"Delicate
Arch just discovered it has a long-lost twin in Bolivia's Tucabaca
Park." (See
the full-sized photos.)
The resemblance is amazing. I know
Delicate
Arch is stunning when you see it in person. It's one of my
favorite photo subjects. I'm sure Bolivia's arch is also impressive.
Makes me want to go see.
It’s a park to
make Steven Spielberg proud, with not only one of the world’s
largest concentrations of dinosaur bones from the Jurassic Period
ever discovered, but also white-water rafting wild enough to make the
most jaded action-film fan squeal.
Twenty miles east
of Vernal, Utah, is the Dinosaur Quarry (accessible only from the
Utah side), the destination for most day visitors to the
325-square-mile monument. More than 1,500 bones of the so-called
‘terrible lizards’ that lived here 150 million years ago have
been exposed on a 200-foot rock face.
Dinosaur is located just east of the
town of Vernal, in NE Utah. The
monument sports a bran new
Quarry Building and Visitor Center.
It's one of the great places in the world to bring kids for education
and adventure.
The snowpack in Utah's mountains is
melting and the resulting runoff is cascading down streams. As a
result, some streams are running high and and have dangerous
conditions.
In Zion National Park, the very popular
Narrows hike has been closed and will not reopen until runoff
subsides. The magic number for The Narrows is 150 cubic feet per
second – the canyon will reopen to hiking when the Virgin River
drops to that level for 24 hours.
When will that happen? Probably won't
be long this year. Our snowpack is meager and so runoff is not
expected to be particularly heavy or last very long. The Narrows will
certainly be open by June 1, and may opeen much sooner (depending on
weather conditions.)
Other streams will also be high. People
need to exercise caution when traveling or recreating near streams.
Some backcountry roads ford streams (no bridges). Don't drive into a
stream that is flooding. When hiking, use extreme caution when
crossing streams and don't go into the water if it looks unusually
high or dangerous. Keep a sharp eye on kids and don't let them play
near the streams.
Often, water will be deeper, faster and
colder than expected. Crossing will probably be more difficult than
you anticipate. Take care.
Spring Fishing Is Hot At Lake Powell And Around Utah
New Utah tecord catch and release channel catfish caught by John Konzelman
Spring Fishing Is Hot At Lake Powell
And Around Utah
Striped bass fishing is red hot on the
lower end of Lake
Powell, with fish eagerly taking anchovies and other baits.
Smallmouth bass fishing is also very good and that action will peak
during the next couple weeks. Largemouth bass, walleye, catfish and
sun fish are also cooperating with anglers.
Meanwhile, ice is now coming off some
of Utah's most popular trout waters. The ice is going quickly at
Scofield and
fishing there has been very good for cutthroat and tiger trout.
At Strawberry,
ice is now pulling back and the much anticipated "ice off"
fishing will take place during the next few days.
We've also heard that ice is pulling
back at Current Creek Reservoir.
Is is completely off Otter Creek and
many other reservoirs in southern Utah. Fish Lake is the exception –
it will still be a couple of weeks before it opens up.
The ice-off period often brings great
trout fishing. The fish seem to congregate along the edge of the ice
as it pulls back from shore. Anglers who position themselves so they
can cast and work lures along the edge of the ice often do very well.
Come cast flies or lures onto the ice and then hop it along the
surface until it falls off the edge. Trout often hit lures as the
fall vertically at the edge of the ice.
During spring fish can be finicky and
there are no guarantees. Many factors affect success and action is
slow at times. But, on average, you have a very good chance of
catching nice fish if you get out during the next couple weeks.
Our streams are mostly in good shape
and also offer great fishing. Snowpack is low and so runoff has not
yet become a problem. If the weather stays warm for an extended
period, we may get some high water that makes stream fishing
difficult. But if we continue to have warm/cold cycles, runoff may
never be a big problem this year.
The Green,
Provo, Ogden,
Weber and many other streams now offer good fishing.
Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources
confirms a new "catch and release" record channel catfish
was caught caught April 12 at Cutler Reservoir.. It measured 36-inch
long. We are using of photo of that fish to illustrate this blog
post.
goop.com has this
interesting article suggesting great travel escapes, including
ideas for a road trip in Utah.
goop.com asked the experts at Black
Tomato, "a very hip UK and US based travel agency," to make
recommendations. The Black Tomato guys suggested:
A real Texas ranch
A trip to Santa Fe and Taos, New
Mexico
A stay in Charleston, South
Carolina
And a road trip in southern Utah
In Utah they recommended the Zion
Park and Moab
areas: “We’d send you off to Zion Mountain Ranch for
canyoneering, night campfires and horse back riding, as well as
incredible landscapes and scenery. Then, we'd recommend you drive
onto Sorrel
River Ranch right in the middle of the dramatic cliff tops. This
resort has farm-to-food plates, a great spa as well as national park
walking, river rafting, off road touring and family friendly
activities.”
The article goes on to suggest some
international destinations including:
Jarvie Ranch Hosts Family Fest and Archaeology Week Activities
Jarvie
Ranch is a historic site on the Green River in Browns
Park, in northeastern Utah.
The area has a colorful history that included Native Americans,
ranchers, cattlemen and Old West outlaws. It was one of the stops on
the "Outlaw Trail" and was sometimes visited by Butch
Cassidy and his gang.
The old ranch house now serves as a
small museum showcasing relics from the area.
The BLM provided this information about
Family Fest and Archaeology Week activities at the ranch:
What: John Jarvie Ranch Family Festival
Where: Historic John Jarvie Ranch at Browns Park
When: Saturday, May 4, 2013, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Who: Public – everyone is welcome – no entrance fee
Why: Experience turn-of-the century days gone by!
Activities of the day include leather working, blacksmith demonstrations, period photography, crafts, bake sale and Browns Park Homemakers Club luncheon. Archaeology activities include flint knapping, atlatl throwing, making your own rock art, and a pottery demonstration.
Directions to the John Jarvie Ranch from Vernal, Utah:
Go north on Hwy 191 for 55 miles
Travel east on a gravel/paved road for 22 miles (two miles of up to 12 percent grade)
Follow Jarvie Ranch/Browns Park signs
Directions to the John Jarvie Ranch from Maybell, Colorado:
Go west on Hwy 318 for 70 miles of paved road and eight miles of gravel road
Follow Jarvie Ranch/Browns Park signs
For additional information on Jarvie Fest, call the Vernal Field Office at 435-781-4400 or the Jarvie Historical Ranch at 435-885-3307.
Online registration is now open for the 10th Annual Utah Tourism Conference that will be held at the Dixie Convention Center in St. George from May 14-16, 2013. The conference is co-sponsored by the Utah Office of Tourism and the Utah Tourism Industry Coalition (UTIC).
“Tourism drives the Utah economy with jobs and tax revenues, so it's really important for all industry partners to gather once a year,” said Vicki Varela, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism, Film, and Global Branding, an agency of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “We will brainstorm, share successes and collaborate to make sure tourists experience the very best of Utah Life Elevated®.”
The agenda includes sessions on domestic and international marketing, research trends, social media, a legislative update, and other topics.
“The Utah Tourism Conference is an excellent opportunity for businesses around the state to learn about what is new in the industry, what is working well for others, and how the efforts of all the state’s businesses collectively make the industry stronger and more cohesive,” said Marian DeLay, president of UTIC and executive director of the Moab Area Travel Council. “We have excellent speakers lined up, and a fun agenda planned. We hope to see more and more of our outfitters, lodging property owners and managers, restaurant owners and tourism providers present this year.”
“We are most anxious to host all of our tourism partners from around the state,” said Roxie Sherwin, director of the St. George Area Convention and Tourism Office. “We have planned for an enlightening conference, a good time and great weather!”
Entries and nominations are being accepted for the Utah Tourism Hall of Fame Awards and the new 2013 Best Ideas in Advertising and Marketing Contest. The deadline for the Hall of Fame nominations is April 26. Details for the Hall of Fame can be found online at http://utahtourism.org/. The awards will be presented during the conference.
The Best Ideas in Advertising and Marketing Contest is an opportunity for the industry to learn from each other while sharing their successes in advertising and marketing. The deadline for the contest is April 26. Entries can include successful events, PR stunts, advertising campaigns, online promotions, or any imaginative approach that has been taken to promote a destination. There is no charge to participate, but tourism organizations are limited to one entry. For more information on the contest, visit http://utahtourism.org/, or contact Rebecca Katz at the Utah Office of Tourism at rkatz@utah.gov.
Tourism is one of Utah’s largest industries, generating $6.9 billion in traveler spending every year and $890 million in state and local taxes. Utah’s Travel and Tourism-related employment is estimated at 124,059 tourism-related jobs in the state. In 2011, 22 million international and domestic travelers visited Utah.
Individual conference registration is $175. Two or more representatives from the same company can register for $150 per person. A student registration is also available for $50. For conference information and registration, visithttp://utahtourism.org/ or call UTIC at (801) 505-5266 or contact the Utah Office of Tourism at VisitUtah.com or (801) 538-1900.
This is National
Parks Week (April 20-28, 2013). Entrance fees are waived at
properties managed by the U.S. National Park Service. That includes
Utah's 5 national parks, our national monuments and our national
recreation areas.
Special activities are being held at
some parks. We encourage you to get to know our parks, and to enjoy
the scenery, activities and adventures they offer.
The Utah Office of Tourism sponsors a
blog with tips and information to help people interested in traveling
to Utah. In this
post, writer Ben Dodds describes a trip to southwestern
Utah where the beauty and serenity helped him find relief from
physical ailments. He talks about his adventures in the Needles
District of Canyonlands,
Natural
Bridges National Monument and the Sand Island area on the San
Juan River near Bluff.
Here are excerpts from his blog post:
...I explored
Chesler Park. An 11-mile roundtrip hike into a world of spires, whose
contrasts, colors, and shapes are amplified by the rising or setting
sun. I carefully and deliberately made each step on the trail, so as
not to aggravate my back. The surreal experience of hiking through
such intensely colored rock and spectacular beauty was heightened by
the absolute silence and perfect serenity of Canyonlands.
...A few minutes
later, I observed a coyote walk into the river just a few hundred
yards upstream. It noticed me and stopped. Locked in eye contact, I
remained absolutely motionless until it decided I wasn't a threat. It
moved deeper into the river until the current carried it downstream.
It continued paddling to the south bank of the river and pulled
itself up a few hundred yards downstream from me. The fleeting
interaction, no more than a minute, left me awestruck, and will be an
enduring memory.
The Office of Tourism also has this
pinterest.com page showcasing beautiful photos of various
destinations in Zion
National Park. The images are outstanding and fun to view.
I was pleasantly surprised to find one
of my photos displayed among the collection. It is a shot of Double
Falls, on the right Fork of North Creek in the Kolob
Terrace section of the park.
It's a nice photo, but I don't consider
it one of my best.
The pinterest.com page has numerous
photos from The
Narrows, The
Subway and the Angels
Landing areas, which is understandable because they are very
popular destinations.
I found it interesting that the page
does not include any photos from Parunuweap Canyon, which I consider
to be one of the most interesting and photogenic in the area.
Parunuweap is similar to The Narrows, deep, dark and narrow, but more
challenging to explore. Hikers are allowed to descend a wild section
immediately east of the park, but are not supposed to follow the
canyon downstream into the park itself. (Maybe that's why it is not
represented on the page.)
I've used one of my Parunuweap shots to illustrate this blog post. See more of my Parunuweap
photos here.
The Washington Post's travel section
has this
interesting article giving a first person account of a trip to
Cedar Mesa,
in southeastern Utah.
Writer Kate Siber recounts her trip and notes that the area offers
impressive natural beauty plus amazing ancient Native American sites
and artifacts in an unspoiled wilderness-like setting where it is
still possible to enjoy solitude.
I love the area and explore there
often. I've struggled with the dichotomy: should I write about, draw
attention to and encourage people to visit an area I love because of
its unspoiled, undiscovered qualities?
In the case of Cedar Mesa, I think it
is appropriate to tell the world about its wonderful qualities. I'm
glad that Kate and others write good, responsible article about the
place.
Kate notes that there are still
artifacts scattered on the ground in many spots: pottery shards,
ancient corn cobs and other relics from pre-history. The reason they
are still there is that most visitors are ethical and work to protect
and preserve the area.
Cedar Mesa and other similar spots are
being discovered. It is impossible to hide a place so beautiful, with
such remarkable ancestral Puebloan structures, rock art and
artifacts. Our best hope is to help educate people about the place,
and encourage them to be responsible visitors.
Below I give Kate's headline and then
quotes from the article:
On Utah’s
Cedar Mesa, solitude and the thrill of discovery
In
a forgotten corner of Utah between the towns of Blanding and Bluff,
Cedar Mesa is a riddle of canyons, moss-draped oases and sandstone
spires. Despite the area’s desolate beauty, travelers routinely
overlook it in favor of better-known national park sites such as
Canyonlands, Arches, Mesa Verde and Chaco. They’re missing out.
...Many sites have never been excavated, named or mapped, and few
modern eyes have seen them. Although ruins in national parks can be
larger and more elaborate, Cedar Mesa offers a rare slice of solitude
and the thrill of discovery.
...Cedar Mesa’s wildness is what preserves it. It’s also a large
part of its appeal, and the reason it perennially lures me from my
Colorado home, a half-day’s drive away.
Utah has a well-deserved reputation as
a friendly place. Come here and you'll be greeted by smiling people
who will offer kind words and helpful advice. Travelers are always
welcome at our parks and
recreation areas and our
festivals and events
– even those in small communities.
Two new studies suggest you will also
encounter happy people, and in some places you may encounter
flirtatious behavior.
Flirtatious? That's correct. Flirt.com
is out with a study that suggests Provo is the most ‘flirty’ city
in the U.S. The website set out to discover is political persuasion
related to degree of flirtatiousness. The preconception was that
liberal-leaning people would be more flirtatiousness, but that proved
to be incorrect. Provo consistently ranks as one of the most
conservative cities in the country. The website had this to say:
“Given the
conservative nature of most people in Provo, it is ironic how
flirtatious and forward students often are when it comes to dating,”
he said. “I believe this stems from people feeling more comfortable
and confident because they know those around them have similar
backgrounds and share commonalities.”
The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index
reveals measures many factors that contribute to well being. The
latest data was evaluated and compiled into a "Happiest
States" list, with Utah coming in at number 4. The study's
ranking of the 10 happiest states is given below.
Hawaii: 70.2
North Dakota: 70.0
Minnesota: 69.2
Utah: 69.0
Alaska: 69.0
Colorado: 68.4
Kansas: 68.4
Nebraska: 68.3
New Hampshire: 68.2
Montana: 68.0
Many factors go into the mix, including
Utahns healthy lifestyle, our beautiful natural surroundings and our
abundant recreational opportunities.
Happy and flirtatious. Not bad. Come
enjoy the fun.
Dead Sea Scrolls, 600 Artifacts Be Exhibited At The Leonardo
People in Utah will have a rare
opportunity to see some of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other artifacts
from ancient Israel, when a major exhibit comes to The Leonardo
museum in Salt Lake City. The
exact dates of the exhibit have not been announced but it will be
sometime in the fall.
Scholars from Brigham
Young University have been involved in the effort to translate
the scrolls, and discover when they were written. Information about
BYU's involvement will be showcased along with the artifacts.
KSL has this
report about the exhibit. Below are excerpts:
Wednesday, The
Leonardo museum announced that they would be showcasing 20 scrolls,
including the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible, alongside
about 600 artifacts from ancient Israel. They will display only 10
scrolls at one time.
Included in the
exhibit will be portions of Genesis, Psalms, Exodus, Isaiah...
"It is a high
compliment from Israel that Utah residents and visitors will be one
of the few places in the country that will have the privilege of
seeing the Dead Sea Scroll exhibition," Governor Gary R. Hebert
said Wednesday. "The scrolls and the 600 other artifacts coming
to Utah along with a several ton section of the temple mount 'wailing
wall' will give many people a chance to experience a unique part of
world history they might not have otherwise."
Attend The Ultimate Outdoor Expo This Weekend In Heber
The Ultimate
Outdoor Expo should be a fun extravaganza for the entire family,
with plenty of opportunities for hands-on experiences enjoying and
learning about recreational activities, lifestyle and adventure.
The expo will be held in Heber
City at the Wasatch County Events Center. The Heber Valley
website has maps
and directions.
Friday, April 19: 12 - 8 pm Saturday, April 20: 10 am - 8 pm Sunday, April 21: 10 am - 5 pm
Scheduled events include:
ATV & Power Sport Test Track
sponsored by Swire/Coca-Cola
Archery Range sponsored by The
DWR, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and The Utah Bowman's
Association
Gun Range Clay Shooting at Big
Hollow Gun Range by The Mule Deer Foundation, UT Chukar Foundation,
Safari Club International
Fishing Pond for kids with
instruction sponsored by The DWR & Wasatch State Park
Gun / Hunting Safety Training &
Anti Poaching Trailer sponsored by The DWR
Hunting Dog Trials Competition
sponsored by Green Valley Kennels
Bird Dog demos, Goose Spread Set
up, Goose Calling Contest sponsored by Ducks Unlimited
Golf equipment testing sponsored
by Superior Golf
Dutch Oven Cooking with Bakin'
Bill sponsored by The International Dutch Oven Society
Wild Game Cooking on Sears Cooking
Stage
Fly Fishing Demo & Tips
Boating Safety activities
sponsored by Utah State Parks Boating Program & The Coast Guard
Aux
Geo-Cache pre-show and on site
sponsored by Utah State Parks Dept
Mock Pheasant Hunt sponsored by
Greater Salt Lake Pheasants Forever
Air Gun Range and Hunter Safety
Trailer sponsored by The National Wild Turkey Federation
Small Game Guzzler Display
sponsored by Utah Chukar Foundation
Falconry Demonstration sponsored
by The Falconry Club of Utah
Salt Lake Marathon Will Take Place Saturday, April 20
Our hearts go out to the people
affected by the bombings at the Boston Marathon. To the people from
all around the world who were running in the race. To the staff and
volunteers, and to the spectators. We're all affected by these
senseless tragedies, to a greater or lesser extent.
The Salt Lake Marathon will go forward
as planned on Saturday, April 20, albeit with heightened security.
We must all press forward...
The local event is a qualifying race
for the Boston Marathon. We're proud of that affiliation.
The Salt Lake Marathon will bring
crowds to Salt Lake City and
will disrupt traffic in some areas. The Marathon provided this course
description:
Runners of all
ages and ability levels will enjoy crisp, cool running weather in
April, in a setting that surrounds them with snow-capped peaks
contrasting with spring blossoms, all along a flat and slightly
downhill course. The Marathon, Half marathon, and Bike Tour all start
at the Olympic Legacy Bridge at the University of Utah, the site of
the 2002 Winter Olympic Athlete Village. The gentle course then
skirts the base of the towering Wasatch Mountains, passes by cozy
neighborhoods and elegant estates, and winds through Salt Lake’s
legendary wide streets, finishing in beautiful Liberty Park!
Shuttles will provide transportation from Liberty Park to TRAX after
the race.
The Marathon
website provides details about the race, and related events. The
video below was provided by USEntertainmentGroup.
Arches Celebrates Birthday, Named Family-Friendly Park
Arches
National Park celebrates its birthday today. The iconic
landscape found within the park was originally designated as a
National Monument on April 12, 1929. It was redesignated as a
National Park on November 12, 1971.
Arches is named as one of the top 10
national parks for families in a new ranking by
familyvacationcritic.com.
Bryce Canyon
also makes that top 10 list. Here is the full list:
10 Best National Parks for Families
Yosemite National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Arches National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Voyageurs National Park
Shenandoah National Park
Acadia National Park
Remember, entrance fees at US National
Park properties will be waived during National
Park Week, April 22-26.
New Advanced Bike Trail
In other news from the Moab area, the
new Captain Ahab bike trail is winning fans. Pinkbike.com has this
fun review of the trail.
Captain Ahab is a
classic new-school Moab trail being about views, contours,
rock-benched singletrack and exquisite route-finding. As a trail
builder and a rider I was probably even more stoked about the
building part of the video than the riding; giggling like a kid when
I saw the trail crew pry out 600 pound sandstone rocks. I knew I had
to find out more about Captain Ahab so caught up with Tyson who gave
me a run-down on how the trail came to be.
This video by Tyson Swasey (Poison
Spider Bike Shop) captures the excitement of the trail.
Slide Occurs At Kennecott; Visit Center Closed Indefinitely
Ravell Call, Deseret News
A massive slide occurred today at the
Kennecott open
pit mine in the mountains southwest of Salt
Lake City. The company had been monitoring ground movement and
anticipated the slide. No one was injured.
The mine is enormous – it is one of
the largest man made holes on earth. It has been in operation for
more than 109 years and is one of Utah's largest employers. Copper is
the main product but many other minerals are
also recovered.
The view into the mine from the rim is
impressive. A visitor center on the rim has welcomed Utahns and
tourists alike for many year. The visitor center has provided
detailed information about the mine, its history, and how the company
is working to be a responsible community partner and land steward.
The visitor center is normally open
from April through October. A small entrance fee has
been charged, with all proceeds going toward charitable work.
When officials detected the land
movement they decided not to open the visitor center at all this
season. That proved to be a wise decision. Had there been people at
the visitor center today they would have been in danger.
The Deseret News has this
article about the slide. It is illustrated with 36 amazing photos
that show the mine and the huge ground movement.
Officials say they are working to have
some kind of visitor facility available for 2014.
Getting to and from Salt LakeInternational Airport will become easier as of this weekend, when the
Utah Transit Authority officially launches the new Airport TRAX light
rail line.
The line will have convenient stops in
downtown Salt Lake City, along North Temple and at the airport. The
airport stop will be within easy walking distance of both terminals.
This means that travelers will be able
to use public transportation to easily get from the airport to downtown hotels, or to stops where
they can catch buses up to our ski resorts.
Airport TRAX Grand Opening Festivities April 13, 2013Come
join UTA as we open the Airport TRAX line with music, food and fun.
Donate a can of food to ride the new line anywhere between Arena Station
and the new Airport Station. All food donations will all benefit the
Utah Food Bank.
Food is Your Fare10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
All stations
Donate a can of food at the bins located near the stations to ride the new Airport Line before it opens.
Community Celebrations10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All stations except for Arena
Join
with UTA, Salt Lake City and the North Temple community as we celebrate
the opening of the line. Each station location will have music, food
and fun activities. Make sure to pick-up your commemorative Airport Line
Passport and get it stamped at all the stations for the chance to win
great prizes. Different local food vendors will be sampling their wares,
and a wide variety of local musicians will be performing all day. The
Utah State Fair Park will also be hosting a mini-Fair, so come check out
the inflatable slide, a petting zoo and more.
Grand Opening Ceremony2 p.m.
North Temple Bridge Station
The
governor and members of Utah’s congressional delegation will join with
UTA and other local elected officials to kick-off the highly anticipated
service to Salt Lake City International Airport.
The
Airport Line will begin revenue service on Sunday, April 14 as part of
UTA’s Green Line, which will offer service between West Valley City and
the airport. Riders wanting to travel to the airport can transfer from
TRAX anywhere between Central Pointe Station (2100 South) and Arena
Station. FrontRunner riders may transfer to the new line at the North
Temple Bridge Station
Many of our resorts are open at this
writing but most will close after April 14. Some will offer skiing on
weekends for several more weeks. Here are projected closing date\:
Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival Runs April 12 – 27
Thanksgiving
Point is a fun destination with a wide assortment of attractions
including:
Extensive Gardens
Children’s Discovery Garden
Farm Country
Museum of Ancient Life
Emporium
Restaurants
Shops
Theaters
It is a great, family-friendly
destination located halfway between Salt
Lake and Provo.
Right now the gardens feature thousands
of tulips in full bloom. The sight is impressive and has spawned an
annual Tulip
Festival. Thanksgiving Point provided the details below.
(Speaking of flowers, wildflowers are
coming on strong right now in the SW Utah deserts around St. George.
The Salt Lake Tribune has this
article about wildflowers in Snow Canyon State Park.)
2013 TULIP FESTIVAL
Welcome spring this April and enjoy all
the colors of the rainbow spread throughout nearly 100 different
varieties of tulips during the annual Thanksgiving Point Tulip
Festival. Featuring 250,000 tulips spread throughout the 55-acre
Thanksgiving Point Gardens, the Tulip Festival is an awe-inspiring
sight that is redesigned each year to create a new display.
In addition to the spectacular tulips,
on Fridays and Saturdays the Tulip Festival includes music, vendors,
and food. Garden tours and demonstrations run every day. And though
there are hundreds of volunteers and staff working behind the scenes
to create the festival, make no mistake about it: Mother Nature is in
charge of the show. Regular Garden admission fees apply, free
admission for Thanksgiving Point members
When
April 12 - 27, 2013 (closed Sundays)
10 am - 8 pm
Where
Thanksgiving Point Gardens
Take I-15 to exit #284 (Timpanogos Hwy
or SR92) in Lehi and proceed west on Clubhouse Drive. Cross the
bridge and take an immediate right onto Garden Way and proceed to the
Gardens area.
The museum has just completed
construction of a new curatorial facility and is holding an open
house to introduce it to the public. The museum provided this
information:
New Curatorial Facility
Join us Friday, April 12 from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. for a ribbon cutting and open house celebrating the
completion of the new curatorial facility of the Utah Field House of
Natural History Museum.
This is the only time facilities will
be open to the public!
Schedule of Events
Ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.
Free entrance to the museum all day
until 5 p.m.
Hands-on demonstrations, guest speakers
and more.
The curatorial facility is where they
keep fossils, bones and other artifacts that they don't have room to
show in the museum.
Park Manager Steve Sroka says a
humidity and temperature-controlled space helps preserve these
important artifacts for future generations.
More About The Museum
Exposed rock in this area reveals more
geologic time than you will see in the Grand Canyon. Within an
80-mile radius of Vernal, evidence of much of Earth's history is
visible. The Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum is
a 22,000-square foot structure built to preserve and reveal the
wealth of prehistory found within Utah's Uinta Basin.
Outside the museum, and providing the
greatest appeal to passing visitors, is the Dinosaur Garden, a
prehistoric zoo of full-size replicas ranging in age from
Pennsylvanian through Pleistocene. The garden includes a 20-foot
Tyrannosaurus with six-inch, knife-like teeth, a horned Triceratops,
six-ton Stegosaurus, winged Pteranodon and other full-size
prehistoric animal replicas.
The semi-annual conference is a major
event and will cause traffic congestion in the downtown area. Parking
will be difficult to find. Public
transportation will run on an expanded schedule to help shuttle
people into and out of the downtown area.
Three sessions will be held on
Saturday, beginning at 10 am, 2 pm and 6 pm. Two sessions will be
held on Sunday, beginning at 10 am and 2 pm. Sessions run for 2
hours.
Members of the public are invited to
attend. Since seats are in high demand, a free ticket system has been
implemented and tickets are hard to come by.
Conference sessions are held in
the Conference Center, across from Temple Square. Sound from the
sessions is piped to Temple Square where it can be heard all around the grounds. People who
cannot get tickets to get into the Conference Center often listen to the services
while enjoying the beautiful spring gardens at Temple Square.
Most sessions are broadcast on local TV
and the Sunday morning session is broadcast on many stations around the U.S. and across the world.
The Deseret News has this
article giving more info on General Conference.
National Park Week Is April 22-26; Entrance Fees Waived
From April 22-26 there will be no
entrance fees at U.S. national parks and monuments, and other
properties managed by the National Park Service. Camping, boat
launching and other fees will still be accessed.
The waived fees come during National
Park Week. Many parks will hold special activities during the week.
(Check locally for activities at the parks you plan to visit.) Learn
more about National
Park Week.
To encourage people to enjoy our parks,
the Park Service offers several days when fees are waived across the
entire system, including these 2013 dates:
January 21, Martin Luther King,
Jr. Day
April 22-26, five days during
National Park Week
August 25, National Park Service
Birthday
September 28, National Public
Lands Day
November 9-11, Veterans Day
weekend
As spring progresses, more facilities
are being opened. At the Grand Canyon, the North Rim will open on or
about May 15.
Dinosaur National Monument provided the
news release below:
Spring Brings Expanded Visitor
Services to Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur,
CO - "Now that spring is here, Dinosaur National Monument is
preparing to offer expanded services for visitors, " announced
Monument Superintendent, Mary Risser.
On
the Utah side of the monument, the Quarry Visitor Center is open
daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The visitor center features exhibits,
a film, and a sales outlet for the Intermountain Natural History
Association; it also serves as the departure point for car caravans
to the Quarry Exhibit Hall with its wall of dinosaur fossils.
Caravans leave from the visitor center at scheduled times throughout
the day. Visitors must first stop at the visitor center before
driving to the Quarry. In addition to the fossil wall, the Quarry
Exhibit Hall features exhibits about dinosaurs and other life during
the Jurassic. Beginning on May 18, the shuttle which transports
visitors between the visitor center and exhibit hall, will begin
operations. For more information about seeing the dinosaur fossils,
please visit the monument website or call (435) 781-7700.
The
Split Mountain Group and Green River campgrounds are scheduled to
begin providing water and restrooms starting Friday, April 12. With
the return of water and restroom services, camping fees will be
charged. For the Green River Campground, the fee is $12.00 per night,
per site. Each site can accommodate up to 8 people. Reservations are
not accepted at this time. The Split Mountain Group Campground has
four group sites. Each site can accommodate up to 25 people
and six vehicles. The fee for Split Mountain is $25.00 per
site, per night. Reservations for the sites at Split
Mountain Group Campground are accepted through the online system
managed by Recreation.gov or
calling 1 (877) 444-6777 (10:00 am - Midnight, Eastern Time). Split
Mountain and Green River Campgrounds are located approximately four
miles east of the Quarry Visitor Center on the Cub Creek road. More
information on the campgrounds is available
atwww.nps.gov/dino/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
Also
on the Utah side of the monument, the Cub Creek Road is a 12-mile
scenic drive beginning near the Quarry Visitor Center. Visitors in
this area can see numerous petroglyph sites, explore the Josie Morris
homestead, look for wildlife, or take a hike on several trails. On
the Colorado side of the monument, the Harpers Corner Road will open
on Friday, April 12 for the season.
The
Harpers Corner Road is a scenic 32-mile one way drive that leaves
U.S. Highway 40 two miles east of Dinosaur, Colorado. "Though
the road is currently closed to vehicular traffic, bicyclists and
hikers may travel on the road," commented Superintendent Risser,
"but should use caution and watch out for any snow removal
equipment." Cycling on the Harpers Corner Road may give visitors
the opportunity to see an array of wildlife, including elk, deer, and
grouse. The Canyon Visitor Center, located at the start of the
Harpers Corner Road, is currently closed, but will open on Saturdays
and Sundays starting April 13 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and daily
beginning on May 24.
While
there are no dinosaur fossils in the Colorado portion of the
monument, overlooks along the road provide sweeping views of the
Uintah Basin and into the canyons of the Green and Yampa Rivers.
Several trails provide a closer look not only at the monument's
scenery and but also its plant and animal life. Dirt roads leading
off the Harpers Corner Drive are not maintained and are usually
impassable when wet. Check at the visitor center before venturing
onto the unpaved roads for road conditions. Visitors venturing into
this portion of the monument should check the forecast prior to their
visit and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
The
Gates of Lodore Campground, located 106 miles north of the Canyon
Visitor Center on the Green River at the head of Lodore Canyon, is
scheduled to begin providing water and restrooms starting May 24.
Once the water is turned on, camping fees of $8.00 per night, per
site will be charged. May 24, is also when water is scheduled to be
turned on at the Echo Park Campground, located 38 miles north of the
Canyon Visitor Center near where the Yampa River meets the Green
River, and at the Deerlodge Park Campground located 53 miles east of
the Canyon Visitor Center on the Yampa River at the head of Yampa
Canyon. Camping fees for both campgrounds are $8.00 per night, per
site.
Entrance
fees for Dinosaur National Monument are as follows: $10 per vehicle,
valid for up to seven days; $5 per person for someone on a motorcycle
or bicycle. Frequent visitors to the monument may want to purchase a
Dinosaur Annual Pass for $20.00, which is great value for those who
come often or bring family and friends when visiting the area. For
more information, visit the fees
and reservation section
of the park website which also includes rates for commercial and
non-commercial groups and how school groups can request anacademic
fee waiver.
Remember
that Dinosaur's weather is unpredictable and can change rapidly.
Visitors should always be prepared for a range of conditions.
Wildlife, like deer, elk and bighorn sheep, may be seen along the
rivers. Please be alert for animals crossing the roads, particularly
at dawn and dusk. For more information on Dinosaur National Monument,
call us at (435) 781-7700. You can also visit us on the web at
www.nps.gov/dino, find us on facebook at
www.facebook.com/DinosaurNationalMonument or follow DinosaurNPS on
twitter.
Matthew Karsten, a travel blogger and
photographer, has this
excellent blog post that includes a great description of The
Narrows in Zion
National Park. The post is illustrated with beautiful photos. He
visited the park in November, when the water was getting chilly.
I'd love to post some of the photos
here but they are copyrighted. So it is well worth your time to click
to the blog and take a look. Here are excerpts from his text:
I’ve been on a
lot of interesting hikes over the years, including wildlife abundant
jungle in Costa Rica and up exploding volcanoes in Guatemala. But
there are plenty of awesome hikes available in the United States too.
By far one of the most unique is the Narrows hike in Utah’s Zion
National Park.
After that it’s
time to get into the water! During autumn months, most people wear
waterproof pants & boots with neoprene socks to help stay warm in
the 40 degree water.
But I’m too
stubborn/cheap to rent extra gear, so I just wore shorts and a pair
of regular hiking shoes. It was a poor decision.
The Narrows hike
in Zion National Park made quite an impression on me. It definitely
ranks up there as one of my favorite hiking trips.
Matthew mentions that The Narrows is
included on National Geographic's list of America's
100 Best Adventures. Actually, several Utah adventures made that
list. Here's the Utah list:
Mesa Verde Set To Begin Selling Tickets For Cliff Dwelling Tours
Mesa Verde Cliff Palace by Dave Webb
Mesa Verde National Park will begin
selling tickets for its popular Cliff Dwelling Tours on April 7. The
park is open year-round but in winter snow restricts access in many
areas. Now the snow is gone and the park is expanding to offer its
full range of opportunities.
The park provided the news release
below.
Mesa Verde
National Park To Sell Tickets For Cliff Dwelling Tours Beginning
April 7
Tickets for tours
of the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park will go on sale
April 7 at the park's new Visitor and Research Center.
The building is
located just off U.S. Highway 160 at the park entrance and is
currently open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Effective April
7, the facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tour tickets may
also be purchased at the Colorado Welcome Center in Cortez.
Extended summer
hours begin on May 24.
The Far View
Visitor Center, located at milepost 15 on the park road, is now
closed to the public. All visitors should stop at the new Visitor and
Research Center as they enter the park to obtain park information and
purchase tickets for the ranger-guided tours.
Ranger-guided
tours of Cliff Palace begin on April 7, with tours offered hourly
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On April 21, Balcony House opens to the public
for four tours daily, offered at 9:30 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 3:30
p.m.
Student-oriented
tours of Balcony House for school groups are available by
reservation: call 970-529-5079 for information. Wetherill Mesa and
Long House open for the season on Friday, May 24; tour tickets are
required for Long House. Spruce Tree House is open daily with no tour
ticket required.
