What's not to love about Park City?

Tightly tucked into the side of the snow-capped Wasatch Mountains I’m looking onto Old Town Main St., the heartbeat of Park City, pumping with the busy-ness of shops, restaurants, and saloon-style bars, abundance of restaurants, lodges and Park City Mountain Ski Resort.

Born in 1864 as a Miners camp when hungry get rich quick prospectors came digging for gold and silver. They came to the right place...deep in these Wasatch mountains was literally tons of silver. Shunned by the sect of neighboring settlers, none other than Joseph Smith’s Mormons, miners had no problem making their life and fortunes here in Park City. The small miner’s cottages were built surrounding all of the commerce on Main St.. Most of the historic Victoria era cottages have been razed, but there remains a handful of multi-colored clap-board houses that are reminiscent of Park City of long ago, giving Park City a sense of charm. The surrounding mountains combined with the old town charm add to the allure of this mountain town.

If Main St. is the heart of Park City, the local ski resorts are the life-blood of the town, pumping energy into the community as people from all over the world flock to ski at any of the 3 mountain resorts the Canyons, Park City, and super fancy Deer Valley. These resorts are a huge source of income for the town and people here. They provide not only jobs but recreation and sense of community for PCers.

Skiing and other recreational sports are such a big deal that the locals and seasonal folks build their work schedules around skiing. Event the competitive young skiers, are allotted extra days off school to practice and compete. Park City is after all the home of the US Ski Team and Mecca for winter athletes from all over the world who aspire to be the best. The super powder found only in Utah makes it easy for consistent practice. I was acquainted with an Australian Olympic athlete here to train for the skeleton competition. Yeah – I wasn’t sure what it was either – the skeleton race is the single person sled that goes down head first. Anthony Dean…watch for him in Vancouver. I will also add that I have never seen a more fit community. This is a vibrant, active and really fun community.

Last weekend was the World Cup Freestyle competition (Mogul racing and Aerial jumping) Thousands came to catch a glimpse of the soon to be competing Olympic Athletes right here in our own backyard. Main St. kicked off the event with a free concert downtown and I was intrigued by the number of families with young little kids who came to rock out to the alternative rock band, the bravery. In a small town, if something is going on.. everyone comes out!

Turns out I am not the only one in transition making PC my home away from home. I have met several others in the same boat as me. Great minds!If Park City beckons, you answer the call and you wont be disappointed. This is an engaging and friendly town and welcoming to outsiders. Maybe because most here came from somewhere else? The rare breed are those born and stayed in PC – a tight group. As genuine locals they look out for each other and stick together amidst the waves of visitors rippling in and out of here. They are the few and as for the majority… one transplant couple I met at church said, once you come to Park City you don’t leave Park City. Hmmmmmmm.

Park City Livin'

A quiet and magnificent snow is falling on the mountain and on Main St. I am safely and warmly ensconced in the Alpine Internet cafe with a half-drunk Ghirardelli mocha within arms reach and my laptop burning up my thighs, feet kicked up on the table.

Officially Day 4 of my month-long Park City adventure and still getting my bearings.

I am staying about 5 miles outside Old Town Park City in an official bachelor pad; Complete with two - 30 something bachelors, girly magazines, tons of ski gear everywhere , two tv's that are side by side and on at the same time... alternating between one of 40 satelite sports channels or Comedy Central, fully stocked fridge (my surprise...these boys can cook) and plenty of dust. To paint a picture of the dust situation...yesterday I found myself 409'ing the remote controls...for real.

Ready to break away from the same-old, safe and familiar well Park City was beckoning and I answered the call.

Day one - Sunday was football day. I found a church and then was out and about exploring and came back to watch a personal record of 5 hours of football. Honestly, didnt think I had it in me.

They are guys-guys and I have an opening into their world. I am trying to be respectful of that. Walking the thin line of cool enough to hang with them and yet mature enough to be well...lets just leave it at that!

I have had two awesome home cooked meals - chili and then Thai Curry Chicken.

I expressed surprise at single guys being such good cooks and the conversation went something like this:

Me: Wow...I dont know any singles guys that are such great cooks

Them: Really? All of us that are single can cook. We dont know any single guys that cant cook.

Me: I do.

Them: Besides....everyone knows that guys need to know how to cook if they want to get laid.

Me: I definitely did not know that.

Them: Well, obviously nobody is cooking for you.

Me: No. Definitely not.

A peek into the mind of the 30 something single male...enlightening.

Oh and I got a kick last night out of my roomate saying he'd be willing to "pimp me out" to different guys he knows so I can get free meals and ski tickets and stuff. I played it cool...some people would be offened but I get it...they are just being guy. Fear not! I will (clearly) not allow myself to be pimped out! Thanks anyways...guys.

My favorite characher thus far has been my roomate Chris's friend Nat. He is the Spiccoli of skiers. He says things like "Dude! And "I was so baked!" Comes in and talks in some sort of ski-code talk...has nick-names for everyone...my roomate's is Monkey but he was talking about Snowman and Sex-Panther. He is 31 and all about skiing and chasing tail and as much of it as possible. Good luck with that ..."dude!"

My other favorite person (beside the guy Chris that I am renting from who is such a character, he merits a post all his own) is this guy Adam, who looks like a 40 year old Heath Ledger with straight hair. The night I met him he probably thought I was some weirdo - I couldnt stop staring. The resemblance is striking. He was with his adorable 26 year old girlfriend and I tried not to stare too too much. But we all know how I feel about Heath Ledger.

Park City is a ski-town and no doubt about it has a culture of its own. There are full time residents - and vacationers - but one thing is for sure...everyone skies. I've been enjoying the super convenient and free Park City shuttle that stops at all the ski resorts in town (Canyons, PC, and Deer Valley) it is amazing how people of all ages are skiing at all times of the day. What about school? What about work?

I'm sure I will figure it out...all in due time.

Coming up...Sundance! and more tales from the crib.