It’s that time of year when half of America makes its pilgrimage to Disneyland. After days of standing in lines, tripping over strollers, and buying tickets in the three figures; anyone can use a day off. Here are five free, family-friendly day trips within a short drive of Disneyland. Continue reading “5 FREE Family-Friendly Activities Near Disneyland”
In the far southeast corner of Utah, and I mean far, lies this gem of a museum. Built in the city of Blanding, the park sits on the site of an ancient pueblo settlement. The museum contains a large collection of ancient artifacts and outside are a few pueblos. One of which has a ladder leading into a 1,000-year-old kiva.
My nephews stumbled on a way to combine their two favorite hobbies: skiing and horseback riding. What they didn’t know is that this hybrid sport has a name. Skijoring is Norwegian for “ski driving” and has been around a while—although no one is sure how long. Variations include getting pulled by a dog (or more likely a team) or a machine. Competitions exist wherever snow is deep enough to hold them, including the championships in Whitefish, Montana.
Here’s a list of my top five favorite places to hike in southern Utah, chosen based on trails that are less crowded and off the beaten path. Two are from the Grand Staircase-Escalante Region, an area of more than two million acres with only one maintained trail. Spring and fall is the perfect time to check out southern Utah before the heat becomes unbearable. Click on the links to learn more.
Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon are two of the most stunning and easily accessible slot canyons. The trailhead to both is located a few miles west of Goblin Valley State Park, which is north of Hanksville, Utah. Continue reading “Little Wild Horse Canyon/Bell Canyon”
Confession: Goblin Valley is my absolute favorite state park so if you could do me a solid and stay away, I’d sure appreciate it. Already hard enough to get a campsite there, I don’t want even more crowds. This out-of-the-way park makes you feel like you’re eight years old and the world is just waiting to be explored at no less than a sprint. Continue reading “Goblin Valley State Park”
Historic Camp Floyd hosts ghost hunts three weekends a year in October, opening their hundred-year-old inn, museum, and cemetery to prying eyes and cameras. The night started off with instructions on how to spot the ghosts; then the lights were extinguished and off we went to find the spooky specters.
There are waterfalls worth hiking to and there are falls worth driving four hours, hiking through deep sand, and dodging flying caterpillars to get to. Lower Calf Creek is one of these. The only maintained trail and campground in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, this trail is already worthwhile before you even get out of your car; the country is that jaw dropping.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a 1.9 million-acre secret in southern Utah. Not quite sure how it’s remained so hidden but I’ve lived in Utah my entire life and barely knew about it. But within its vast borders are more slot canyons than you can swing a cat at. It has replaced Zion as my new favorite red rock area. Continue reading “Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument”
