There’s something to be said about traveling old-fashioned. You miss so much on flyovers.
Anyway, SLC also has a huge BDSM population as well. Very underground, but it’s out there. Religious oppression and all that.
The only discomfort I had was people thinking I was a Mexican immigrant, then being surprised when perfect American English came out of my mouth. *eye roll*
Have fun!
September 1st, 2009 at 1:23 am
if you are so inclined to indulge in good rock ‘n’ roll….. wid a side order of the blues……
I may seem… left of center … but Utah rocks……
lamesabassman…… and the food ain’t bad either……. politics…. dont go there……
September 1st, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I’m not surprised that Utah is the “online porn capital.” It seems hypocritical and counter-”family values,” but often, the cities and states in the US which are most conservative often have the highest concentration of, say, strip clubs. (See: Texas.)
I’m glad you’re enjoying your getaway–and free, to boot! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the most relaxing part about a vacation is all you are wondering about from minute to minute is, “What am I going to do next to enjoy myself?” A week of that will take months of “real life” stress away right there.
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:14 am
the dress is killer….
lamesabassman……… and you’re looking rather hellacool 2
September 4th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Wow, what a great opportunity, Utah is really beautiful! I don’t think people give it enough credit. And might I add, you look adorable in that picture!
September 5th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Baba Doodlius: We were on a resort, so they had wine. But, yeah, I imagine SLC is likely very much the same as you remember it.
ZuelaPooh: Thank you!! :)
Kali: Oooh, Jamaica. Nice!
Pamela: I’d LOVE to go to Sundance. Might do it in the upcoming years.
Sherri Langburt: It was GREAT! Thank you :)
AnthonyB: Yep. Barbados. Here are all of my posts where I mention the Barbados trip: http://funkybrownchick.com/?s=barbados
dkzone: Thanks :) Glad you like the dress.
Aspasia: I once drove Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. The southwestern states are sooooo pretty. By the way, living in Utah must’ve been really interesting.
lamesabassman: I didn’t talk politics with anyone out there.
Andrew: You said, “[O]ften, the cities and states in the US which are most conservative often have the highest concentration of, say, strip clubs. (See: Texas.)” SOOOO true :)
Samanarana: Yeah, the Red Mountain Spa visit really made a positive impression on me regarding Utah. Good times! And, thanks for the compliments on the dress. I have a horrible habit of looking at my photos and picking out the things that are “wrong” with it (i.e. the dress is puffed out by the wind and makes me look fat). I need to be kinder to myself.
September 10th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
you still look like a cheerleader…..
lamesabassman….. and that’s a very good thing…. such a cuddly pose and a wonderful picture 2 …. try St.Kitts some time….