Utah, the place to be

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the great state of Utah and thought I’d share a little about my experience. In many ways, it was a place I felt I could be right at home in. Right about now, I think many of you readers will be wondering what a Bahraini has in common with a “Utahn”?

Excellent discussions with great friend, Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox

Well, for starters I found there was a strong sense of community where many residents have a history of service to others.  They also reflect religious tolerance and more diversity than the media often lets on. These are qualities I associate with Bahrain from the time I was old enough to remember until the present day.  

The Temple Square, Salt Lake City, UT

I also discovered that Utah is referred to as the “Beehive State” whose motto is “Industry” – both calling to mind the dedication to hard work that has been instrumental in the state’s development.   This vast state – the 11th largest in the US in terms of square miles – also has the 11th highest median income of the 50 states.

Whether it is in the IT field, industries related to their metal natural resources, or the transformation of this topographically rich state into a significant draw for tourism, the people of Utah have worked hard to realize their dreams of economic prosperity, a neighborly sense of community and holding firmly to their traditional values.

Boiling mud pots and yellow sulfurous soil can be seen near the ruins of the Roosevelt Hot Springs

And if that isn’t enough to warrant the kindred spirit I feel with Utah, I also discovered they have an important role to play in the energy sector, through production of oil, natural gas an drilling equipment. What more could a Gulf Arab ask for to feel right at home?! But like Bahrain, Utah didn’t just sit around and live off their natural resources. They diversified their economy - which is something we have been committed to in Bahrain - to insure a financially secure future for its citizens.

A safe and efficient transportation system of both unrefined and refined petroleum products is critical to the success of both the upstream and downstream sectors of Utah’s petroleum industry

So the next time I have a chance to take my family on vacation – which doesn’t come often enough for those of us in the Washington diplomatic community – we will be following in the path of those pioneers going West hundreds of years ago. With plenty to do all year around, we won’t be short of adventures in Utah. We’ll check out the winter sporting events, hit the renowned ski slopes or maybe be adventurous and try out the snowboarding (beginners-style rather than X-Games).

Bryce Canyon National Park

If it’s good weather we might try camping at the Bryce Canyon National Park whose amazing rock formations are second only to the mysterious and famous ancient pictographs (rock paintings) at Moab. Alternatively we might do some hiking and fishing in Utah’s vast network of rivers, lakes and streams.

Inside Utah State Capitol

I’ve learned enough in preparing for and spending a short time in Utah to know that this is a place I want to see more of this place and whose people I want to know better. Perhaps it’s said best in the State Song “Utah, This Is The Place”:

Utah! With its focus on family,

Utah! Helps each child to succeed.

People care how they live.

Each has so much to give.

This is the place!

There is beauty in the snow-capped mountains, in the lakes and streams.

There are valleys filled with farms and orchards too.

The spirit of its people shows in everything they do.

Utah is the place where dreams come true.