Old Meets New

Saturday was the first Farmers' Market of the year in Moab (UT), but there was a hint of the past in the Market’s activities.

As we entered Swanny Park, we were struck by the number of bikes at the “entrance.” Representing the community’s focus on exercise? Health-conscious attendees? Undoubtedly.

As confirmation of that assessment, we visited Sol Food Farm’s stand. “Sustainable, Organic, and Local.” So, Kate asked to purchase some lettuce and greens. The Market had been open for 100 minutes, and the folks here were sold out of the “spicy” greens. But, the owner found a bag of these greens in which some of the greens on the bottom layer were a bit wet.

“I’ll charge you half price, if you want this bag.” Kate eagerly agreed. The large bag, containing a good amount of arugula and some dandelion greens among others, had very few greens that were too wet. That would become dinner that evening.

It was early in the growing season, so there were only a couple of booths with food items for sale. After we visited some of the craft-oriented booths, we noticed a group at the far end of the grassy area. Yes, those are large hula hoops that one group brought in. It was unclear whether these were the center of some competitive events later in the morning or merely another healthy way to spend some time this morning.

But it was the racks of tie-dyed tee shirts that really emphasized days gone by. Complete with peace symbols, these shirts provided fodder for extended recollections of at least these two attendees.

I just have the feeling that only organic dyes were used in the process of making the patterns.

We aren't sure what this group's mission was, but interestingly, the goat seemed to fit perfectly into the Market's scene. We caught this consultation in an informal moment.

Also of interest was the shirt the fellow was wearing. It refers to CEESA, the Central and Eastern European Schools Association, one of several regional associations of US State Department sponsored American Overseas Schools.

On our way back to the truck, we talked to a craftsman working on converting a former residence into a steakhouse.

This is the Neals Olsen House, built in 1896. Most recently it was the Knave of Hearts Bakery.

Our walk also took us past the Uranium Building, built in 1954. I'm not sure if there is a direction connection, but on July 6, 1952, a geologist named Charles Steen finally struck it rich at his Mi Vida claim. He hit a vein of uranium-rich ore which would ultimately be worth more than $100 million. A sign in town proclaimed Moab as “The Uranium Capital of the World.”

Later that evening, we enjoyed a salad made from the Sol Food Farm greens with Kate-made croutons, Kate-made salad dressing, and two cheeses from Beehive Cheese Company, an artisan cheese producer in Utah.

It was a nice day for a brief return to days gone by.