Snowbird

We are staying at the snowbird ski resort during our time visiting Salt Lake City. For the past two days we have pretty much been doing a lot of nothing. We are in a really nice hotel with a big comfortable room, lots of kids activities, pools etc...There is a pretty steep drive up the mountains (Wasatch) to get to snowbird.
We ventured down the mountain today to look around and found an intense urban sprawl. Miles and miles of superstores, chain restaurants etc...which brings me to a question I have wondered many times before.
At this point in time, are most urban centers in America more or less the same? I am not looking to simplify this question. I understand that there are clear geographic and historical differences.

The more I think about it, the biggest difference that I can figure is that some show their poverty and some hide it better.
So I guess the question becomes are most middle class urban centers in America more or less the same?
To be honest, the only difference in what we did today from what we might have done at home is the big Wasatch mountain range looming behind the parking lots.

On the other hand, we have not walked through downtown Salt Lake yet...
There is also a particular news story plastered all over the front page of the local paper which I firmly believe, would not happen at home.


Vinny has started his own photo essay of chain stores he has never seen before.
FYI we have only actually eaten at a few of them.