Things that the COVID-19 Pandemic Ruined or Changed Forever …

                                                Photograph from Wikipedia Commons.

 

  THE COVID-19 global pandemic lasted from 2020-2023 and was the catalyst for some significant changes in the American way of life, for good or bad …

  Here are 11 things/dimensions that the pandemic altered, as a sampling of what’s out there still:

1.  Increased Government/Media Mistrust. Because of the lack of science in some of the Pandemic mandates, like the 6-foot distance rule; the highly overrated health value of cloth masks, etc., many Americans will NOT be so quickly to trust similar mandates in the future.

2.  Widespread Tipping Frenzy. Someone the Pandemic exploded the tipping for service culture in America. Businesses where tipping was never expected before came into being. Get an ice cream cone? There’s an option/expectation of a tip for the server. Computerized checkouts feature tip requests just about everywhere. This made things more expensive.

3.  Curbside Pickup/Instacart phenomenon. The Pandemic sparked the creation of other people doing your shopping. Obviously, for disabled/homebound  persons, this is likely a win-win, yet it seemed to have made a lot of people, especially the younger generation just lazy – as they are too busy now to do their own shopping. Even in 2026, this curbside pickup is the largest expansion parameter in U.S, grocery stores.

4.  Increased inflation. Because the U.S. Government spent so much money on combatting the virus, inflation increased sharply during the Pandemic and the vast majority of all prices has never decreased. Example: A large jar of M&M Peanut candy was about $10 as the Pandemic began. Several years into it, the price was $16. For some companies, the Pandemic was an excuse to raise prices.

5.  More Expensive Fast Food. The reasoning of this scenario are hard to define, but fast food restaurants (McDonald’s and Jack in the Box, in particular) went from the least expensive places to eat, to some of the more expensive eateries during the Pandemic, as all prices rose and never came down. This made the medium sit-down restaurants (Chilli’s, Applebee’s) a much better value than most fast food places.

6.  Relaxed Code Enforcement. Most U.S. cities overlooked a lot of codes during the Pandemic and even after it was over, never went back to enforcing such laws as tall weeds, junk in yards, overgrown trees and bushes, etc. The result is more trashy looking neighborhoods and lazier citizens.

7.  A Reluctance to answer the door bell. Since many Americans sheltered at home during the Pandemic, door-to-door solicitation took a big hit. Combined with the rapid rise of doorbell cameras, many Americans do not answer their door much anymore and this may have led to less friendly neighborhoods.

8.  Less Restaurant/Store Parking. Restaurants and stores identified many close-to-the-building parking spaces for the pickup of food and products to take home. Even today, more than 3 years after the Pandemic, these spaces remain.

9.  The Rise of Face Masks (and Riots). It was virtually the law that out in public, Americans had to wear face masks to protect oneself from the virus. The cloth masks (cheapest ones) were promoted and some people still wear them today, even though their health safety value is almost zero. Science says only the top end face masks (used by medical workers) have any real value. The end result too was that protesters and rioters/criminals learned to wear these masks to conceal their identities and this resulted in an increase in lawlessness,

10.Less Business Promotions. During the Pandemic food demos were suspended temporarily. Some never returned. RC Willey Stores in Utah and surrounding states halted their long-time free hot dogs and similar promotions during the Pandemic and those programs never returned.

                              Photograph is from Wikipedia Commons.

11.Insane/Ridiculous Behavior, tolerated by the general populace. Watching cross country footraces during the Pandemic featured idiotic behavior that no one at the time questioned. Dozens of runners would line up at the starting line, with each athlete wearing a facemask. Then, at the sound of the starting gun, they all threw off their masks and raced off, leaving a pile of trash. Logically, what good is them wearing a mask at all, when the masks were abandoned right when breathing increased and germs spread all the more during the race? Another example of such insane/illogical behavior was at airports. Travelers all had to wear masks in line and be 6 feet apart (not supported by science, just a number thrown out), while once onboard a packed airplane, that mandated spacing no longer applied and people were sitting together as close as can be.

Gem Valley's Last Chance Canal saved Grace, Idaho area's Agriculture

 

           The dam and headworks where Bear River water is diverted into the Last Chance Canal.

          The Last Chance Canal as it crosses the first bridge, on the way to the tunnel and flumes.

THE Last Chance Canal was an engineering marvel for the early 20^th Century in Grace, Idaho.

All the initial work was done without government funding or outside the valley assistance.

Settlers in Gem Valley and Grace area were in dire need of an irrigation system to provide reliable water for their crops. The area could still have some dry farming, but not the majority. In desperation, the farmers named their project the Last Chance Canal, as they viewed as their last and only chance for a solution.

   The Last Chance Canal comes out of an 1,800-foot-long tunnel (left) and crosses over the Bear River.

The project was started in 1895 and completed by 1902. They had to rush, as they had a deadline to meet, or they would lose their water rights to the Bear River.

However, they were not done. There were long-term support problems with the wooden flumes along the river. The farmers hired Morrison-Knudsen Company to create a tunnel through a solid lava rock hill. This 1,800-foot-long tunnel was made with hand tools. A horse-pulled rail car moved the rock out of the tunnel. Digging work was started at each end and when the ends met in the middle, there was only a one foot variance. The tunnel is 12 feet wide and 9 feet high.

  The tunnel created a shortcut, a more level route, and meant almost no wooden flumes right next to the river. A cross river flume was created to take the canal from the tunnel, south across the river and it was supported by a concrete arch. There was also another flume that broke off and went north across the river to carry water to the north side of the valley. A new flume, all-steel, replaced the concrete arch in 1946.

A second, but shorter flume crosses back across the Bear River and carries water northward into Gem Valley. And, this is the flume that some risk takers have jumped off of into the Bear River over the decades. However, some divers have drowned doing so, with the last fatality happening in 2025.

A dam and headworks, just upstream, diverts the water into the Last Chance Canal. The farmers had to build log cribs of timber and rock, which they set atop the ice covered river in the winter, to create the dam.

 Today, the area is a hotbed of activity for tubing, swimming and diving into the canal or river.

                              The historical sign along the Bear River.

The nearest ranch to the canal system in Grace is at the start of the Last Chance Canal Road. That farm, (shown above) is the Rigby Farm, and is also the first one to receive irrigation water from the Bear River through the Last Chance Canal system, at least on the north side of the Bear River.

During the summer season, water lovers like to tube or swim a length of the Last Chance Canal System. They often jump into the water at the end of tunnel, travel about 600 yards and then walk back atop the  canal's roof and do the trip again. The force of the water almost effortlessly carries the swimmers along.

Note: Beaver County in Southern Utah also has a canal system named, “Last Chance Canal.” So, the name is not unique.

 

SOURCES: https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109914   The Historical Markers Database

Digital Atlas of Idaho

Historical signs along the Bear River

 

 

Hogle Zoo entrance fees increase more than 8-fold in 62 years

         An elephant at Hogle Zoo in 1987. (Sadly, elephants left the Zoo in 2023, creating a huge void.)

Found an advertisement about Hogle Zoo in 1963. Admission back then was just 10 cents for children and 25 cents for adults.

Of course, Hogle Zoo is much larger now and has many more animals, but costs in early 2025 are $21.95 for adults and $17.95 for children. Accounting for inflation, the current cost is more than 8 times as much as in 1963.

Is Hogle Zoo overpriced?

It does receive government funding too.

You decide....

Riding Amtrak Coach from Chicago to Salt Lake City

 

                                                     Chicago's Union Station.

A strong desire to see more countryside than one can see out of an airplane window prompted a California Zephyr train ride, in coach seating, from Chicago to Salt Lake City on October 3-5, 2024.

While my wife flew home from Chicago, I went solo, on the train. This is the story of my trip….

The Chicago Train Station is simply huge. Amtrak took just a fraction of it. And, there were all kinds of food options available at the station, including McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A. It took some wandering, but I finally found the Amtrak section. (I had months earlier paid $167 for my ride, which included $18 insurance extra, to get a complete refund, should I cancel my ride.)

Surprisingly, there were zero security checks. No one even glanced at my bags. I was given a piece of cardboard with my coach seat number on it and I boarded. (I chose riding coach, because the “roomettes” are way too small and the actual rooms are way overpriced.) I lucked out and not only got a window seat, it was on the second floor, mid-train car and on the left side of the train (best overall view for the trip).

I quickly realized that all the YouTube videos I watched of this ride really didn’t contain enough pertinent information…. I was one my own.

The train left on time – 2 p.m. and a woman sitting next to me was only going to western Illinois and used the Zephyr as a commuter train, not a scenic train. Once she left, I was sitting alone until Denver.

                                          California Zephyr as it leaves Chicago.

One of the most important things to learn is how to safely and efficiently walk down the aisles as the train is moving. Unless you are really short, grabbing onto the ledge of the upper compartment hold works best. That way, you keep your balance, but do not disturb passengers in the seats below.

                                        Wide open farm fields of Western Illinois.

It is also important early on know where the rest rooms are, plus the observation room, café and dining car. (Being frugal, I brought many snacks, drinks and sandwiches, so I never spent a penny on the train.) As a passenger nearby said, if you ate every meal through the train’s dining, you would pay $85 a day and at least compared to a coach train face, would surpass that total cost by about your fourth meal. (Breakfast was $20; Lunch $25 and dinner was $40.)

                  Amtrak crossing the Mississippi River.

I really enjoyed watching all the little Illinois and Iowa towns go by from my window view. When we crossed the Mississippi River, near Burlington, Iowa, only I seemed to even notice that. I didn’t go to the observation car until near the end of my ride, because, yes, it was crowded and my window seat already had good views.

The leg room was slightly bigger than what I had on my first-class airplane ride to Chicago and the seats reclined back a long ways. There was also a fold-out tray for food or a computer, an electrical plug nearby and room under my seat for a carry on bag and my other bag was above my seat in the storage area.

All passengers around me were rather quiet and most kept to themselves. The rest rooms were about the size of those on an airplane, but one was larger for the handicapped and another one was larger because it included extra space to change one’s clothes. There was no shower – just a sink, mirror and toilet.

The first conductor was firm about no passenger changing their assigned seats and one woman got kicked out of her seat three times by him, as at night she sought a seat by herself. (The later conductors just cared about knowing where one moves to, as a tag above your seat states where your final destination is and they simply didn’t want anyone to miss their stop.)

It got dark outside just before the train hit Omaha, Nebraska. (The interior train car lights get turned down by 11 p.m., until about 7 a.m., during the quiet period).

I should have used earplugs as the train whistles kept blaring all night going through numerous small crossings in Nebraska. It took over an hour before I dozed off. When I woke up about 6:30 a.m., we were in Colorado. I shaved and refreshed in the bathroom and was soon back in my seat looking at N.E. Colorado.

The train had to do some fancy switching and reversing to get into the Denver Train station, but it arrived about 10 minutes ahead of schedule.

                                                            Denver's Union Station.

I went in the Denver Union Station to use a real rest room and stretch. I was gone just 20 minutes, but there was an unannounced “mechanical problem” and we sat an extra 70 minutes before we moved again. (We were now an hour behind schedule and looking at what others have said about this ride, Amtrak is almost never on time, so plan on that scenario…)

Three women from Salt Lake had taken the Amtrak to Denver two days earlier and got on at Denver. One of them sat next to me, but the trio spent ample time in the dining and observation cars, so I had plenty of solitude…

All my pre-made peanut butter sandwiches tasted great, but some donuts and pop tarts I have brought were smashed into small pieces.

Now came the best part of the ride. Looping through the Denver foothills to climb through the Rocky Mountains offered the best scenery so far.  The train had to climb almost 4,000 feet to enter the Moffat Tunnel, a 6.2-mile-long conduit through the mountain tops, to Winter Park. Surprisingly, there were a dozen or more small tunnels to go through to even reach the Moffat Tunnel.

The fall color scenery was excellent and the train was nearly full, because of that reason.

I was amazed how much loose rock was on the mountainside above the railroad tracks and yet we were sailing along smoothly. Also, every time I thought we were above paved roads on the Colorado mountainside, I’d spot a different, new road, that cut through the Rockies.

The Moffat Tunnel ride seemed quick and Winter Park, 9,000-feet above sea level, was reached. For the rest of the trip, I was amazed at how many passengers got on—and—off at little towns in Colorado. The train soon followed the Colorado River all the way to Utah. About half of that was in an area north of Interstate 70, where there are rarely paved roads nearby. A lot of river rafters were spotted and the fall colors were at their peak. When the train left Glenwood Springs, it was full to capacity again …

         Utah's La Sal Mountains (east of Moab), as seen from the Amtrak observation car.

When the train reached Utah, it was only about half full again and I sat in the observation car for the rest of the trip. The train was about 90 minutes behind schedule at Price, Utah. By then, it was pitch dark outside and there was little one could see. The train stopped almost a half-hour again partway through Spanish Fork Canyon, for some unknown reason. Now, we were two hours behind schedule.

When the train reached the Provo, Utah station, I was alone in the observation car and got a kick out of seeing the Wasatch Front zoom by. It was supposed to take 72 minutes from Provo to Salt Lake, but the train moved faster than any previous point on the trip and was going 79 miles an hour all the way – and did the trip in about 58 minutes.

The train was supposed to reach Salt Lake City at 11:15 p.m., but it was 1 a.m., when it finally arrived. A line of three dozen passengers were waiting there to get on the train to the Nevada-California segment.

Mission accomplished, I saw scenery I wanted to see.

Would I do the ride again? Probably only if my wife or another family member or friend was with me. It was inexpensive and a rather unique ride.

NOTE: If I had booked a "roomette," the trip cost would have been $500 and a room on the train would have been about $1,000, as compared to $149 in coach (without insurance).

 

 

 

A Sad Farewell to Annie's Diner in Kaysville, Utah ...

 

Sadly, my wife and I had our last visit to Annie’s Diner in Kaysville, Utah on May 22, 2024. 

This locally owned eatery is closing by June 1, 2024, or before, as it has lost more than $93,000, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. (Thanks to one of my Facebook friends, Valerie Phillips, for posting first on Facebook about the closing.) 

I haven't felt this sad about a restaurant closing since Utah Noodle of Ogden called it quits in September of 2012. (I also didn't like it when The Oaks Restaurant in Ogden Canyon closed either.)

  Annie's had probably been open about 20 years, under three different ownerships. It opened in the late 1990s as Jonnie's Restaurant and was bought and switched to Annie's in 2002.

My wife and I made one last late lunch visit to Annie's. We had to wait 22 minutes to be seated and 30 minutes for our food, but worth it. Lots of high school kids there with yearbooks on the last full day of public school  (including 4 young men we saw who left without paying). Many people before us had to apparently wait 60 minutes for their order. 

                                         The Cadillac Burger, with bacon and fries.

The staff was so far behind that they locked the doors 5 minutes after we got there. We saw at least 6 people turned away. For me, the Cadillac Burger (their most expensive regular item at $16.99) was what I always ordered. And, it was as great tasting as ever,

                                   The author and a Cadillac Burger.

A waitress said they only found out about the closing the night prior. She said the owner had stopped coming in much recently was the only pre-warning sign, as the restaurant seemed plenty busy.

 

The owner stated on Facebook that he was essentially subsidizing each meal ordered by about 7 percent. And, when he tried a price increase before that, business went down significantly. He had already saved the restaurant from closing a few years ago when he bought it from the original owner, who was set to close it.

Other than some very small local eateries, except for fast food now, Kaysville seems to only have Orlando’s Mexican restaurant as its lone major sit-down restaurant left. 

Annie's was kind of a rough equivalent of Sill's Restaurant in neighboring Layton City, though more upscale.

  All in all, it is one less locally owned restaurant in an eatery world dominated more and more by chain restaurants.

              A Jack in the Box restaurant under construction, south of Annie's in Kaysville.

A new Jack in the Box (my favorite fast food place) is ironically under construction next door, and to the south of Annie’s. – (some consolation for me.)

 

A Tribute to the late Chuck Gates

 

  Charles "Chuck" Joseph Gates, Jr., 66, passed away on August 9, 2023 in Ogden, Utah.

He and I first crossed paths in 1981 and initially, we talked a lot about dating problems with current and past girlfriends, as we were both single then. We created a bond early on.

 Chuck always seemed so cool and calm, someone special to respect and look up to. We worked at the same place for some 27 years. He was one of my bosses for 15 of those years. We both eventually got laid off just a few months apart. He wanted me to invest in a possible business with him a few weeks after I was let go. I said no, as it seemed too risky.

On the other hand, I don't think anyone else had ever trusted me enough to partner in a business adventure. We both eventually landed on our feet, got other jobs and moved on. With his passing, I wonder more and more how that business venture might have gone?

Chuck died following an accident -- he fell off the roof of his house and went head first into the ground. He had to be put into an induced coma to have any hope of recovery, but after three days, there was no hope and all plugs were pulled. Apparently, the edge of his roof collapsed, which resulted in his fall. 

(This is at the least a stern, first-hand  reminder to always be careful when atop roofs or ladders!)

His funeral service proved we had more in common than I thought. And, surprisingly, he had years ago moved northward, from south Salt Lake County, to northern Weber County. I wish I had realized that and got some connection going again, as I had not seen or talked to him for some 11 years, even though he lived just 9 miles away for almost the past decade, instead of 50 miles or more for the previous years.

This should be a lesson to myself (and those who read this), to not let relationship lapses go on, or you may regret your lost chances one day!

Chuck was a deep thinker, very innovative, a great writer and editor. He always treated me fair. I felt a better person for his friendship and wish I had not not let it go inactive.

Is Lagoon Park too expensive?

IS Lagoon Park in Farmington, Utah too expensive?

It is tricky to compare all parks and their prices, as some parks' prices vary by month, time of the daily entry, the season or what's included.

Look at the basic rankings/dollar numbers below for the regular adult admission and you decide this query (as of April 2023 prices):

1. Disneyland. Single park/single day pass from *$104 and up; Three park/1 day hopper pass $209; Season pass $400 to $1,600; Parking $30.

2. Lagoon: Single day pass **$101.69; Season pass $207.79; Parking $20.

3. Knotts Berry Farm. Single day pass $89.99; Season pass $145; Parking $25. Soak City water park is separate $56.78; Season pass $145.

4. Six Flags Magic Mountain. Single day pass $85.91; Season pass $114.99, plus tax; Parking $40.

5. Silverwood, N. Idaho. Single day pass $79; Season pass $221-$715; Parking $10; (Boulder Beach water park is separate admission with a season pass.)

*Varies by day/season, by which park, Disneyland or California Adventure.

**Does not include any discount offers.

-----------------------------------------

Recommendation:

-Lagoon should return to what it originally did -- Separate the cost for Lagoon-A-Beach, as its own individual entry price. This would significantly reduce the cost for a day pass for rides only. This is only fair, because in summer doing the "Beach" reduces the number of rides a patron can do; and in the pre-season (April and most of May, plus fall), Lagoon-A-Beach is NOT even open.