tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94917362024-03-07T00:24:06.895-07:00Utah Travel HeadlinesCurrent Utah travel related news.Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12730463415220888574noreply@blogger.comBlogger2178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-47422414228738702102014-12-31T20:15:00.001-07:002014-12-31T20:15:13.757-07:00Resolved: 8 Epic Adventures For 2015
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://redrockadventure.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1174" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://redrockadventure.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1177&g2_serialNumber=2" height="400" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://redrockadventure.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1174" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is Sunset Arch in Grand Staircase</span></span></i></a><br />
<a href="http://redrockadventure.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1174" target="_blank"> © Dave Webb</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Happy New Year. We hope 2014 has been a
good year for you, and that 2015 is even better. Hope you fill it
with epic adventures.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This blog is my last one for <a href="http://utah.com/">utah.com</a>.
That company about to launch some new, bigger, better initiatives and
my blog will be discontinued. So, this is my farewell post.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
While you won't see my ramblings here,
I'll still be out there in the backcountry. Maybe I'll meet you on
the trail.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With the economy continuing to improve,
and with gas prices falling, 2015 will be a year to travel, enjoy new
activities and experience wonderful destinations. Where to go? I'm
sure every person's list will be different. Mine will be heavy on
hiking, backpacking, boating and fishing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here's mine, heavy on hiking,
backpacking, boating and fishing. These are adventures I actually
plan to enjoy during the coming months.</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/snowmobile/cedar_mtn.htm">Snowmobile
Cedar Mountain</a>, just north of Zion Park, including some trails
that overlook park backcountry.<br /></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Photo safari to <a href="http://www.utah.com/playgrounds/the_wave.htm">The
Wave</a>. I've been there once and had a great time. I'd like to
shoot it again, now that I'm a better photographer.<br /></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Backpack Coyote Gulch, in Grand
Staircase-Escalante. I've done many hikes in that area but have not
yet done this epic multi-day trek.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Explore and fish the San Juan arm
of <a href="http://www.utah.com/lakepowell/">Lake Powell</a>. I've
ventured into the upper and lower reaches of that arm, but there are
many canyon's I've yet to explore. Often, the best fishing on the
lake is up that direction.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Explore Chaco, Canyon de Chelly
and other ancient Native American centers just across the border,
along with more the remote ruins in Utah.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Find golden trout in the Uinta
Mountains. The elusive little fish have been re-introduced into the
Uintas and they are doing well.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Canyoneer <a href="http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/zion/subway.htm">Zion's
Subway</a> again. It is one of my all time favorites and I have a
few more people I'd like to take there.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Photo safari to Yosemite. I love
photographing waterfalls and I've heard that park has some
dandy's...</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'll work in minor adventures between
these epic trips. While I won't be reporting them here, I'll still be
<a href="http://redrockadventure.com/">posting stuff online</a>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
– Dave Webb</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-7418461644926799632014-12-30T22:54:00.000-07:002015-01-01T21:39:42.300-07:00How To Do Sundance This Season (Jan 22-Feb 2)<div style="float: right; margin: 8px; width: 450px;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/d3e3pSY4EYM" width="450"></iframe>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Highlights from last year.</i></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's not too late! You can still
participate in <a href="http://utah.com/parkcity/sundance.htm">Sundance
Film Festival</a> events this season if you act now. But you'll need
to <a href="https://utah.com/lodging/saltlakecity.htm">book lodging</a>
immediately and make plans on how to get the most out of your time
there.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The festival website has complete
details about “<a href="http://www.sundance.org/festivals/sundance-film-festival/attend" target="_blank">how
to do Sundance</a>.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/lodging/parkcity.htm">Lodging</a>
in <a href="http://utah.com/parkcity/">Park City</a> sells out fast
but there are always options available in <a href="http://utah.com/saltlake/">Salt
Lake City</a> and nearby communities. The festival is centered in
Park City, but many events are held in SLC and some at other venues.
It is an easy drive (or bus ride) from SLC to PC.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Plan ahead and learn the best ways to
<a href="http://www.sundance.org/festivals/sundance-film-festival/attend#getaround" target="_blank">get
to festival venues</a>. Use public transportation as much as possible
during the festival. Many roads will be closed or jammed and so it is
difficult to drive to venues. Winter weather also causes traffic
concerns. Buses and shuttles can take you almost everywhere you will
want to go.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Bring Your Skis</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You come to see film screening. Ok,
most people come to try to see celebrities. But the festival events
are exciting too. Many events are still open and you can get in, if
you work at it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But don't forget to <a href="https://utah.com/ski/resorts/">bring
your skis</a>. People often assume the slopes will be overrun during
the festival, with some many people in town, but the opposite is
true. Most people are in town to party and so there is plenty of room
on the slopes.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-57233233937790284722014-12-29T20:31:00.001-07:002014-12-29T20:31:58.098-07:00Utah's Biggest, Baddest New Year's Celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS_G1Y831FdO7jf8E6iMJsucgwjZwQJQBTWQQaLemgZ2DA-7IJOJtckU8JKw4buqHVbhQucD6Xe5TpwIFpDHHN96bF0VQYIKBl86vGn69nAjt7I_nki5ouCIX53sxKCqjKl7uWQ/s1600/eve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS_G1Y831FdO7jf8E6iMJsucgwjZwQJQBTWQQaLemgZ2DA-7IJOJtckU8JKw4buqHVbhQucD6Xe5TpwIFpDHHN96bF0VQYIKBl86vGn69nAjt7I_nki5ouCIX53sxKCqjKl7uWQ/s1600/eve.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/saltlake/">Salt
Lake City</a> hosts a big year end bash, called EVE, which includes
many activities leading up to New Year's Eve, and then fabulous
events at multiple venues Wednesday night. See complete <a href="http://eveslc.com/" target="_blank">details
here</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Celebrations will be held at all of our
<a href="http://utah.com/ski/resorts/">ski resorts</a>, with multiple
activities in <a href="http://utah.com/parkcity/">Park City</a>.
Inquire locally for events held in other areas around Utah.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salt Lake's EVE celebration offers
something for everyone. Family-friendly events will be staged at
Temple Square and other downtown area. The Deseret News has <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865618503/Temple-Square-hosts-New-Years-EVE-events.html?pg=all" target="_blank">this
article</a> about Temple Square events.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our friends at the Salt Lake Tribune
have <a href="http://www.sltrib.com/entertainment/1981541-155/here-are-9-ways-that-grown-ups" target="_blank">this
article</a> offering info for people who want a grown up celebration.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
KSL.com reports that EVE will feature
the <a href="http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=32903722" target="_blank">largest
disco ball in the US</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Some, but not all, events will be free.
There will be music from various genres, plenty of food and drink
(family-friendly and adult), plus dancing, art exhibits and
activities, games, fireworks and other events.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hope you can join the fun.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-6749124964829206052014-12-26T19:25:00.000-07:002014-12-26T19:25:22.863-07:00'Monster Dump' Brings Fabulous Skiing To Utah Resorts
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B5ze-1eCAAAXDGA.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B5ze-1eCAAAXDGA.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Night skiing has started at Park City.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A Christmas storm left impressive snow
totals at <span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://utah.com/ski/resorts/">Utah
resorts</a></u></span></span>, creating excellent ski conditions,
with more snow in the forecast. SkiUtah.com tracks snow totals and
provided the numbers below.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here are some 48 hour snow totals:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
34 inches - <a href="http://utah.com/ski/resorts/brian_head.htm">Brian
Head</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
20 inches - <a href="http://utah.com/ski/resorts/snowbird.htm">Snowbird</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
19 inches - <a href="http://utah.com/ski/resorts/alta.htm">Alta</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The next few weeks will bring the best
skiing of the year.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/ski/resorts/park_city_mountain.htm">Park
City</a> has just opened for <a href="http://parkcitymountain.com/site/blog/authors/andy/keep-the-turns-going-into-the-night#prclt-a3GdvN2e" target="_blank">night
skiing</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Utah claims the “Greatest Snow on
Earth,” and for good reason. <span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://kuer.org/post/scientist-probes-secrets-utahs-famed-powder-snow" target="_blank">This
report</a></u></span></span> talks about the scientific reasons
behind the claim.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Avalanche danger is high in backcountry
areas. A (Developed ski resorts do control work and so danger is
mitigated there.) <a href="http://utahavalanchecenter.org/" target="_blank">Utah
Avalanche Center</a> reports a skier triggered avalanche in Dutch
Draw. It carried and partially buried the skier, but he is
apparently recovering and will be ok.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Meanwhile, the ski industry continues
to buzz about Vail Resort's plan to combine <span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://utah.com/ski/resorts/park_city_mountain.htm">Park
City Mountain Resort</a></u></span></span> and <span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://utah.com/ski/resorts/canyons.htm">Canyons
Resort</a></u></span></span>, creating the biggest ski resort in
America. Forbes has <span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2014/12/16/americas-largest-ski-resort-a-paradigm-shift-coming-to-utah/" target="_blank">this
interesting article</a></u></span></span> about the plan. Below are
excerpts.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Just like
heavyweight boxing, the title of the nation’s largest ski resort
has been hotly fought over, debated, and even split between
contenders. But those days seem to be over, with the Park City
Mountain Resort in Utah ready to assume the undisputed, unified
title.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
...A $50 million
infrastructure project will physically connect Canyons Resort in Park
City – currently Utah’s largest – with nearby Park City
Mountain Resort (PCMR), which Vail just acquired two months ago.
Pending town approvals, the project is slated to start quickly and be
completed by next season, immediately creating a snow-covered
behemoth spanning more than 7,300-acres, three to four times the size
of world class destination resorts like Snowbird, Steamboat or Copper
Mountain.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-38650947500813481622014-12-24T18:49:00.002-07:002014-12-24T18:49:45.142-07:00Merry Christmas From Utah.com
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B5qAVXKIAAAKtja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B5qAVXKIAAAKtja.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our friends at <a href="http://skiutah.com/">skiutah.com</a> posted this fun image.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, and
that outcome is guaranteed. A major winter storm is bearing down on
Utah and will dump heavy snow over most of the state. If you are
traveling, take care. If you are skiing, just enjoy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
DeseretNews.com has this great article
on what to do in Utah on Christmas Day:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865618448/What-to-do-after-the-presents-are-opened-Here-are-some-options-for-Christmas-Day-activities.html" target="_blank">What
to do after the presents are opened? Here are some options for
Christmas Day activities</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our <a href="http://utah.com/ski/resorts/">ski
resorts</a> are open, of course, and you may just bump into Santa and
Mrs. Claus.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our <a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/">national
parks</a> and most <a href="http://utah.com/stateparks/">state parks</a>
are open, and are very beautiful when snow covered. (<a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/zion.htm">Zion</a>
may even get glazed by this storm.)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you venture into the backcountry, be
aware that <a href="http://utahavalanchecenter.org/">avalanche danger</a>
will be high on most slopes. Take care.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Christmas Eve, I enjoy walking
through downtown <a href="http://utah.com/saltlake/">Salt Lake City</a>.
<a href="http://utah.com/mormon/temple_square.htm">Temple Square</a>
is aglow with multicolored lights. The square is filled with bustling
crowds, and Christmas carols fill the air. It is very beautiful and
worth a visit.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Away from Temple Square, many <a href="http://utah.com/saltlake/bars_clubs.htm">clubs</a>
are open and are full of cheerful people.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As I keep going, and the hour grows
later, the sidewalks become deserted and a wonderful silence settles
over the city. Snow begins to fall, the flakes sparkling as they
dance in front of street lights. The snow adds to my feeling of
serenity. At this moment, in this place, with silent snow blanketing
the city, it is possible for me to believe that some day we may
figure out how to create peace on earth.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- Dave Webb</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-51096217321577268522014-12-23T19:00:00.002-07:002014-12-23T19:00:49.314-07:00Battle Plan For Visting Arches National Park<div style="float: right; margin: 6px; width: 450px;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/y92LBiu16TI" width="450"></iframe></div>
<a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/arches.htm" target="_blank">Arches National Park</a> is a geological wonderland and its popularity has grown to the point that parking is often a problem. The park is exploring various options to reduce congestion at key trailheads and parking areas. Meanwhile, there are many things visitors can do to minimize problems and ensure a wonderful experience when visiting the park.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://utah.com/utah_logs/thing_link_log.php?log=http://www.discovermoab.com/utah" target="_blank">The Moab Area Travel Council</a> provided these tips:<br />
<br />
<b>Arches National Park</b><br />
Visitation grows in Arches National Park. Here are some useful tips to circumvent peak uses of The Windows Section, Devil's Garden, and the trail head parking lot for hiking to the iconic Delicate Arch.<br />
<br />
<b>Planning Your Trip</b><br />
• Park is open 24/7. Use Sunrise/Sunset table to plan visits outside of 10 am to 4 pm peak hours.<br />
• Early morning (sunrise) is always less busy than sunset. To beat the crowds, try entering the park before 8 a.m., though you may encounter groups of early-morning photographers at some destinations.<br />
• Avoid visiting on BUSY Holidays/Weekends. <br />
• Parking for oversize vehicles (RVs, trailers) is extremely limited. Leave oversized vehicles in town, or in the visitor center parking lot. Rent a car.<br />
• Carpool if you can.<br />
• Consider joining a tour for an Arches Park visit.<br />
<br />
<b>Where (and how) to Park</b><br />
• Park in designated areas only.<br />
• Abstain from parking on vegetation<br />
• Park to keep traffic flow clear<br />
• Refrain from blocking traffic waiting to park<br />
<br />
<b>BUSY Holidays/Weekends</b><br />
• Easter week (March 27-April 5 2015)<br />
• Memorial Day (May 23-25 2015) <br />
• Labor Day (September 4-7 2015)<br />
• Utah Education Assoc. (October 15-18 2015)<br />
<br />
<b>Arches Park Tour Guides</b><br />
• <a href="http://www.adrift.net/daily.html" target="_blank">Adrift Adventures </a><br />
• <a href="http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/trips/national-park/" target="_blank">Moab Adventure Center </a><br />
• <a href="http://navtec.com/national-park-tours.html" target="_blank">Navtec Expeditions </a><br />
• <a href="http://redriveradventures.com/" target="_blank">Red River Adventures </a><br />
• <a href="http://www.tagalong.com/index.php?page=arches" target="_blank">Tag-A-Long Expeditions</a><br />
• <a href="http://windgateadventures.com/fiery-furnace/" target="_blank">Windgate Adventures </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm" target="_blank"><b>National Park Fee Free Days</b></a><br />
Arches and Canyonlands are free to enter on the following dates.<br />
• January 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)<br />
• February 14-16 (Presidents Day weekend)<br />
• April 18-19 (National Park Week intro)<br />
• August 25 (NPS Birthday)<br />
• September 26 (National Public Lands Day)<br />
• November 11 (Veterans Day)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-85645473410564671722014-12-22T20:38:00.003-07:002014-12-22T20:38:57.480-07:00Behind The Scenes At The World's Best Ski Hotel<div style="float: right; margin: 6px; width: 430px;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6fARftZIlyk" width="420"></iframe></div>
Lee Benson has this interesting column
in the Deseret News:
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865618225/Theyre-best-in-the-world.html" target="_blank">About
Utah: They're best in the world</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the article he takes an intimate
look at <a href="http://utah.com/ski/resorts/deer_valley.htm">Deer
Valley's</a> Stein Eriksen Lodge, which was recently named the best
ski hotel in the world. Below are excerpts.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Last month, Russ
Olsen and his wife, Debi, found themselves in Kitzbuhel, Austria, at
the World Ski Awards, aka The Ski Oscars, so Russ could receive, on
behalf of Stein Eriksen Lodge, the hotel he manages in Park City, the
trophy for best ski hotel in the United States.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
That wasn’t
totally unexpected. The winners from each country had been tipped off
in advance. It was why Russ and Debi were there.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
The totally
unexpected part came next, when they announced the world’s best ski
hotel.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Ela Clark, the
British actress who was hosting the show, did the honors, ripping
open the envelope and reading … “Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City,
Utah.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Some 1 million
votes were cast to determine the world’s best ski hotel, they told
Russ. The ballots were sent worldwide to people involved in the ski,
travel and tourism industry, including international travelers,
booking agents, hoteliers, suppliers and other ski world
connoisseurs. SEL’s win was no fluke. A lot of people had to vote
for it to make it No. 1.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Russ knows the
history well. He came to Stein Eriksen Lodge in 1986, just two years
after it opened next door to the ski runs at Deer Valley resort,
which had also just barely opened, boasting the great Norwegian ski
champion Stein Eriksen as its director of skiing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Stein wasn’t the
hotel’s owner, but he helped with the design, he brought in his
Olympic medals to display in the lobby, he sold the lodge the rights
to his name, and as hotel ambassador he was given free run of the
place in perpetuity. At 87, he still visits his lodge on a regular
basis.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
“I was shocked
when they called our name,” he (Russ) says, “still am. Who
expects that?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Well, other than
Stein Eriksen himself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
“He is our
biggest fan,” says Russ. “I remember a day in March a few years
ago. It was a beautiful sunny day and Stein came into the hotel after
an afternoon of skiing. We were sitting in lounge chairs on the deck,
staring at the sun as it was starting to set on the mountain. He said
to me, ‘Russ, if we died and went to heaven, it would be a
demotion.’ ”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
And that was
before getting to place the best hotel in the ski world trophy next
to Stein’s 1952 Olympic gold medal.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-61096197811189592552014-12-19T20:26:00.004-07:002014-12-19T20:26:51.838-07:00Why Utah is America's Real-Life Jurassic Park
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://redrockadventure.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3866&g2_serialNumber=2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://redrockadventure.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3866&g2_serialNumber=2" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cleveland-Lloyd is a working quarry, where you <br />can sometimes watch paleontologists in action.</i><br /><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2000007629395px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">© Dave Webb</span></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've pulled the title for this post
from <a href="http://travelwithkids.about.com/od/utah/fl/Why-Utah-is-Americas-Real-Life-Jurassic-Park-for-Dinosaur-Hunters.htm" target="_blank">this
interesting report</a> on TravelWithKids.About.com. It talks about
many of the great places in Utah where you can <a href="http://utah.com/dinosaur/">see
and learn about dinosaur fossils</a>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Below I give the introduction from the
article. It is worth reading the whole thing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>Exploring North
America's greatest dinosaur graveyard</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
With "Jurassic
World," the fourth installment in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic
Park franchise, set to hit theaters in June 2015, interest in
learning about dinosaurs is on the rise. And there's no place in
North America with a richer dinosaur legacy than Utah.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The article talks about the famous
spots – <a href="http://utah.com/nationalsites/dinosaur.htm">Dinosaur
National Monument</a>, the North American Museum of Ancient Life, the
<a href="http://utah.com/playgrounds/cleveland_lloyd.htm">Cleveland-Lloyd
Quarry</a> and a few others.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'll have to do a tour one of these
days, get photos and report on the new ones. It does not mention The
<a href="http://utah.com/stateparks/field_house.htm">Utah Field House
of Natural History</a>, in <a href="http://utah.com/vernal/">Vernal</a>,
which is a wonderful spot.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So many recent dinosaur discovers have
come out of <a href="http://utah.com/escalante/">Grand
Staircase-Escalante National Monument</a>, and BLM has some of them
displayed at its <a href="http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/grand_staircase-escalante/Recreation/visitor_centers/Big_Water_Visitor_Center.html">Big
Water Visitor Center</a>. I don't know that anyone has done a good
article on that new facility. I'll have to pop down and take some
photos.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A new facility is being built in <a href="http://utah.com/moab/">Moab</a>
to display and protect some of the area's dinosaur tracks, after the
infamous theft of a fossil footprint from a nearby trackway. I'll
watch and report on that facility as it opens.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- Dave Webb</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-43216748706270102642014-12-18T20:46:00.004-07:002014-12-18T20:46:25.422-07:00What Happens When A Cow Gets Stuck In A Spectacular Utah Slot Canyon?
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://redrockadventure.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10443&g2_serialNumber=2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://redrockadventure.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10443&g2_serialNumber=2" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Peak-a-Boo Gulch </span></span></i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2000007629395px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">© Dave Webb</span></span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A cow did in fact get stuck in one of
our most popular slot canyons and, well, the outcome was horrible for
all involved. Especially for the cow.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/1965846-155/dead-cow-clogs-utah-slot-canyon" target="_blank">This
blog at SLTrib.com</a> described a “comedy of errors” that began
when a cow became stuck in Peek-a-Boo Gulch, part of the very popular
<a href="http://utah.com/hike/escalante_river.htm">Peek-a-Boo/Spooky
Gulch loop</a> off <a href="http://utah.com/escalante/boulder_mountain.htm">Hole
in the Rock Road</a> in <a href="http://utah.com/nationalsites/grand_staircase.htm">Grand
Staircase Escalante National Monument</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you planned to go there anytime
soon, don't. Visitation is low in winter but some hardy folks still
hike in the area. Hopefully, by spring the mess will be cleaned up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cattle graze legally throughout much of
the national monument, but are prohibited from Peek-a-Boo and other
nearby canyons. Somehow the cow wandered into the area and became
lodged in a tight spot in the slot.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The rancher was notified and ranch
hands made considerable effort to free the valuable animal. But his
efforts failed. When they decided the animal was hopelessly stuck
they “put it down.” They then “cut off the head and front
quarters,” hoping they could carry out the pieces, but the hind
quarters “remained wedged in a narrow passage.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The ranch hands then “piled wood
under the carcass and lit it in hopes the flames would consume enough
of the cow that it could be pulled out.” That failed and, in the
process, rocks and dirt fell into the canyon and partially covered
the animal.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
National Monument officials are now
trying to decide how to get more of the carcass out. Hopefully, they
will find a way before the next flash flood hits. Such floods move
boulders and could carry the carcass down into the middle of the
canyon.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've hiked Peak-a-Boo many times and it
is easy to see how a cow could get stuck. Area ranchers know they
need to keep their animals away, but mistakes do occur.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I expect it will be cleaned up soon and
hiking conditions will be good come spring.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
– Dave Webb</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-14125475581252749222014-12-17T20:30:00.001-07:002014-12-17T20:30:17.419-07:00Volunteers Needed For Audubon Christmas Bird Count At Lake Powell
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nps.gov/glca/parknews/images/bird-count-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nps.gov/glca/parknews/images/bird-count-2014.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo courtesy Glen Canyon NRA</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/nationalsites/glen_canyon.htm">Glen
Canyon National Recreation Area</a> (which includes <a href="http://utah.com/lakepowell/">Lake
Powell</a>) is seeking volunteers to help with the annual Audubon
bird count on January 5, 2015.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Glen Canyon provided the news release
below:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>Glen Canyon
Recruits Volunteers for 2015 Christmas Bird Count</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Glen Canyon
National Recreation Area is currently recruiting volunteers for the
Audubon Christmas Bird Count on January 5, 2015.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
During this annual
citizen-science event new birders will be paired with more
experienced individuals, making this a great way to learn about the
birds of Glen Canyon.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
The event begins
at 7:30 a.m.and lasts until approximately 4:00 p.m.Volunteers will
meet at park headquarters in Page, Arizona located at 691 Scenic View
Drive (off of Highway 89), to sign in and receive their location
assignments. Volunteers will have the opportunity to survey birds in
a variety of land and water-based locations. Birdwatchers should be
prepared for exposure to winter weather conditions during this
outdoor event. Please bring warm clothing, lunch, water, and birding
equipment such as binoculars and a bird guide book if possible.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Holiday traditions
abound this time of year, and the long-standing tradition of the
Audubon Christmas Bird Count has supported science for 115 years.
Participants offer significant contributions to science and bird
conservation during this global count. Additionally, free
commemorative t-shirts will be provided to volunteers by the Glen
Canyon Natural History Association.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
To learn about the
birds of Glen Canyon, visit
<a href="http://www.nps.gov/glca/naturescience/birds.htm">http://www.nps.gov/glca/naturescience/birds.htm</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Questions about
the annual count may be directed to John Spence at 928-608-6267.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-70349595685048261942014-12-16T22:25:00.001-07:002014-12-16T22:25:12.495-07:00Utah Launches Massive Effort To Stop Wildlife Poaching
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Utah is blessed with abundant wildlife,
and <a href="http://utah.com/wildlife/">wildlife watching</a> is a popular pastime. Winter is a great time to
observe animals because they often congregate at lower elevations
where they are easier to see. If done responsibly, winter wildlife
watching can be enjoyed without negatively impacting the animals.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Unfortunately, some folks aren't
satisfied to observe, photograph or even harvest animals legally
during prescribed <a href="http://utah.com/hunt/">hunting seasons</a>. Poaching and the wanton
destruction of wild animals has long been a problem. Just today KSL
TV carried <a href="http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=32780985&nid=148&title=3-deer-poached-in-san-juan-county" target="_blank">this
report</a> on deer poached in SE Utah.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now, Utah's Division of Wildlife
Resources is launching a massive effort to curb poaching. The agency
provided the news release below.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h2 class="contentheading" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: url(http://wildlife.utah.gov/templates/rt_mynxx/images/main/catbar-bg.png) 0px 100% no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 33.5999984741211px; margin: 0px -14px 14px; orphans: auto; padding: 6px 15px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
DWR launches massive patrol effort</h2>
<div class="subhead" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #6c7471; font-family: georgia, 'times roman', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 1.3em; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Officers need your help</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
This winter is not a good time to try to kill a mule deer illegally in Utah.</div>
<div class="photo-right" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #555555; float: right; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px 3px 0px 15px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; width: 350px; word-spacing: 0px;">
<img alt="DWR officer Josh Carver shows what wildlife officers are trying to stop this winter: the illegal killing of mule deer in Utah." border="1" height="253" src="http://wildlife.utah.gov/images/news/poached_buck_deer.jpg" vspace="3" width="350" /><div class="photo-caption" style="color: #555555; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 5px;">
DWR officer Josh Carver shows what wildlife officers are trying to stop this winter: the illegal killing of mule deer in Utah.</div>
<div class="photo-credit" style="color: #777777; font-size: 10px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 5px;">
Photo by Josh Carver.</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Conservation officers with the Division of Wildlife Resources are focusing massive patrol efforts on ranges on which deer congregate in the winter. Officers are conducting the patrols for one reason: to protect Utah's mule deer from poachers.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Tony Wood, chief of the DWR's Law Enforcement Section, says winter is the time of year when deer congregate on ranges at lower elevations. As large groups of deer bunch together, they provide an enticing target for poachers. But the deers' behavior helps wildlife officers too: it allows officers to zero in on the areas where poaching is most likely to occur.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"If there's an area in Utah that attracts mule deer in the winter," Wood says, "we're watching it."</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Wood encourages you to get involved.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"This winter," he says, "as you travel to areas where deer congregate, make sure 1-800-662-3337 is programmed into your cell phone. That's our Turn-in-a-Poacher hotline number. If you see anything suspicious, call us. The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week."</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b style="font-weight: bold;">Patrol efforts</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Wood says DWR officers are doing the following this winter:</div>
<ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; list-style-image: url(http://wildlife.utah.gov/i/bullet_green.gif); margin-left: 30px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px;">Patrolling winter ranges at night. Officers are conducting these patrols on land and from the air.</li>
<li style="margin: 14px 0px 0px;">Conducting saturation patrols that put several DWR officers on the same piece of winter range at the same time.</li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Wood says winter range patrols are underway across Utah. The patrols will continue until the deer shed their antlers this spring.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b style="font-weight: bold;">Poachers take a big toll</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
So far in 2014, wildlife officers have investigated the illegal killing of 152 mule deer in Utah.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Most of the deer were bucks. The antlers on seven of the bucks were big enough to place the deer in a trophy category.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
"If you're a hunter," Wood says, "you would have been thrilled to take any of these bucks. Poachers took that chance away from you."</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
The monetary value of the animals to Utah's citizens is $114,000.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-68338717000789006142014-12-15T21:08:00.002-07:002014-12-15T21:08:33.052-07:00Locale Magazine: It’s Super Hip to Skip to Salt Lake this Holiday Break<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Locale Magazine serves the Los Angeles,
Orange County and San Diego areas. The magazine has <a href="http://localemagazine.com/salt-lake-winter-season/" target="_blank">this
interesting article</a> on <a href="http://utah.com/saltlake/">Salt
Lake City</a>. It recognizes Salt Lake is a cool <a href="http://utah.com/saltlake/skiing_snowboarding.htm">place
to ski</a>, but says the city offers more than that. Below is the
title, sub-title and then a couple excerpts.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
ESCAPE TO SALT
LAKE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
It’s Super Hip
to Skip to Salt Lake this Holiday Break</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
#SaltLake is
trending—trending in a really big way.
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salt Lake is one of America’s
five new foodie cities</div>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Three of its mountains are in the
2015 Top Ski Resorts—the Snowbird, Alta and Solitude.
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It has also been named the least
stressed city.</div>
</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Furthermore, it is home to the
number one College for Skiers—the University of Utah.
</div>
</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
The inside scoop
on this Utah outpost? Salt Lake has a casual, community vibe, though
it is a healthy, mid-sized metropolis. The stunning Wasatch Mountain
backdrop houses eight world-class resorts in an hour’s drive of
downtown. It seems colonies of artisans from food, wine, and the arts
now call Salt Lake home so they too can enjoy the outdoors and
friendly lifestyle.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
...With a bevy of
direct flights from Orange County, San Diego, and LAX, you can be on
the mountain with a wide grin enjoying the famed Utah powder by
lunch. Be sure to put some of these places in your itinerary the next
time to take a trip to Salt Lake for an unforgettable trip. Enjoy!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The article goes on to talk about where
to stay, where to eat, where to drink and what to do. It is <a href="http://localemagazine.com/salt-lake-winter-season/" target="_blank">worthreading</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-10609460204574261942014-12-12T21:01:00.002-07:002014-12-12T21:01:21.145-07:00Travel & Leisure Names 50 Incredible Places To Travel In 2015
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Travel+Leisure is out with a list of 50
incredible destinations world-wide – places that are “changing
the travel map.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Utah is represented on the list, or
course. But surprise, for our national parks. It's the Wasatch
Mountains and embedded ski resorts that make the list.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Below we give an except from the
article and then a summary list.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
“The world is
getting smaller, but the chances of having an extraordinary new
experience are only increasing. We’ve identified 50 standout
destinations, based on industry news and trends, with input from
contributing writers, A-List travel agents, and our new local
experts. These are the places changing the travel map, whether it’s
an emerging arts hub in Germany or a quiet stretch of sand in the
Caribbean.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here are the first 20 destinations from
the list. (No 1 is the introduction.)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 - Fez, Morocco</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
3 - Catskills, NY</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
4 - Rotterdam, Netherlands</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
5 - Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
6 - Wasatch Mountains, Utah</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: #252525;">“<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
new year brings new restaurants, high-speed chairs, and lifts,
including one that connects Canyons to PCMR, making it the largest
ski resort in the U.S. And the industry is buzzing over a proposal
that seems headed for approval called One Wasatch, which would link
all seven ski areas in a European-style mega-network spanning 18,000
acres and 100 lifts. The project will have major tourism
implications, introducing a new flock of riders to what locals
proudly declare on their car license plates: </span></span></span></span></span><em><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">the
greatest snow on earth</span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
7 - Istanbul</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
8 - Chengdu, China</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
9 - Milan</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
10 - Prince Edward County, Canada</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
11 - Oman</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
12 - Mekong River Region</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
13 - Valletta, Malta</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
14 - Chile</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
15 - Tanzania</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
16 - Houston</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
17 - Western Ireland</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
18 - Leipzig, Germany</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
19 - Mozambique</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
20 – Cuba</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
21 - Nicaragua</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-64371889469895300392014-12-11T20:10:00.005-07:002014-12-11T20:10:48.220-07:00Skiing Through An Avalanche<div style="float: right; margin: 6px; text-align: center; width: 450px;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6KHNv7GrfIQ" width="450"><br /><br />
Eric Hjorleifson sets off an avalanche on a big mountain pillow line and skis through it.
</iframe>
<i>Eric Hjorleifson sets off an avalanche on a big mountain pillow line <br />and attempts to ski through it.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Every winter people die in avalanches
in Utah. Most victims are <a href="http://utah.com/ski/">skiing</a> or <a href="http://utah.com/snowmobile/">snowmobiling</a> in backcountry
areas. Avalanche control work is done regularly at developed <a href="http://utah.com/ski/resorts/">skiresorts</a> and along highways and so those areas are safe. People
venturing away from these areas need to be knowledgeable about risks
and follow safety procedures.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The video at right shows skier Eric
Hjorleifson actually skiing through an avalanche. Hjorleifson
survived. Sometimes others don't. This is serious stuff.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Be aware of current conditions if you
are heading into the mountains. The <a href="http://utahavalanchecenter.org/" target="_blank">Utah
Avalanche Cente</a>r provides excellent general information and
specific forecasts. Study the info there.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you are new to backcountry winter
sports, take a class. Go with a guide. Learn about dangers. Acquire
proper equipment and learn to use it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Snow sports can be incredible
enjoyable. Many times families enjoy these activities together. They
can be relatively safe if you use common sense.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hope to see you in the backcountry.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay safe and warm.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
– Dave Webb</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-56120670052274502832014-12-10T20:25:00.001-07:002014-12-10T20:25:14.690-07:00Four Season Travel Guide To Bryce Canyon National Park<div style="float: right; margin: 6px; width: 450px;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8ISb5FZ9fC4" width="450"></iframe></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Visitors often describe the <a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/bryce.htm">Bryce
Canyon</a> scenery as some of the most impressive on earth, and it
only gets better during winter. The pink hoodoos are stunning when
dusted with white. The pine trees on the amphitheater rim are
gorgeous when flocked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
matadornetwork.com has <a href="http://matadornetwork.com/trips/travel-guide-bryce-canyon-national-park-utah/?utm_content=bufferc11d9&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">this
interesting article</a> giving detailed info on Bryce Canyon, with
tips for each season. Beautiful photos illustrate the article. Below
are excerpts.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(The <a href="http://www.rubysinn.com/bryce-canyon-winter-festival.html" target="_blank">Bryce
Canyon Winter Festival</a> is held annual over President's Day
weekend - February 14-16, 2015.)
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Excerpts from the article:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
T’S LIKELY
YOU’VE SEEN PHOTOS of the bright, colorful hoodoos of Bryce Canyon
National Park — those ancient rock spires shooting up hundreds of
feet toward the sky — but there’s no substitute for walking among
them...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Bryce Canyon is
open to visitors 24/7, every day of the year. Its Visitor Center —
where you can obtain park information and backcountry permits, view
exhibits and a film, browse / purchase books and maps, and clean
yourself up if you’re road tripping and camping — is open daily
except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
The fun doesn’t
stop in winter. With a fresh coating of fine Utah powder, the
landscape takes on a whole new aura, and it’s time to break out the
snowshoes and skis. There are some ranger-led snowshoe hikes in which
gear is provided; you can also bring your own or rent in nearby Bryce
Canyon City (on Highway 63 just north of the park entrance).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The article also gives detailed info on
park trails.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-90313280660678882702014-12-09T21:28:00.001-07:002014-12-09T21:28:06.551-07:00Utah's Best Snowmobile Trails<div style="width:450px; float:right; margin: 6px"><iframe width="450" height="253" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RD9FbqGyjGg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Utah's snowmobile season is now kicking
into gear. Our friends at <a href="http://utah.com/utah_logs/thing_link_log.php?log=http://www.beavercreeklodge.com" target="_blank">Beaver
Creek Lodge</a> are already offering guided trips and others will be
opening up during the next few days.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Beaver Creek is located in the far
northern part of Utah, near Bear Lake and the Utah/Idaho border. That
area was blessed with early snow and so the trails are accessible a
bit earlier than normal. But most of our <a href="http://utah.com/snowmobile/areas.htm">snowmobile
areas</a> open about Christmas time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you are looking for a guided trip or
rental machines, <a href="http://utah.com/snowmobile/">these
businesses</a> will take good care of you. The video is courtesy of
Beaver Creek Lodge and shows some of the fun.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you want to do it yourself, here are
links to info about my favorite trails.</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/snowmobile/logan_canyon.htm">Logan
Canyon area</a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/snowmobile/mirror_lake.htm">Highway
150 in the Uintas</a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/snowmobile/strawberry.htm">Strawberry
area</a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/snowmobile/cedar_mtn.htm">Cedar
Mountain area</a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/snowmobile/east_fork.htm">East
Fork area</a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The trails I mention above are spread
throughout the state. Logan Canyon, as noted, is about as far north
as you can get in Utah. Highway 150, the Mirror Lake Highway, is also
in northern Utah.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Strawberry area is farther south,
approaching the center portion of our state.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cedar Mountain is just east of <a href="http://utah.com/cedarcity/">Cedar
City</a>, in southern Utah. Some of the trails on Cedar Mountain
overlook the <a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/zion.htm">Zion
Park area</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The East For is also in southern Utah,
just west of <a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/bryce.htm">Bryce
Canyon</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Each of these areas is unique and
beautiful in its own way. It's time to get out the sleds.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-18852469004446931912014-12-08T21:22:00.002-07:002014-12-08T21:22:19.827-07:00Two Stunning Balloon Events In Red Rock Country<div style="float: right; margin: 6px; width: 450px;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/a0vuzBKZox8" width="450"></iframe></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Two hot air balloon events will take
place in Utah's red rock country during the next few weeks,
attracting enthusiasts from around the word, and providing amazing
images for spectators. One will be held in <a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/monument_valley.htm">Monument
Valley</a> and the other in nearby <a href="http://utah.com/culture/bluff.htm">Bluff</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Annual Monument Valley Balloon Event</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
December 12-14, 2014</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tribal Park entrance will be closed for
the duration of the morning launch from - 7:00am – 11:00am. If you
plan to attend the Balloon Event you will need to take a shuttle from
the Visitor Center.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There will be morning launches each
day, plus an art contest, Youth Day activities and a Family Fun day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://navajonationparks.org/htm/MVBallonEvent2.html" target="_blank">More
details</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>16th Annual Bluff International
Balloon Festival</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
January 17-19, 2014</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bluff, Utah</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sunrise fly ins will be held in Bluff
on Friday and Saturday, and in Valley of the Gods on Sunday. There
will also be a southwest food cookoff, children's performances and
other events.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://bluffutah.org/16th-annual-bluff-international-balloon-festival-dates/" target="_blank">More
details</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-54781765796405649982014-12-06T00:17:00.002-07:002014-12-06T00:17:32.485-07:005 National Parks in 7 Days
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://redrockadventure.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=778&g2_serialNumber=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://redrockadventure.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=778&g2_serialNumber=1" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hickman Bridge in Capitol Reef NP</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yahoo.com/travel has an interesting
article with this intriguing title:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/travel/5-national-parks-in-7-days-the-ultimate-u-s-road-trip-101370196552.html" target="_blank">5
National Parks in 7 Days: The Ultimate U.S. Road Trip</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With five parks in relative close
proximity, Utah is one of the few places where you can successfully
take such a trip. In fact, if you venture just barely across state
lines, you can take in eight spectacular parks in one trip (<a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/">Utah's
Mighty 5</a> plus <a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/grandcanyon.htm">Grand
Canyon</a>, <a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/greatbasin/greatbasinnationalpark.htm">Great
Basin</a> and <a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/mesaverde.htm">Mesa
Verde</a>).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the yahoo.com article, writer
Christy Karras describes their itinerary and adventures. Below are
excepts. The article has an interesting sidebar where readers vote:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Which Utah national park would be your
first stop?</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Zion 31%</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Arches 26%</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bryce Canyon 23%</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Capitol Reef 11%</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Canyonlands 9%</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here are quotes from the article:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/zion.htm">Zion</a>:
...I’m struck by the sheer scale of everything. We’re surrounded
by vast folded cliffs and mesas horizontally striped in orange, pink,
and white.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
...I’m already wishing we’d carved
out time for a backpacking trip.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/bryce.htm">Bryce</a>:
Zion is a canyon, but Bryce is an amphitheater, a plateau that breaks
off into millions of pink, orange, and white spires, crinkles, and
waves. A road runs its length, with ample pullouts and overlooks.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/capitol_reef.htm">Capitol
Reef</a>: Bill says it’s as if a giant dinosaur is pushing up from
under the surface. Water and wind have shaped the landscape into
ridges, canyons, and spires. You can appreciate this both from afar
and up close via world-class hikes.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/canyonlands.htm">Canyonlands</a>:
Canyonlands is, as much as anything else, a great place to go to feel
lost. Think 127 Hours lost.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I look at the map and have an idea:
Let’s take the Shafer Trail back to Moab! It’s a shortcut!...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/arches.htm">Arches</a>:
Just before sunset on our last full day in Utah, we make the must-do
climb up a sandstone slope to Delicate Arch, the state’s favorite
natural symbol. We tiptoe to the edge of the drop-off directly behind
the 45-foot-tall foot span and peer over the edge. As the sun dips
toward the far horizon, the colors burn and the rock surface seems to
glow behind a small crowd parked here to watch it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It’s been a great week.
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-20245798734650177462014-12-04T19:56:00.003-07:002014-12-04T19:56:31.715-07:00Sundance Institute Announces Films For 2015 Festival<div style="float: right; margin: 6px; width: 430px;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/luB3oOdH2FA" width="420"></iframe></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The annual <a href="http://utah.com/parkcity/sundance.htm">Sundance
Film Festival</a> will be held Jan 22 – Feb 1, in <a href="http://utah.com/parkcity/">Park
City</a>, <a href="http://utah.com/saltlake/">Salt Lake City</a> and
nearby venues. If you want to attend, you need to make arrangements
now for <a href="http://utah.com/lodging/parkcity.htm">lodging</a>
and other activities. See the <a href="http://www.sundance.org/festivals/sundance-film-festival" target="_blank">festival
website</a> for detailed information.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sundance filed this news release
yesterday:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>SUNDANCE INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES FILMS
IN U.S. AND WORLD COMPETITIONS, NEXT <=> FOR 2015 SUNDANCE FILM
FESTIVAL</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Park City, UT — Sundance Institute
announced today the films selected for the U.S. and World Cinema
Dramatic and Documentary Competitions and the out-of-competition NEXT
<=> section of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, January 22 to
February 1 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.
The Festival is the centerpiece of the year-round public programs for
the Institute, which also hosts 24 residency labs and grants more
than $2.5 million to independent artists each year.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Robert Redford, President & Founder
of Sundance Institute, said, "The work of independent artists
inevitably reflects the state of our culture and the times in which
we live. Their stories are often irreverent, challenging, compelling
and unexpected, and not only possess the power to move and hopefully
inspire audiences, but also to speak to our shared humanity."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Keri Putnam, Executive Director of
Sundance Institute, said, "Independent artists are embracing
diverse forms of storytelling – from feature film to New Frontier
to episodic content. In response to their risk-taking spirit, we
continue to evolve our Festival and other programs to seek out the
best ways to support original and inventive storytellers."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
John Cooper, Director of the Sundance
Film Festival, said, "The selections for our 2015 Festival will
take audiences on a wild ride of emotional extremes. With approaches
ranging from comedic to dramatic, genre to documentary, experimental
to short, independent filmmakers are bravely illuminating new
opportunities for understanding and empathy."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For the 2015 Festival, 118
feature-length films were selected, representing 29 countries and 45
first-time filmmakers, including 19 in competition. These films were
selected from 12,166 submissions, including 4,105 feature-length
films and 8,061 short films. Of the feature film submissions, 2,016
were from the U.S. and 2,089 were international. 103 feature films at
the Festival will be world premieres.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In addition to those announced today,
the Festival presents feature-length films in the Spotlight, Park
City at Midnight, New Frontier, Sundance Kids, Premieres and
Documentary Premieres sections. Those announcements, as well as
selections for the Short Film section, a new Special Events section
and offscreen programming, are forthcoming.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This year on Day One, January 22, 2015,
the Festival will feature one of each type of film shown at the
Festival: a U.S. documentary, U.S. dramatic, international
documentary and international dramatic, as well as one shorts
program.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Presenting the world premieres of 16
narrative feature films, the Dramatic Competition offers
Festivalgoers a first look at groundbreaking new voices in American
independent film.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Advantageous / U.S.A. (Director:
Jennifer Phang, Screenwriters: Jacqueline Kim, Jennifer Phang) — In
a near-future city where soaring opulence overshadows economic
hardship, Gwen and her daughter, Jules, do all they can to hold on to
their joy, despite the instability surfacing in their world. Cast:
Jacqueline Kim, James Urbaniak, Freya Adams, Ken Jeong, Jennifer
Ehle, Samantha Kim.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Bronze / U.S.A. (Director: Bryan
Buckley, Screenwriters: Melissa Rauch, Winston Rauch) — In 2004,
Hope Ann Greggory became an American hero after winning the bronze
medal for the women's gymnastics team. Today, she's still living in
her small hometown, washed-up and embittered. Stuck in the past, Hope
must reassess her life when a promising young gymnast threatens her
local celebrity status. Cast: Melissa Rauch, Gary Cole, Thomas
Middleditch, Sebastian Stan, Haley Lu Richardson, Cecily Strong. DAY
ONE FILM</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The D Train / U.S.A. (Directors and
screenwriters: Jarrad Paul, Andrew Mogel) — With his 20th reunion
looming, Dan can't shake his high school insecurities. In a misguided
mission to prove he's changed, Dan rekindles a friendship with the
popular guy from his class and is left scrambling to protect more
than just his reputation when a wild night takes an unexpected turn.
Cast: Jack Black, James Marsden, Kathryn Hahn, Jeffrey Tambor, Mike
White, Kyle Bornheimer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Diary of a Teenage Girl / U.S.A.
(Director and screenwriter: Marielle Heller) — Minnie Goetze is a
15-year-old aspiring comic-book artist, coming of age in the haze of
the 1970s in San Francisco. Insatiably curious about the world around
her, Minnie is a pretty typical teenage girl. Oh, except that she's
sleeping with her mother's boyfriend. Cast: Bel Powley, Alexander
Skarsgård, Christopher Meloni, Kristen Wiig.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dope / U.S.A. (Director and
screenwriter: Rick Famuyiwa) — Malcolm is carefully surviving life
in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles while juggling college
applications, academic interviews, and the SAT. A chance invitation
to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow
him to go from being a geek, to being dope, to ultimately being
himself. Cast: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake
Anderson, Zoë Kravitz, A$AP Rocky.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I Smile Back / U.S.A. (Director: Adam
Salky, Screenwriters: Amy Koppelman, Paige Dylan) — All is not
right in suburbia. Laney Brooks, a wife and mother on the edge, has
stopped taking her meds, substituting recreational drugs and the
wrong men. With the destruction of her family looming, Laney makes a
last, desperate attempt at redemption. Cast: Sarah Silverman, Josh
Charles, Thomas Sadoski, Mia Barron, Terry Kinney, Chris Sarandon.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl / U.S.A.
(Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Screenwriter: Jesse Andrews) — Greg
is coasting through senior year of high school as anonymously as
possible, avoiding social interactions like the plague while secretly
making spirited, bizarre films with Earl, his only friend. But both
his anonymity and friendship threaten to unravel when his mother
forces him to befriend a classmate with leukemia. Cast: Thomas Mann,
RJ Cyler, Olivia Cooke, Nick Offerman, Connie Britton, Molly Shannon.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Overnight / U.S.A. (Director and
screenwriter: Patrick Brice) — In an attempt to acclimate to Los
Angeles, a young couple spends an increasingly bizarre evening with
the parents of their son's new friend. Cast: Adam Scott, Taylor
Schilling, Jason Schwartzman, Judith Godrèche.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
People, Places, Things / U.S.A.
(Director and screenwriter: James C. Strouse) — Will Henry is a
newly single graphic novelist balancing being a parent to his young
twin daughters and teaching a classroom full of college students, all
the while trying to navigate the rich complexities of new love and
letting go of the woman who left him. Cast: Jemaine Clement, Regina
Hall, Stephanie Allynne, Jessica Williams, Gia Gadsby, Aundrea
Gadsby.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Results / U.S.A. (Director and
screenwriter: Andrew Bujalski) — Two mismatched personal trainers'
lives are upended by the actions of a new, wealthy client. Cast: Guy
Pearce, Cobie Smulders, Kevin Corrigan, Giovanni Ribisi, Anthony
Michael Hall, Brooklyn Decker.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Songs My Brothers Taught Me / U.S.A.
(Director and screenwriter: Chloé Zhao) — This complex portrait of
modern-day life on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation explores the
bond between a brother and his younger sister, who find themselves on
separate paths to rediscovering the meaning of home. Cast: John
Reddy, Jashaun St. John, Irene Bedard, Taysha Fuller, Travis Lone
Hill, Eléonore Hendricks.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Stanford Prison Experiment / U.S.A.
(Director: Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Screenwriter: Tim Talbott) — This
film is based on the actual events that took place in 1971 when
Stanford professor Dr. Philip Zimbardo created what became one of the
most shocking and famous social experiments of all time. Cast: Billy
Crudup, Ezra Miller, Michael Angarano, Tye Sheridan, Johnny Simmons,
Olivia Thirlby.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stockholm, Pennsylvania / U.S.A.
(Director and screenwriter: Nikole Beckwith) — A young woman is
returned home to her biological parents after living with her
abductor for 17 years. Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Cynthia Nixon, Jason
Isaacs, David Warshofsky.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Unexpected / U.S.A. (Director: Kris
Swanberg, Screenwriters: Kris Swanberg, Megan Mercier) — When
Samantha Abbott begins her final semester teaching science at a
Chicago high school, she faces some unexpected news: she's pregnant.
Soon after, Samantha learns that one of her favorite students,
Jasmine, has landed in a similar situation. Unexpected follows the
two women as they embark on an unlikely friendship. Cast: Cobie
Smulders, Anders Holm, Gail Bean, Elizabeth McGovern.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Witch / U.S.A., Canada (Director
and screenwriter: Robert Eggers) — New England in the 1630s:
William and Katherine lead a devout Christian life with five
children, homesteading on the edge of an impassable wilderness. When
their newborn son vanishes and crops fail, the family turns on one
another. Beyond their worst fears, a supernatural evil lurks in the
nearby wood. Cast: Anya Taylor Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey
Scrimshaw, Lucas Dawson, Ellie Grainger.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Z for Zachariah / U.S.A. (Director:
Craig Zobel, Screenwriter: Nissar Modi) — In a post-apocalyptic
world, a young woman who believes she is the last human on Earth
meets a dying scientist searching for survivors. Their relationship
becomes tenuous when another survivor appears. As the two men compete
for the woman's affection, their primal urges begin to reveal their
true nature. Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Margot Robbie, Chris Pine.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>U.S. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sixteen world-premiere American
documentaries that illuminate the ideas, people, and events that
shape the present day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
3½ MINUTES / U.S.A. (Director: Marc
Silver) — On November 23, 2012, unarmed 17-year-old Jordan Russell
Davis was shot at a Jacksonville gas station by Michael David Dunn.
3½ MINUTES explores the aftermath of Jordan's tragic death, the
latent and often unseen effects of racism, and the contradictions of
the American criminal justice system.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Being Evel / U.S.A. (Director: Daniel
Junge) — An unprecedented, candid portrait of American icon Robert
"Evel" Knievel and his legacy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Best of Enemies / U.S.A. (Directors:
Morgan Neville, Robert Gordon) — Best of Enemies is a
behind-the-scenes account of the explosive 1968 televised debates
between the liberal Gore Vidal and the conservative William F.
Buckley Jr., and their rancorous disagreements about politics, God,
and sex.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Call Me Lucky / U.S.A. (Director:
Bobcat Goldthwait) — Barry Crimmins was a volatile but brilliant
bar comic who became an honored peace activist and influential
political satirist. Famous comedians and others build a picture of a
man who underwent an incredible transformation.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cartel Land / U.S.A., Mexico (Director:
Matthew Heineman) — In this classic Western set in the 21st
century, vigilantes on both sides of the border fight the vicious
Mexican drug cartels. With unprecedented access, this
character-driven film provokes deep questions about lawlessness, the
breakdown of order, and whether citizens should fight violence with
violence.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
City of Gold / U.S.A. (Director: Laura
Gabbert) — Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Jonathan Gold casts his
light upon a vibrant and growing cultural movement in which he plays
the dual roles of high-low priest and culinary geographer of his
beloved Los Angeles.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Finders Keepers / U.S.A. (Directors:
Bryan Carberry, Clay Tweel) — Recovering addict and amputee John
Wood finds himself in a stranger-than-fiction battle to reclaim his
mummified leg from Southern entrepreneur Shannon Whisnant, who found
it in a grill he bought at an auction and believes it to therefore be
his rightful property.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hot Girls Wanted / U.S.A. (Directors:
Jill Bauer, Ronna Gradus) — Hot Girls Wanted is a first-ever look
at the realities inside the world of the amateur porn industry and
the steady stream of 18- and 19-year-old girls entering into it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
How to Dance in Ohio / U.S.A.
(Director: Alexandra Shiva) — In Columbus, Ohio, a group of
teenagers and young adults on the autism spectrum prepare for an
iconic American rite of passage — a spring formal. They spend 12
weeks practicing their social skills at a local nightclub in
preparation for the dance.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Larry Kramer in Love and Anger / U.S.A.
(Director: Jean Carlomusto) — Author, activist, and playwright
Larry Kramer is one of the most important and controversial figures
in contemporary gay America, a political firebrand who gave voice to
the outrage and grief that inspired gay men and lesbians to fight for
their lives. At 78, this complicated man still commands our
attention.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Meru / U.S.A. (Directors: Jimmy Chin,
E. Chai Vasarhelyi) — Three elite mountain climbers sacrifice
everything but their friendship as they struggle through
heartbreaking loss and nature's harshest elements to attempt the
never-before-completed Shark's Fin on Mount Meru, the most coveted
first ascent in the dangerous game of Himalayan big wall climbing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Racing Extinction / U.S.A. (Director:
Louie Psihoyos) — Academy Award-winner Louie Psihoyos (The Cove)
assembles a unique team to show the world never-before-seen images
that expose issues surrounding endangered species and mass
extinction. Whether infiltrating notorious black markets or exploring
humans' effect on the environment, Racing Extinction will change the
way you see the world.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(T)ERROR / U.S.A. (Directors: Lyric R.
Cabral, David Felix Sutcliffe) — (T)ERROR is the first film to
document on camera a covert counterterrorism sting as it unfolds.
Through the perspective of *******, a 63-year-old Black revolutionary
turned FBI informant, viewers are given an unprecedented glimpse of
the government's counterterrorism tactics, and the murky
justifications behind them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Welcome to Leith / U.S.A. (Directors:
Michael Beach Nichols, Christopher K. Walker) — A white supremacist
attempts to take over a small town in North Dakota.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Western / U.S.A., Mexico (Directors:
Bill Ross, Turner Ross) — For generations, all that distinguished
Eagle Pass, Texas, from Piedras Negras, Mexico, was the Rio Grande.
But when darkness descends upon these harmonious border towns, a
cowboy and lawman face a new reality that threatens their way of
life. Western portrays timeless American figures in the grip of
unforgiving change.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Wolfpack / U.S.A. (Director:
Crystal Moselle) — Six bright teenage brothers have spent their
entire lives locked away from society in a Manhattan housing project.
All they know of the outside is gleaned from the movies they watch
obsessively (and recreate meticulously). Yet as adolescence looms,
they dream of escape, ever more urgently, into the beckoning world.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Twelve films from emerging filmmaking
talents around the world offer fresh perspectives and inventive
styles.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chlorine / Italy (Director: Lamberto
Sanfelice, Screenwriters: Lamberto Sanfelice, Elisa Amoruso) —
Jenny, 17, dreams of becoming a synchronized swimmer. Family events
turn her life upside down and she is forced move to a remote area to
look after her ill father and younger brother. It won't be long
before Jenny starts pursuing her dreams again. Cast: Sara Serraiocco,
Ivan Franek, Giorgio Colangeli, Anatol Sassi, Piera Degli Esposti,
Andrea Vergoni. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chorus / Canada (Director and
screenwriter: François Delisle) — A separated couple meet
again after 10 years when the body of their missing son is found.
Amid the guilt of losing a loved one, they hesitantly move toward
affirmation of life, acceptance of death, and even the possibility of
reconciliation. Cast: Sébastien Ricard, Fanny Mallette, Pierre
Curzi, Genevieve Bujold. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Glassland / Ireland (Director and
screenwriter: Gerard Barrett) — In a desperate attempt to reunite
his broken family, a young taxi driver becomes entangled in the
criminal underworld. Cast: Jack Reynor, Toni Collette, Will Poulter,
Michael Smiley. International Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Homesick / Norway (Director: Anne
Sewitsky, Screenwriters: Ragnhild Tronvoll, Anne Sewitsky) — When
Charlotte, 27, meets her brother Henrik, 35, for the first time, two
people who don't know what a normal family is begin an encounter
without boundaries. How does sibling love manifest itself if you have
never experienced it before? Cast: Ine Marie Wilmann, Simon J.
Berger, Anneke von der Lippe, Silje Storstein, Oddgeir Thune, Kari
Onstad. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ivy / Turkey (Director and
screenwriter: Tolga Karaçelik) — Sarmasik is sailing to Egypt when
the ship's owner goes bankrupt. The crew learns there is a lien on
the ship, and key crew members must stay on board. Ivy is the story
of these six men trapped on the ship for days. Cast: Nadir Sarıbacak,
Özgür Emre Yıldırım, Hakan Karsak, Kadir Çermik, Osman Alkaş,
Seyithan Özdemiroğlu. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Partisan / Australia (Director: Ariel
Kleiman, Screenwriters: Ariel Kleiman, Sarah Cyngler) — Alexander
is like any other kid: playful, curious and naive. He is also a
trained assassin. Raised in a hidden paradise, Alexander has grown up
seeing the world filtered through his father, Gregori. As Alexander
begins to think for himself, creeping fears take shape, and Gregori's
idyllic world unravels. Cast: Vincent Cassel, Jeremy Chabriel,
Florence Mezzara. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
PRINCESS / Israel (Director and
screenwriter: Tali Shalom Ezer) — While her mother is away from
home, 12-year-old Adar's role-playing games with her stepfather move
into dangerous territory. Seeking an escape, Adar finds Alan, an
ethereal boy that accompanies her on a dark journey between reality
and fantasy. Cast: Keren Mor, Shira Haas, Ori Pfeffer, Adar Zohar
Hanetz. International Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Second Mother / Brazil (Director
and screenwriter: Anna Muylaert) — Having left her daughter,
Jessica, to be raised by relatives in the north of Brazil, Val works
as a loving nanny in São Paulo. When Jessica arrives for a visit 13
years later, she confronts her mother's slave-like attitude and
everyone in the house is affected by her unexpected behavior. Cast:
Regina Casé, Michel Joelsas, Camila Márdila, Karine Teles, Lourenço
Mutarelli. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Slow West / New Zealand (Director: John
Maclean, Screenwriters: John Maclean, Michael Lesslie) — Set at the
end of the nineteenth century, 16-year-old Jay Cavendish journeys
across the American frontier in search of the woman he loves. He is
joined by Silas, a mysterious traveler, and hotly pursued by an
outlaw along the way. Cast: Michael Fassbender, Kodi Smit-McPhee,
Rory McCann, Ben Mendelsohn, Brooke Williams, Caren Pistorius. World
Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Strangerland / Australia, Ireland
(Director: Kim Farrant, Screenwriters: Fiona Seres, Michael Kinirons)
— When Catherine and Matthew Parker's two teenage kids disappear
into the remote Australian desert, the couple's relationship is
pushed to the brink as they confront the mystery of their children's
fate. Cast: Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes, Hugo Weaving, Lisa
Flanagan, Meyne Wyatt, Maddison Brown. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Summer of Sangaile / Lithuania,
France, Holland (Director and screenwriter: Alanté Kavaïté) —
Seventeen-year-old Sangaile is fascinated by stunt planes. She meets
a girl her age at the summer aeronautical show, nearby her parents'
lakeside villa. Sangaile allows Auste to discover her most intimate
secret and in the process finds in her teenage love, the only person
that truly encourages her to fly. Cast: Julija Steponaitytė, Aistė
Diržiūtė. World Premiere. DAY ONE FILM</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Umrika / India (Director and
screenwriter: Prashant Nair) — When a young village boy discovers
that his brother, long believed to be in America, has actually gone
missing, he begins to invent letters on his behalf to save their
mother from heartbreak, all the while searching for him. Cast: Suraj
Sharma, Tony Revolori, Smita Tambe, Adil Hussain, Rajesh Tailang,
Prateik Babbar. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Twelve documentaries by some of the
most courageous and extraordinary international filmmakers working
today.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Amina Profile / Canada (Director:
Sophie Deraspe) — During the Arab revolution, a love story between
two women — a Canadian and a Syrian American — turns into an
international sociopolitical thriller spotlighting media excesses and
the thin line between truth and falsehood on the Internet. World
Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Censored Voices / Israel, Germany
(Director: Mor Loushy) — One week after the 1967 Six-Day War,
renowned author Amos Oz and editor Avraham Shapira recorded intimate
conversations with soldiers returning from the battlefield. The
Israeli army censored the recordings, allowing only a fragment of the
conversations to be published. Censored Voices reveals these
recordings for the first time. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Chinese Mayor / China (Director:
Hao Zhou) — Mayor Geng Yanbo is determined to transform the
coal-mining center of Datong, in China's Shanxi province, into a
tourism haven showcasing clean energy. In order to achieve that,
however, he has to relocate 500,000 residences to make way for the
restoration of the ancient city. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chuck Norris vs Communism / United
Kingdom, Romania, Germany (Director: Ilinca Calugareanu) — In 1980s
Romania, thousands of Western films smashed through the Iron Curtain,
opening a window to the free world for those who dared to look. A
black market VHS racketeer and courageous female translator brought
the magic of film to the masses and sowed the seeds of a revolution.
World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dark Horse / United Kingdom (Director:
Louise Osmond) — Dark Horse is the inspirational true story of a
group of friends from a workingman's club who decide to take on the
elite "sport of kings" and breed themselves a racehorse.
World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dreamcatcher / United Kingdom
(Director: Kim Longinotto) — Dreamcatcher takes us into a hidden
world seen through the eyes of one of its survivors, Brenda
Myers-Powell. A former teenage prostitute, Brenda defied the odds to
become a powerful advocate for change in her community. With warmth
and humor, Brenda gives hope to those who have none. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
How to Change the World / United
Kingdom, Canada (Director: Jerry Rothwell) — In 1971, a group of
friends sails into a nuclear test zone, and their protest captures
the world's imagination. Using rare, archival footage that brings
their extraordinary world to life, How to Change the World is the
story of the pioneers who founded Greenpeace and defined the modern
green movement. World Premiere. DAY ONE FILM</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Listen to Me Marlon / United Kingdom
(Director and screenwriter: Stevan Riley, Co-writer: Peter Ettedgui)
— With exclusive access to previously unheard audio archives, this
is the definitive Marlon Brando cinema documentary. Charting his
exceptional career and extraordinary life away from the stage and
screen, the film fully explores the complexities of the man by
telling the story uniquely in Marlon's own voice. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pervert Park / Sweden, Denmark
(Directors: Frida Barkfors, Lasse Barkfors) — Pervert Park follows
the everyday lives of sex offenders in a Florida trailer park as they
struggle to reintegrate into society, and try to understand who they
are and how to break the cycle of sex crimes being committed.
International Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Russian Woodpecker / United Kingdom
(Director: Chad Gracia) — A Ukrainian victim of the Chernobyl
nuclear disaster discovers a dark secret and must decide whether to
risk his life by revealing it, amid growing clouds of revolution and
war. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sembene! / U.S.A., Senegal (Directors:
Samba Gadjigo, Jason Silverman) — In 1952, Ousmane Sembene, a
Senegalese dockworker and fifth-grade dropout, began dreaming an
impossible dream: to become the storyteller for a new Africa. This
true story celebrates how the "father of African cinema,"
against enormous odds, fought a monumental, 50-year-long battle to
give Africans a voice. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Visit / Denmark, Austria, Ireland,
Finland, Norway (Director: Michael Madsen) — "This film
documents an event that has never taken place…" With
unprecedented access to the United Nations' Office for Outer Space
Affairs, leading space scientists and space agencies, The Visit
explores humans' first encounter with alien intelligent life and
thereby humanity itself. "Our scenario begins with the arrival.
Your arrival." World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>NEXT <=></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pure, bold works distinguished by an
innovative, forward-thinking approach to storytelling populate this
program. Digital technology paired with unfettered creativity
promises that the films in this section will shape a "greater"
next wave in American cinema. Presented by Adobe.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bob and the Trees / U.S.A., France
(Director: Diego Ongaro, Screenwriters: Diego Ongaro, Courtney Maum,
Sasha Statman-Weil) — Bob, a 50-year-old logger in rural
Massachusetts with a soft spot for golf and gangsta rap, is
struggling to make ends meet in a changed economy. When his beloved
cow is wounded and a job goes awry, Bob begins to heed the instincts
of his ever-darkening self. Cast: Bob Tarasuk, Matt Gallagher, Polly
MacIntyre, Winthrop Barrett, Nathaniel Gregory. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Christmas, Again / U.S.A. (Director and
screenwriter: Charles Poekel) — A heartbroken Christmas tree
salesman returns to New York, hoping to put the past year behind him.
He spends the season living in a trailer and working the night shift,
until a mysterious woman and some colorful customers rescue him from
self-destruction. Cast: Kentucker Audley, Hannah Gross, Jason
Shelton, Oona Roche. North American Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cronies / U.S.A. (Director and
screenwriter: Michael Larnell) — Twenty-two-year-old Louis doesn't
know whether his childhood friendship with Jack will last beyond
today. Cast: George Sample III, Zurich Buckner, Brian Kowalski. World
Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Entertainment / U.S.A. (Director: Rick
Alverson, Screenwriters: Rick Alverson, Gregg Turkington, Tim
Heidecker) — En route to meeting with his estranged daughter, in an
attempt to revive his dwindling career, a broken, aging comedian
plays a string of dead-end shows in the Mojave Desert. Cast: Gregg
Turkington, John C. Reilly, Tye Sheridan, Michael Cera, Amy Seimetz,
Lotte Verbeek. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
H. / U.S.A., Argentina (Directors and
screenwriters: Rania Attieh, Daniel Garcia) — Two women, each named
Helen, find their lives spinning out of control after a meteor
allegedly explodes over their city of Troy, New York. Cast: Robin
Bartlett, Rebecca Dayan, Will Janowitz, Julian Gamble, Roger
Robinson. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
James White / U.S.A. (Director and
screenwriter: Josh Mond) — A young New Yorker struggles to take
control of his reckless, self-destructive behavior in the face of
momentous family challenges. Cast: Chris Abbott, Cynthia Nixon, Scott
Mescudi, Makenzie Leigh, David Call. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nasty Baby / U.S.A. (Director and
screenwriter: Sebastian Silva) — A gay couple try to have a baby
with the help of their best friend, Polly. The trio navigates the
idea of creating life while confronted by unexpected harassment from
a neighborhood man called The Bishop. As their clashes grow
increasingly aggressive, odds are someone is getting hurt. Cast:
Sebastian Silva, Tunde Adebimpe, Kristin Wiig, Reg E. Cathey, Mark
Margolis, Denis O'Hare. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Strongest Man / U.S.A. (Director
and screenwriter: Kenny Riches) — An anxiety-ridden Cuban man who
fancies himself the strongest man in the world attempts to recover
his most prized possession, a stolen bicycle. On his quest, he finds
and loses much more. Cast: Robert Lorie, Paul Chamberlain, Ashly
Burch, Patrick Fugit, Lisa Banes. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Take Me to the River / U.S.A. (Director
and screenwriter: Matt Sobel) — A naive California teen plans to
remain above the fray at his Nebraskan family reunion, but a strange
encounter places him at the center of a long-buried family secret.
Cast: Logan Miller, Robin Weigert, Josh Hamilton, Richard Schiff,
Ursula Parker, Azura Skye. World Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tangerine / U.S.A. (Director: Sean
Baker, Screenwriters: Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch) — A working girl
tears through Tinseltown on Christmas Eve searching for the pimp who
broke her heart. Cast: Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, Karren
Karagulian, Mickey O'Hagan, Alla Tumanyan, James Ransone. World
Premiere</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>The Sundance Film Festival®</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Sundance Film Festival has
introduced global audiences to some of the most groundbreaking films
of the past three decades, including Whiplash, Boyhood, Rich Hill,
Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Little Miss Sunshine,
sex, lies, and videotape, Reservoir Dogs, Hedwig and the Angry Inch,
An Inconvenient Truth, Precious and Napoleon Dynamite, and through
its New Frontier initiative has showcased groundbreaking media works
by artists and creative technologists including Chris Milk, Doug
Aitken, Palmer Luckey, Klip Collective and Nonny de la Pena. The
Festival is a program of the non-profit Sundance Institute®. 2015
Festival sponsors to date include: Presenting Sponsors – HP, Acura,
SundanceTV and Chase Sapphire Preferred®; Leadership Sponsors –
Adobe, Airbnb, Grey Goose® Vodka, LensCrafters and Southwest
Airlines; Sustaining Sponsors – Blundstone Australia Pty Ltd,
Canada Goose, Canon U.S.A., Inc., Chobani, LLC, Omnicom, Stella
Artois® and VIZIO. Sundance Institute recognizes critical support
from the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development, and the
State of Utah as Festival Host State. The support of these
organizations helps offset the Festival's costs and sustain the
Institute's year-round programs for independent artists.
sundance.org/festival</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Sundance Institute</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford,
Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides and
preserves the space for artists in film, theatre, and new media to
create and thrive. The Institute's signature Labs, granting, and
mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place
throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally. The Sundance
Film Festival and other public programs connect audiences to artists
in igniting new ideas, discovering original voices, and building a
community dedicated to independent storytelling. Sundance Institute
has supported such projects as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale
Station, Sin Nombre, The Invisible War, The Square, Dirty Wars,
Spring Awakening, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and Fun
Home. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and
YouTube.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-37496975894353314662014-12-03T20:27:00.001-07:002014-12-03T20:27:07.365-07:00Wild Elk - Up Close At Hardware Elk Festival<div style="float: right; margin: 6px; width: 450px;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TekWlaPmPx8" width="450"></iframe></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hardware Ranch is a wildlife management
area in northern Utah, near Logan. Every year a large herd of wild
elk winter at the ranch. Biologists feed them there to keep them from
migrating down into the valley where they might harm farms.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Viewing the elk has become a very
popular winter activity. Ranch personnel will take visitors on
sleight rides out among the elk as they deliver feed. The sleights
are often able to get quite close to the animals, even to large
bulls.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As snow starts to fly, the Ranch
sponsors a wildlife festival, as described in the info below provided
by the Ranch.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>Annual Elk
Festival</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
December 13:
Celebrate Utah's wildlife at this year's Elk Festival.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
It's time to
celebrate the return of the elk to Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management
Area with the annual Elk Festival. This year's festival will be held
at Hardware Ranch WMA on Saturday Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
There will be many fun and free family activities in addition to the
regular sleigh rides and visitor center. Activities will include fish
printing, wildlife Christmas ornament crafting, and more.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Elk viewing and
wagon rides begin in December</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Depending on
weather and snowfall, elk-viewing rides at Hardware Ranch WMA
generally run from the middle of December until March on Fridays,
Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. The 2014-2015 season will begin on
December 12, 2014 and will run through March 2, 2015.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Days Hours</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Friday Noon to
4:30 p.m.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Saturday 10 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Sunday 10 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Monday Noon to
4:30 p.m.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Elk-viewing ride
prices</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
(We take cash,
checks, credit and debit cards.)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Adults (9 and
older) — $5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Children (4
through 8) — $3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Children 3 and
younger ride for free.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Ticket sales for
rides will close promptly at 4:30 p.m. You must have your ticket
purchased and be in the sleigh line by 4:30 p.m. There is no food or
fuel sold at the ranch.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
We are closed
every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We are also closed on
Christmas day.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-2474227115380394502014-12-02T20:18:00.001-07:002014-12-02T20:18:06.341-07:00'The Wave' Permit System May Be Revamped, Comments Encouraged
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/grand_canyon/i/the-wave-paria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/grand_canyon/i/the-wave-paria.jpg" height="320" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
BLM is considering revamping the system
that allocates permits to people interested in visiting <a href="http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/grand_canyon/buckskin-gulch.htm">The
Wave</a>, which is a world-renowned scenic landscape near the
Utah/Arizona border. Under the current system, people sometimes
travel for long distances hoping to visit the area but are turned
away.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
KSL.com has <a href="http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=32572530" target="_blank">this
article</a> about the proposal. Below are excerpts.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Currently, 20
hikers per day can obtain permits for the world-renowned Wave. Ten of
the permits are distributed in advance online, while 10 more are
distributed each day through a lottery at the Grand
Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Obtaining a permit
can be a tricky feat. The odds of winning a permit online ranged from
4 to 25 percent in 2013 depending on the season, and 50 to 150 people
show up to apply for a permit in person on any given day, according
to the BLM. The warmer months, with the exception of July, are the
busiest for the attraction.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
“They would come
and book a whole vacation to stay in Kanab and every morning go and
do this lottery thing, and they’d lose and hopefully find something
else to do in the area, but do (the lottery) again the next morning
and the next and the next until they got beat up pretty bad,” he
(Kane County Office of Tourism director Ken Gotzen-Berg) said. “We’re
trying to hook them up with other experiences so even if they lose
the lottery, they’ll walk away saying, ‘Wow, what a fantastic
place.’ </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
BLM is in early stages of considering a
new system and will consider public input at all stages. A formal
comment period will be scheduled when definite options have been
drafted.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Public Input Sought On Proposed Fee
Hike At Natural Bridges</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The National Park Service is
considering raising the entry fee at <a href="http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/natural_bridges.htm">Natural
Bridges National Monument</a> and is soliciting public comment.
KSL.com has <a href="http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=32581013&nid=148&title=officials-weigh-raising-fees-at-natural-bridges" target="_blank">this
report</a> about the proposal. Here are excerpts.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Under a new
proposal, those entering the monument in private vehicles would pay
$15, up from $6.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Park officials say
the higher fees are part of an effort to standardize fees at parks.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
Camping fees would
stay at $10 per night.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-75042704307454991212014-12-01T21:17:00.001-07:002014-12-02T20:16:47.564-07:00America's Favorite Cities - 8 Areas Where Salt Lake Excels<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Travel+Leisure has released its annual
ranking of the <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-favorite-cities-2014" target="_blank">America’s
Favorite Cities</a>, and <a href="http://utah.com/saltlake/">Salt Lake City</a> makes a strong showing. Some
of the results are predictable, some surprising. Below is the
magazine's intro paragraph and then the categories where SLC excels.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
“For our eighth
annual (and sometimes controversial) survey, we tallied more than
50,000 votes, ranking 38 cities in dozens of categories. Find out the
results, including which cities are rudest, best for pizza, and most
stylish.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ski Trip</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salt Lake City</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Family Vacation</div>
<ol start="3">
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salt Lake City</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Adventure Vacation</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salt Lake City</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Friendly</div>
<ol start="2">
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salt Lake City</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Safety</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salt Lake City</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Peace and Quiet</div>
<ol start="4">
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salt Lake City</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cleanliness</div>
<ol start="2">
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salt Lake City</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Christmas Lights</div>
<ol start="3">
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salt Lake City</div>
</li>
</ol>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-8001188571342118972014-11-28T18:33:00.001-07:002014-11-28T18:36:53.949-07:00Utah's Festival of Trees – One of Our Best Holiday Traditions<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The annual <a href="http://festivaloftreesutah.com/" target="_blank">Festival
of Trees</a> will b held Dec 3-6 at <a href="http://utah.com/saltlake/arenas.htm">South Towne Expo Center</a>, 9575
South State Street, Sandy (south of <a href="http://utah.com/saltlake/">Salt Lake City</a>).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Every penny (100%) raised at the
Festival of Trees benefits children at Primary Children’s Hospital.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Over 800 trees will be displayed, each
with its own unique style – ornate, whimsical, creative, humorous,
classic, and sentimental.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Festival also features wreaths,
centerpieces, gingerbread creations, backyard playhouses, quilts,
gifts, treats, activities for children, and holiday entertainment.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Beautiful small trees are decorated, donated, and displayed at Festival of Trees. These trees are sold by silent auction on Opening Night, December 2, 2014 and throughout Festival week, December 3 - 6, 2014. Wreaths and other decorations are also sold. But there is
plenty to see and do, even if you don't come to buy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We invite you to walk through the
winter wonderland and hear sleigh bells ring at the 2014 Festival of
Trees!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/47643006" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-28725332518690966442014-11-26T21:30:00.002-07:002014-11-26T21:30:46.642-07:00Happy Thanksgiving From Utah.com
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We hope you have an enjoyable
Thanksgiving Day wherever you are. Hope you have the opportunity to
spend time with loved ones. Hope you take time to express thanks for
blessings and opportunities in your life.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Some of the things we are thankful for:</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Family and friends, of course</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Food and shelter and other
necessities of life</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The opportunity to work, to earn a
living and provide for family members</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Recreational opportunities,
particularly those that can be shared with loved ones</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The beauties of nature including
wild animals and wild places</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The opportunity to travel, see new
places, learn new things, meet new people</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The opportunity to relax, unwind,
de-stress</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hope you have occasion to enjoy the
laughter of a child, the song of a bird, a fresh breeze bouncing tree
limbs bending tree limbs, and the tranquility of wild places.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hope to see you on the trail, the
slopes, the beach or the river.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
– Dave Webb</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9491736.post-78677519188606745302014-11-25T20:09:00.004-07:002014-11-25T20:09:29.555-07:00Thanksgiving First, Then Favorite Christmas Festivities
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thanksgiving is a family-centered
holiday for most people and many businesses will be closed Thursday.
Many of our <a href="https://utah.com/ski/resorts/">ski resorts</a>
will be open, along with <a href="https://utah.com/lodging/">hotels</a>,
<a href="http://utah.com/database/restaurants/">restaurants</a>,
service stations and convenience stores, but most people will have
the day off.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There will be some special activities
including groups providing Thanksgiving dinners to homeless and
low-income people. Such groups often need volunteer help. The article
below gives details and some of the dinners:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b><a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865616457/Several-groups-providing-Thanksgiving-meals-this-week.html" target="_blank">Several
groups providing Thanksgiving meals this week</a></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Black Friday, shoppers will be out
in full force:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b><a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865616381/Our-complete-guide-to-Black-Friday-Cyber-Monday-and-Small-Business-Saturday.html" target="_blank">Our
complete guide to Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Small Business
Saturday</a></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Friday evening, Christmas lights will
be turned on at Temple Square and many other spots around Utah:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b><a href="http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=32484952" target="_blank">2014
guide to Christmas lights, Santa and holiday events around Utah</a></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our <a href="http://utah.com/nationalparks/" target="_blank">national
parks</a> and many <a href="http://utah.com/stateparks/">state parks</a>
are open year-round. Visitor Centers will be closed on Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Years Day, but parks are open and offer a great
opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and outdoor recreation during this
special time of year.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Happy Thanksgiving.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
– Dave Webb</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0