Cabela's

Considering that it is the UEA break for Utah's teachers and students alike, Gian and I decided to do something exciting. We took a drive up the I-15 for a new cultural experience. Our destination was a mega outdoor sporting goods store near the point of the mountain called Cabela's. It wasn't hard to find because it has its own road, Cabela's Drive. The place is huge just like the trucks and SUV's that fill every stall in the parking lot. It was a whole different world in there. It has anything and everything the sportsman could ever dream of from a vintage muzzle loader with a gun powder horn to a camouflage lazy boy complete with leaves and twigs for only $700.
In some ways Cabela's is like an amusement park. It's full of excitement and has the smell of candy roasted nuts wafting through the air. It's so big that attendants greet you at the door to hand out maps and are sure to point out the resturant.
Our first adventure was through a tunnel of 2 impressive aquariums. The fish were huge. I do think it would have been far more exciting if we were given an underwater view of the finishing experience with hooks and lures-- at least every hour or two.
Gian's recent taxidermy interests made Cabela's a prime spot. Most walls were mounted with animal heads and fiberglass fish. In the very center of the store lays a two story trophy mountain full of stuffed polar bears, cougars, world record pronghorn antelope and a prairie dog that looked like it had just left the nail salon. Guests have been known to stare open mouthed at all the natural beauty.
We fished virtually on a TV screen with a video game controller disguised as a fishing rod. It was pretty much better than being out on the water because there was radar that told us exactly where the fish were and hey, no mess to clean up. The pole even tugged and the reel had tension releasing the adrenaline one experiences with a real catch. I bet you could even play that game from the comfort of the camo lazy boy.
A talking moose (which to me just screamed Chucky Cheese's) invited guests into a laser shooting range where for 50 cents any brave soul can have their go at rabbits that pop out of holes and moose that periodically peer out from behind the cover of a bush. The great part is that these stuffed targets are on hinges. They fall flat to the ground when the marksman puts on a good show and about 20 seconds later they pop right back up as stiff as a board.
Our last stop was the Gun Library. Gian was disappointed-- there wasn't a single book in the whole place.
Cabela’s was everything we had hoped for. Together we experienced a cultural landmark hidden from the eye of many. We are quick to head out into the world for something new and unusual... no need. We've got a real gem just up the freeway.