History and Art of Salt Lake City Walking Tour

Born and raised in Texas, I've also lived in Utah, Arizona, Hungary, Australia, and China. I love traveling and photographing the world! I love experiencing places through their architecture, stories, and culture. However, no matter where I travel, Utah and Texas will always be my home. Texas because you can't take Texas out of a Texan, and Utah because this is where my roots reach deep, going back four generations to the pioneers who helped this desert blossom as a rose. In addition to giving tours, I write and illustrate children's books and provide field trips (tours integrated with academics) for homeschool students. My experience traveling has helped me better understand the value of tour guides and tour companies. I've been blessed (or cursed) with a knack for remembering interesting facts. I channel this information into my tours, so that you get more than just the basics or what you could get by reading plaques. The tours I give are more hands-on and immersive experiences that you can't get through reading a book, browsing pictures online, or watching videos. By giving tours, I'm helping people expand their understanding and appreciation of diverse ideas to help make the world a better place. Even though I have been visiting Utah since I was a kid and have been told the stories of my pioneer ancestors, it wasn't until I lived in downtown Salt Lake City while attending LDS Business College (now Ensign College) that I fell in love with it. That's when I explored the city looking for examples of design and architecture for my interior design classes. That's when as a runner for a local law firm I came across hidden stories of the city, like where the historic Chinatown and red-light districts were, while delivering documents to offices around the city. Since then, I've explored and researched more and more. I'd love to help you discover the well-known and the lesser known stories of this magnificent city and state from its temples and cathedrals to the stories of its indigenous people and immigrants to its natural beauty and wonders. Any of my tour options can be personalized and tailored for you. For instance, if you have a special interest or passion, let me know, and I can adapt or design a tour just for you. I can meet you just about anywhere in the Salt Lake area. We'll use my Honda Odyssey minivan or a rental vehicle for a tour that requires driving. Either way, it will be comfortable and clean. Whether you're visiting Salt Lake for work, a convention, to ski, or as a starting or ending point for Utah's mountains and outdoor adventures, I can't wait to welcome you to Salt Lake City and share this magnificent place with you. •Member of Utah Tour Guide Association, currently serving as president •3 years of experience as a historical interpreter and trail boss at This is the Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City, Utah •2 years of experience as a tour guide at Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home in Scottsdale, Arizona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark •2 years as a Certified Tourism Ambassador in Dallas, Texas (there is no CTA program in Utah) •4.5 years of experience giving tours at the Summer Palace in Beijing, China •Owner of private tour company and children's book publisher •Interior Design Certificate and Associates Degree, Ensign College, Salt Lake City, Utah •Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah •Master of Science in Leadership, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona none