Inside The Salt Palace

My view of The Salt Palace from the front of the Marriott Hotel. It seemed so simple, just cross the street and climb the stairs into the building, but when I crossed the street I had to turn left and walk the long block to the front of the building and it was what my mom used to call “a country block.” Then I had to climb the steps and get in line to register. Once I did that I was supposed to join another line to finally get inside to the con . I asked the ADA volunteer if anyone would notice if I faked a limp to enter by where he was standing and he said “Go” so I did.

There were rows and rows of merchandise selling vendors. And the costumes… I missed out on many great photos because I couldn’t work my I-phone camera fast enough. One man was dressed as Obi Won and at first glance, I thought it was Alec Guinness!

The place was so crowded. I had to back track from the entrance to the rear of the building to get in line for my T-shirt. I decided the line was too long and strolled around taking more photos.

There was so much to see and buy, and the panels hadn’t begun yet! When more of the garage type doors were opened to allow people to attend the panels I discovered I couldn’t read my app map or see the room numbers well enough to attend the panels that interested me; so I walked around and finally got in line for my T-shirt.

By then I decided to return to the hotel to drop off my swag bag and return later. I had planned on exiting close to the Marriott, but miscalculated and came out in Temple Square; so I found a park bench and sat about 20 minutes before finding my way back to the hotel.

When I got close to the Marriott, Hulk Hogan and his daughter Brooke came out a side door in front of me. At first I thought it was a cosplayer because part of the mustache looked fake (the part growing down around his lips), but it really was him!

What a glorious day!