April in Utah

Growing up in New Jersey, I remember April being my second favorite month (behind October) because of its frequent drenching rainfall and its vibrant colors and dramatic rebirths. April 1st was planting time (no fooling). Although late frosts did occur, they were a rare unwelcome visitor to Chatham Township. You could rely on variations between warm and wet and cool and wetter--rarely snowy. I used to visit relatives in Utah in July or August every other year or so. I was so excited to see the mountains and canyons and go fishing at Mill Creek or Walsenberg that I never really came to realize that it was hot outside. Now I live in northern Utah County at 4,893 ft. April for us means simply that a few warm, dry days will be scattered between the snowy, windy, cold days. More still, here in my little neck of the sagebrush, we really cannot contemplate planting a garden until May 25th. Even so, we have occasional frosts until late June requiring the covering of tomato plants and pepper plants.

So, why live in Utah with its two-extreme-seasons climate? The two states in comparison with pros and cons for both:
1. Utah has a repressive tax code that socks it to everyone unfairly.
1. New Jersey's tax laws are surprisingly good. There is no tax whatsoever on food or clothing (unless luxury).
2. Utah has Temple Square, Albion Basin, Nebo and Alpine loops, and St. George for the winter months.
2. New Jersey has Autumn.
3. Utahns still believe in the sanctity of the traditional family as the foundation of society and their marriage laws reflect the same.
3. New Jersey, despite the large volume of fantastic religious people of all faiths, has desecrated marriage and family with its laws.
4. Utah's public schools still allow "Merry Christmas" and "I don't believe in global warming" to be spoken.
4. Many of my friends of faith (Catholic, Lutheran, and otherwise) in NJ send their kids to private religious schools at great financial sacrifice to save them from the trash they would get at the public cess-schools. (It is worth noting here that if the UEA had their way, we Utahns would be right there with New Jerseyans.)

I guess I can put up with the two seasons and crappy gardening.