The Mountain and Desert Beauty of St. George, Utah, USA

Happy New Year !!!!

2012-01-01T11:12:00.001-07:00

Hoping that 2012 is a great year for all of us.

Well.....

2011-03-26T00:17:00.004-06:00

I didn't get anything posted these last 8 months like I thought I would. Here's hoping things will get better.

St. George has had a little bit cooler and wetter winter than usual. But it has still been wonderful as far as I am concerned !!!! Some of the "Snow Birds" (people from the cold Northern areas) are starting to leave here, to go back to their main homes...wherever that may be.

Returning

2010-07-09T02:06:00.000-06:00

I have been ill for many months but I am back and hoping to post on my blogs again.

Ahhhh.....cooler weather

2009-10-04T12:40:00.002-06:00

From now until May, this is my most favorite time of year in St. George. It is cooler....but NEVER cold.....a good long reprieve from the HOT summer.

Sidewalks and eggs

2009-07-16T22:24:00.004-06:00

Seems like there is a saying that goes: “It’s so hot outside you could fry an egg on the sidewalk” ?

Well, that is what it feels like down here in St.George lately. But….this is typical summer weather for us. Want to come for a visit?

Love them mountains!!!

2009-06-25T23:54:00.002-06:00

St. George City Magazine

2009-05-29T23:45:00.005-06:00

The City of St. George produces a magazine entitled…. "inSIDE St. George". There are four issues a year: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. It contains news, activities, programs and information of things happening in the city. The magazine is very informative and colorful.

Click on the following link to view an archive of past issues. The magazine requires Acrobat Reader to view.
http://www.sgcity.org/inside/

Remember when my neighborhood was snowing cotton last year?

2009-05-13T07:06:00.006-06:00

I had posted photos last year of what it looked like when it was snowing cotton in our neighborhood, http://beautyofstgeorge.blogspot.com/search/label/cottonwood%20tree .

Well, about a month ago the owner of that lovely massive cottonwood tree couldn’t stand it anymore, either, and so he had it all cut down! Yea!!!!! I thanked him and mentioned that the whole neighborhood was thankful, too. We laughed.

Construction on the new larger airport for St. George

2009-05-05T00:27:00.010-06:00

See a large photo gallery/slideshow of the continual progress on the new airport….click on the following link:
http://www.sguconstruction.com/photos.php

To see a dated list of interesting details and historical summary of the events leading up to the actual groundbreaking of the new replacement airport, click on the following link:

http://www.sguconstruction.com/history.php

Pine Valley Chapel

2009-04-26T22:58:00.002-06:00

This old chapel in Pine Valley, about 45 minutes north of St. George, was built by a ship builder in 1868. The inside of the chapel is in the shape of an upside down hull of a ship.

See the following website for more information:
http://www.utah.com/stgeorge/historic_sites.htm

Still lots of room to expand and grow

2009-04-18T01:23:00.003-06:00

Economic crisis, yet we continue to build in St. George

2009-04-03T15:47:00.002-06:00

St. George forges ahead in expanding to meet the continuing growth of our city. Construction does not stop, as we see new business structures or remodeling going on all the time. This building will be the Steve Ogden's Flooring and Design business.

City transportation

2009-03-23T01:55:00.006-06:00

SunTran is the City of St. George’s public transit system. Whether you need a ride to work, school, shopping or somewhere fun, they offer an easy, comfortable and economical alternative to driving. SunTran buses pick up and drop off passengers at over 60 bus stops throughout St. George.

Buses run Monday through Saturday, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The buses do not run on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Pioneer Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

For more information on the SunTran bus, see their website:

http://www.sgcity.org/suntran/

A great place to live, work and play

2009-03-18T23:17:00.005-06:00

People relocate to the St. George, Washington County, Utah area for various reasons -- it might be the excellent quality of life....the many breathtaking scenic areas....or the temperate climate....or the healthy lifestyles the community offers....or the variety of golf courses....or the other drawing factors including the outstanding school system......or the Dixie State College educational opportunities for all ages. Include the abundant recreational opportunities... the variety of cultural events.... the growing business opportunities. Whatever the reason or combination of reasons, this is a great area in which to live, work and play.

Build your house upon a mesa

2009-03-10T12:29:00.014-06:00

What a view you could have!

St. George has many mesas, with many houses built on them. The view from them is fantastic !!!!

Our town's municipal airport is on a mesa. See a previous post of mine on this blog about it: http://beautyofstgeorge.blogspot.com/search/label/St.%20George%20Municipal%20Airport

(Definition of mesa: a high broad plateau with sharp rocky slopes)

St. George Art Museum Soup N' Bowl Fundraiser and Pottery Fair

2009-03-01T23:38:00.005-07:00

When: March 6, 2009
Where: St. George Art Museum
47 East 200 North St. George, UT 84770

(435)627-4525

http://sgcity.org/artmuseum/info.php

Museum Hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm

The Annual Soup N' Bowl Fundraiser and Pottery Fair generate support for the Permanent Collection at the Museum. Tickets for this event will be available in the Art Museum.

For a ticket price of only $20 per person, attendees will get to choose a bowl from a wide variety donated by local potters and enjoy a delicious lunch of soup, bread, and dessert.

Participants will also have the opportunity to bid on gorgeous art pieces offered in the Silent Auction and to meet some of the potters who donated bowls and auction items. Other artists will showcase pottery for sale at the outdoor Pottery Fair.

This is a wonderful opportunity to support the museum while enjoying a fun outing with family and friends. As an added bonus, a visit to the Art Museum is included in your ticket cost. Don't miss this fun event!

You can:
* Meet potters
* Support the Museum
* Enjoy lunch with your family and friends
* Keep your beautiful hand-made bowl
* Buy other Pottery
* Visit the Art Museum which is included in the ticket price

Town vista

2009-02-20T12:09:00.002-07:00

It’s so fun to drive around St. George and have these wonderful mountains surrounding us.

Culture and the Arts in St. George

2009-02-14T02:24:00.007-07:00

Southwest Symphony Orchestra…

The 2008-2009 eight-month concert season of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra has as their theme this year… “Simply Sensational Sounds”
Music soothes our souls, makes us feel good about ourselves, and gives us hope in the future.

For more information:
http://www.southwestsymphony.org/

Celebrity Concert Series….

Ten to thirteen presentations are offered each season, which includes symphony, opera, musicals, ballet, ethnic and chamber music.
Some events presented through the years include: St. Petersburg Ballet with Galina Mezentseva, Western Opera Theater, The Brothers Four, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, Ballet Hispanico, Americus Brass Band, Montana Repertory Theater, Mendelssohn String Quartet with Charles Neidich, The Nylons, Turtle Island and Montreux.

For more information:
http://www.dixie.edu/concerts/

Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum

2009-02-06T10:27:00.010-07:00

Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum in St. George is a world class facility of over 25,000 sq. ft. allowing visitors to experience over 300 species of wildlife throughout the world in their natural habitat. Nearly a quarter mile of mountain pathway (suitable for handicap access) winds its way through the plains of Africa, the forests of North America, and the mountains of Asia.

A two story mountain with two live waterfalls, over 50 hidden speakers providing ambient sounds of different animals, periodic thunder and lightning storms, provide an experience to be remembered.

Each person is provided a personal radio for narration during their journey describing the various animals with personal experiences from around the world by the Rosenbruch Family.

Nearly every large mammal of the world has been collected by the Rosenbruch Family over the past 40-years. All animals were legally hunted which have provided substantial revenue for protecting animal habitat and anti-poaching for third world countries.

Some species may no longer exist in countries like the Sudan of Africa that has been embroiled in Civil War for over 20-years. Other countries in Central Asia are increasingly difficult to access due to political problems.

The Rosenbruch family is committed to educating the public of the history and contribution that managed sport hunting provides for governments to provide protection for critical habitat and management of their wildlife resources.

Visit their website at: http://www.rosenbruch.org/index.html

Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum • 1835 Convention Center Drive • St. George, UT 84790 • (435) 656-0033. The Museum sits adjacent to the Dixie Convention Center

Playing golf against this backdrop

2009-01-29T12:29:00.001-07:00

Easy way to earn $200 a month at the plasma donation center in St. George

2009-01-22T11:35:00.014-07:00

BioLife Plasma Services in St. George

816 N. 2860 E. Street (next to Costco)

St. George, UT 84790

(435) 627-9102
http://www.biolifeplasma.com/html/center_location/Centers/utah_st_george.html

BioLife Plasma Services is an industry leader in the collection of high quality plasma that is processed into life-saving plasma-based therapies.

BioLife operates and maintains numerous state-of-the-art plasma collection facilities throughout the United States and collects nearly 3 million liters of plasma per year, helping hemophiliac and cancer patients as well as burn and trauma units with the donations of plasma.

The process of getting the plasma entails inserting a needle in the donor’s vein, and pumping blood into a specialized spinning device that separates the plasma from the cellular components of the blood, such as red and white blood cells and platelets.

While the plasma is collected, the other blood components are pumped into a reservoir. Once the reservoir is full, the red and white blood cells and platelets are returned to the donor’s body.

Throughout the process, the system automatically alternates between collection and re-infusion until the predetermined amount of plasma is obtained, based on your weight.

The tubing and all other collection supplies that come in contact with your blood are discarded and replaced with new, sterile materials each time a donation procedure is performed. Your blood never enters the machine.

When people donate blood they can’t get that blood back right away, but plasma is different. Plasma will automatically replenish itself in one’s body. When people give blood they feel weak, but when people donate plasma that doesn’t occur and they can go right back to school or work without having any of those symptoms.

So if you are looking for extra cash, you can donate up to two times a week and earn up to $240 a month. The payment system credits the money onto a debit card for you…you can just keep going in, and they automatically fund the card with the amount each time.
People are paid according to how long they donate.

The average length of time it takes to donate is 2 ½ hours for the very first visit, to go through the questions process, but the next visits are on average of 45 to 60 minutes long, which includes the time it takes to answer some health questions at the beginning of each session.

Time rolls on

2009-01-08T20:20:00.003-07:00

We’re into a new year and a new month and time just rolls along….not waiting for anyone or anything.

Christmas has come and gone in St. George, just like it has where you live. We each spent the holidays in our own special way and are now continuing to go forward to see what each new day of this brand new year will bring into our lives.

St. George continues to grow in population with new businesses sprouting up all the time. More and more places to eat seem to be what opens up the most.

We are hopeful, just like you that 2009 will be good to all of us, and that we will do what we can to make it a good year.

Now you see them....now you don't

2008-12-23T22:15:00.010-07:00

mountains visible on a clear day:

mountains hidden behind clouds on a stormy day:
It is interesting how the view near my house of the Pine Valley Mountains can change according to the weather.

Dixie Convention Center

2008-12-15T12:26:00.003-07:00

Hosting a variety of events, from home and garden expos to volleyball tournaments to high school reunions, the Dixie Convention Center is St. George's premier facility for conventions and trade shows. Its main exhibit hall boasts 46,500 square feet of column-free space that can accommodate anything from banquets to concerts. It can seat over 6,000 people for a concert or special event, as well as fit up to 240 10'X10' booths for a trade show.

Besides its main exhibit hall, the convention center features a 13,205 square foot ballroom that can seat up to 1,886 people for a large meeting. Its 7,078-square-foot Garden Room is an inviting reception and banquet space enclosed within glass to provide a unique indoor/outdoor feel. Three other mid-sized rooms can be configured many different ways, according to your event's needs. The 178-seat auditorium is an ideal spot for multi-media presentations.

St. George residents are glad to have this facility in their midst. For more information, click on their website:
http://www.dixiecenter.com/index.html

What a delightful event

2008-12-08T22:58:00.003-07:00

The Dicken’s Christmas Festival....an annual event held the first week in December.

Step back in time and enjoy the sights and sounds of 19th Century Old London Town as it comes to life at The Dickens' Christmas Festival held in the St. George Dixie Convention Center. This Festival is not just another craft show, but a unique and unusual entertainment and shopping experience. Guests wind through narrow village streets as they shop for gifts and rub shoulders with a cast of Dickens' characters such as Tiny Tim, Scrooge and even Queen Victoria. Old English shops, hundreds of period costumes, orphans, royalty, and the "real" Father Christmas all combine to offer guests a holiday experience like no other!

There is continuous entertainment from local and statewide performing groups seen throughout each day on three different stages. Thousands of eager customers attend and experience this magical holiday festival, then take home wonderful treasures, fond memories, and the spirit of Christmas.

Excellent healthcare in St. George

2008-12-01T02:17:00.003-07:00

St. George has two hospitals:

....the original hospital on the 400 East Campus includes: women’s and children’s services, cancer center, acute rehabilitation, various outpatient clinics, behavioral medicine, surgery center, imaging/lab/IS, newborn intensive care unit, pediatrics, Huntsman cancer center, behabioral medicine, radiation exposure screening and education program, acute rehabilitation unit.

....the new hospital on the River Road Campus includes: critical care services, imaging services, cardiovascular, bariatrics, joint services, inpatient and outpatient. For more information, click on the following two links:
http://www.stgeorgechamber.com/Healthcare.htm
http://intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/dixie/Pages/home.aspx

Also, on the campus of the new hospital is a building which includes an InstaCare clinic, Doctors offices, a pharmacy, a lab and imagining services.

Due to be completed summer of 2009, is the Dixie Regional Medical Center Outpatient Pavilion, which will include surgery, adult and pediatric rehab, endoscopy, fitness institute, comprehensive spine and pain management center, sports medicine clinic. Click on the following link for more information:
http://www.p-gems.com/newsletter/view.php?storyid=13886

The Russell Taylor Health Science Center at Dixie State College has built a 78,000 square foot facility that sits on the new River Road campus of Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, located approximately two miles from the Dixie State campus. The significance of this project is that Dixie State College has gone from offering no health science programs in the early 90's to a 78,300 square foot building that will now house some of the finest health science programs in the state. It also takes education to a site where students will have an incredible opportunity to get some of the best training available right in Dixie Regional Medical Center’s backyard.
The new facility, which will also double as a training facility for the hospital, will house programs in nursing, including registered nursing, practical nursing, and nursing assistance, dental hygiene, emergency medical services, medical radiography, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, and phlebotomy. For more information, click on the link below:
http://new.dixie.edu/news/news.php?id=4

Also new, is the Jubilee Home II, which will provide temporary charitable housing for patients and families. The Foundation of Dixie Regional Medical Center built the Home from community donations. Click on the following link to read more:
http://www.thespectrum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200881022014

Low clouds in the mountains and hills

2008-11-24T11:09:00.002-07:00

Clouds and colors of dusk

2008-11-15T14:11:00.005-07:00

Leave the driving to us

2008-11-09T22:54:00.006-07:00

The St. George Shuttle is a great way to travel to Las Vegas, Provo, or Salt Lake City. Their white van is extra large and roomy, and hooked to the back of it is an enclosed trailer for the luggage.

You just phone them to reserve a seat and then pay when you board the shuttle. If your plans happen to change, call them and they will remove your name from their list….you are not out a penny. Their service is great.

They now make two trips a day to Salt Lake and many trips a day to Vegas. Click on their link below to get information on their time schedule and prices:
http://www.stgshuttle.com/

From a historic cotton mill factory to a nursery and landscaping business

2008-10-30T14:07:00.011-06:00

Star Nursery, today

One of St. George’s neighboring towns is Washington City. Washington, named after our first president of the U.S., was established by the pioneers around the late 1850’s, before the now bustling town of St. George came into existence, which the pioneers also established. Washington was settled mainly at that time to grow cotton. Because of the war soon to break out between the North and South states, it was evident that obtaining cotton from the southern states was going to halt.

The climate and weather conditions were perfect in Washington City and trial cotton crops were planted, proving that cotton could grow and mature there and cloth made from it. By 1870 the Cotton Factory was fully completed with three floors, enabling the cloth to be produced there rather than having the lint baled and sent away to others to produce cloth. This offered a ready market for the cotton grown.

The factory never was a real money maker but it helped keep the pioneers in the area and provided them with work and an income, which they could not get anywhere else. It also supplied them with the cloth they needed to make their clothes.

Once the railroad came through and the Civil War ended, the pioneers were able to obtain goods from the east, and the need to raise cotton decreased. The Factory was closed in 1910 and basically stood empty for around 75 years.

The Civilian Conservation Corps used the factory grounds for their campground in the 1930’s and in 1985 the old cotton factory property was saved from demolition and was renovated and used for a community social hall and the Washington Cotton Factory was then listed on the national register as a Utah Historic Site.

In 1998, the old factory building and grounds was resold and the lower floor of the building and most of the grounds were converted into a nursery and landscaping business called Star Nursery, which prospers today.

Click on the following link to see photos and read more:
http://www.millpictures.com/mills/details.cfm?millid=886

Gratitude for our wonderful weather !

2008-10-25T12:53:00.003-06:00

I just got back from visiting up in colder northern Utah for a week, and gosh I am sure appreciative for the mild weather we have here in St. George this time of year and also into the winter months. I can’t handle the colder temperatures.

Do you want to take a ride over St. George in a hot air balloon?

2008-10-14T15:38:00.002-06:00

This might be a fun, scenic ride but I don’t care to find out, thank you. But you might be interested.

For information on how to take these balloon rides over St. George, go clear to the bottom of this home page for a photo and a link to where to go to find out.

St. George Art Museum..."The Art of Zion National Park"

2008-10-08T00:09:00.003-06:00

Show available:

August, 25 2008 through January, 24 2009

Zion National Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2009. To mark this historic event, the St. George Art Museum will host the most comprehensive exhibit of Zion ever mounted, a landmark three-part exhibition display August 25, 2008-January 24, 2009.

Click on the following link to learn more about the exhibit:

http://sgcity.org/artmuseum/exhibititem.php?id=77

The St. George Marathon

2008-10-01T09:42:00.004-06:00

The 32nd annual St George Marathon is underway and set to be largest race in its history.

This 2008 marathon cap was set higher than ever before at 7000 runners.

The Marathon experience starts Friday morning October 3, at the NordicTrack Health and Fitness EXPO held at the Dixie Convention Center from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The EXPO will consist of nearly 70 vendors, Runner Packet distribution, marathon information, and multiple prize giveaways. Also there will be various clinics being held throughout the day including a first timer’s clinic, a Clif Bar Pace Team clinic and a special guest speaker Rod Dixon. An all-you-can-eat pasta dinner will be served from 4:00-8:00 for all paying customers.

The race itself will begin with bus loading at 4:00 a.m. The last bus will leave at 5:30 a.m. Hand cycle and wheelchair participants will start their journey at exactly 6:40 with runners following closely behind when the gun goes off at 6:45.

Come share with the St George City in this historic event, when 7000 runners from 49 states and 10 foreign countries take part in a run of a lifetime.

Click on the following link to visit the St. George Marathon website:

http://www.stgeorgemarathon.com/events/press.php

I love this time of year in St. George

2008-09-27T18:50:00.006-06:00

After our very hot summers (110-115), this time of year is so refreshing as it begins to cool down. On these nice days, I especially love to sit out on our back deck in the glider swing, with my feet up and read for hours. The refreshing breeze and beautiful sky makes it just perfect.

Even as we get into winter, our weather is just gorgeous. St. George has a wonderful mild climate...no wonder retired people come here and spend their winters.

A fun new friend at McDonald's

2008-09-23T18:43:00.001-06:00

Scenery from Canyon View Drive

2008-09-19T01:03:00.002-06:00

The only warehouse store in town where you can get your tummy full at the many free food sample tables!

2008-09-14T19:09:00.005-06:00

...plus they have lots of wonderful bulk merchandise for sale at wholesale prices. It does require a membership to be able to purchase items.

The beautiful red rock hills on Diagonal Street

2008-09-09T22:16:00.004-06:00

One of my favorite little stores in town

2008-09-06T14:52:00.003-06:00

Seagull Book Store..."Where you never pay full price for anything".

Unusual sky

2008-09-03T02:29:00.003-06:00

Monday night I looked out our kitchen window and noticed the sky, with this unusual color contrast between the cloud and sky.

Scenery on Sunset Blvd.

2008-08-28T11:35:00.006-06:00

A store that can help your health

2008-08-22T00:09:00.004-06:00

This Dixie Nutrition Store was built last fall, and is the second one bearing the same name in the St. George area. It is a wonderful large health food store containing all kinds of herbal, and other types of nutritional supplements. They also have health books, special health foods, fresh organic produce, and many other specialty items. Stop in and meet the friendly staff, who are highly knowledgeable in the field of herbs and nutrition.

Part 2 of 2...Slick Rock Park

2008-08-18T12:28:00.008-06:00

[Slick Rock Park is located on Riverside Drive between 2250 East and the Dinosaur Discovery Museum. It is a small park that sets back in from the road and has the feeling of seclusion from the traffic].

St. George Area Towns and Neighborhoods

2008-08-15T14:33:00.025-06:00

This post is quite lengthy. It contains information about each of the neighboring towns around St. George and a link to a website where you can find more information on each town. Use the 3 maps at the end of this post to locate the towns and their roads.

Apple Valley
Apple Valley started out as a housing development between Hurricane and Hildale on SR-59. However, they grew concerned in 2003 over possible annexation by one of the neighboring towns or the possible construction of a truss factory. The town of Apple Valley officially incorporated in October 2004. It is very picturesque with the beautiful desert scenery that makes nearby Zion National Park attractive to people from all over the world.

Children in Apple Valley attend Three Falls Elementary, Hurricane Middle School, and Hurricane High School. In 2004 it had a population of 650.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Valley%2C_Utah

Bloomington
Bloomington is a community that is located in the southern part of St. George city and is on the west side of Interstate 15. Bloomington was originally established as a development around the Bloomington Golf Course. The Virgin River follows a winding course through the community and is crossed by Man O' War Bridge. Part of the community

Elementary students attend Bloomington Elementary and eventually feed into Dixie High School (a few miles away) through Dixie Intermediate School and Dixie Middle School. Bloomington, Christensen, and Petroglyph parks are also in Bloomington. Bloomington Park has 24 acres which includes three ball parks, volleyball court, basketball court, picnic area, and a playground.

Central
Central is a small community about 26 miles north of St. George on SR-18. Many people live here who enjoy the opportunity to enjoy a rural open space area while enjoying the amenities of St. George nearby.

Students from Central attend Enterprise Elementary School and Enterprise High School.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central%2C_Utah

Enterprise
Located 40 miles north of St. George on SR-18, Enterprise is an agricultural town. It produces products like potatoes, alfalfa, and hay. In fact, the hay from Enterprise is shipped all around the world.

Children in Enterprise attend Enterprise Elementary and Enterprise High School.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise%2C_Utah

Gunlock
Gunlock is located about 21 miles northwest of St. George. It was established on the Old Spanish Trail so that the residents could trade with people traveling on the trail. The name "Gunlock" is the nickname of the community's founder, William Hamblin, who was a gun expert. Each year Gunlock hosts its own rodeo.

Children from Gunlock typically attend Red Mountain Elementary, Lava Rock Intermediate School, Snow Canyon Middle School, and Snow Canyon High School.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunlock%2C_Utah

Hildale
Hildale is an interesting town in that it is home to a clan of polygamists along with its sister city, Colorado City, Arizona. It is south of Hurricane and Apple Valley on SR-59 just 20 minutes away from Pipe Springs National Monument.

Children from Hildale attend Three Falls Elementary, Hurricane Middle School, and Hurricane High School.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildale%2C_Utah

Hurricane
Hurricane is a rapidly growing town located about 19 miles northeast of St. George. It is on Highway 9 which connects with Interstate 15. It was originally settled at the turn of the century when a canal was eventually built to support a town here in Hurricane. Now the area has many orchards and turf grass farms. It also welcomes millions of people a year who travel through the town to visit Zion Canyon in Zion National Park.

Children attend Hurricane Elementary School, Hurricane Middle School, and Hurricane High School. The town hosts many recreational leagues covering many sports for all ages, and Hurricane is also home to Sky Mountain Golf Course - a scenic 18 hole and par 72 course.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane%2C_Utah

Ivins
At the foot of dramatic 1,500 foot red cliffs, Ivins is truly a beautiful place to live. It is also home Tuacahn Center for the Arts which brings Broadway to the desert and Red Mountain Spa which offers luxurious pampering and rejuvenating recreational activities. The town was not settled until the early 1920s after a canal was finally built in the area during World War I. Ivins is a few miles northeast of St. George and is near Snow Canyon State Park.

School students in Ivins attend Red Mountain Elementary School, Lava Ridge Intermediate School, Snow Canyon Middle School, and Snow Canyon High School. Ivins has one park with many amenities, two mini-parks that offer a few amenities, and two parks devoted to the natural landscape.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivins%2C_Utah

La Verkin
La Verkin is just north of Hurricane on SR-9 on the Virgin River. The La Verkin Fruit and Nursery Company which incorporated in the late 1880s, and helped bring people and money to the town. Today it is a growing town since nearby Hurricane is rapidly growing.

Children in La Verkin attend La Verkin Elementary, Hurricane Middle School, and Hurricane High School.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Verkin%2C_Utah

Leeds
Located 17 miles northeast of St. George on Interstate 15 is Leeds. It was established in 1867, but really began to grow a few years later when silver was discovered in nearby Silver Reef. Today the town enjoys a peaceful existence near the Quail Creek State Park and other points of interest like Silver Reef ghost town.

Children here attend La Verkin Elementary, Hurricane Middle School, and Hurricane High School.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeds%2C_Utah

New Harmony
About 40 miles northeast of St. George is the small bedroom community of New Harmony. This area is known for its orchards that produce delicious fruit. Of note, it was the first settlement and county seat of Washington County when it was established in 1852.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Harmony%2C_Utah

Pine Valley
Pine Valley, about 35 miles north of St. George, is a picturesque community with uncharacteristic green pine trees and meadows. This is a favorite place for Southern Utahns to visit since it is so green and unlike the desert landscape of the rest of the region.

Students from Pine Valley attend Enterprise Elementary School and Enterprise High School.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Valley%2C_Utah

Pintura (formerly named Bellevue)

http://www.lofthouse.com/USA/Utah/washington/pintura.html

Rockville
Rockville is just west of Springdale and the mouth to Zion Canyon in Zion National Park on SR-9. It was originally settled in the 1860s by early Mormon settlers who were trying to set up cotton growing areas here. Now, it is a bedroom community that welcomes millions of annual visitors who come to see Zion National Park.

Children in Rockville attend Springdale Elementary, Hurricane Middle School, and Hurricane High School.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockville%2C_Utah

Santa Clara
Santa Clara began when Jacob Hamblin and other Mormon missionaries built a cabin in the 1850s on the Santa Clara River to work with the Paiute Indians and travelers going to California during. Now, Santa Clara is a prosperous community whose borders with St. George are now almost indistinguishable. It is also near Snow Canyon State Park.

Kids in Santa Clara attend Santa Clara Elementary School, Lava Ridge Intermediate School, Snow Canyon Middle School, and Snow Canyon High School. Santa Clara is also home to the Archie H. Gubler and A, B & Pony League ball fields and the Santa Clara Arboretum that has a beautiful cactus garden.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Clara%2C_Utah

Silver Reef
Silver Reef is about 18 miles northeast of St. George and has an interesting history. It was a silver mining town after silver was discovered here in the 1870. The silver mining industry brought many businesses here, and historic building still stand. People from all over the area come here to visit this ghost town.

Springdale

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springdale%2C_Utah

St. George

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._George%2C_Utah

Toquerville
Toquerville is six miles northwest of Hurricane, and is a pleasant little town.

Children attend La Verkin Elementary School, Hurricane Middle School, and Hurricane High School.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toquerville%2C_Utah

Veyo
Veyo is a small community about 16 miles north of St. George on SR-18. The community was established in 1914 after a canal was built to bring water to the town. Just north of Veyo is Brookside. The community has several businesses despite its small size and out-of-the-way location.

Students from Veyo can either attend Diamond Valley Elementary School, Desert Hills Intermediate School, Dixie Middle School, and Dixie High School or Enterprise Elementary School and Enterprise High School. Veyo has a park that families can enjoy together.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veyo%2C_Utah

Virgin
Virgin is a few miles east of Hurricane on SR-9. It welcomes millions of people each who travel along SR-9 on their way to Zion Canyon in Zion National Park. Access to Kolob Canyon in the national park from the south is only through Virgin. The town was settled in the 1850s as a farming community. Oil was even drilled here for a few decades.

Student from Virgin attend La Verkin Elementary School, Hurricane Middle School, and Hurricane High School.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin%2C_Utah

Washington City
Just northeast of St. George is Washington City. It was originally founded as part of a cotton growing mission in Southern Utah by early Mormon pioneers in the 1850s just before the Civil War. Since then Washington City has grown like St. George and other Washington County cities. Currently, the city is enjoying an influx of retirees who find the mild winters here attractive.

Washington City children attend Washington Elementary School, Fossil Ridge Intermediate School, Pine View Middle School, and Pine View High School. Washington City also runs Green Spring Golf Course, two parks, ballparks, and a swimming pool.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington%2C_Utah

Winchester Hills, Diamond Valley, & Dammeron Valley
These three housing developments north of St. George along SR-18 flourished over the last 15 years. People who live in these developments want to live both near the natural scenery of Southern Utah while enjoying living close to the conveniences of St. George. Many of the residents own animals like horses and chickens. These developments are all close to the northeast entrance of Snow Canyon State Park, and a new community is developing surrouding The Ledges Golf Course just south of Winchester Hills.
Students from these communities attend Diamond Valley Elementary School, Desert Hills Intermediate, Dixie Middle School, and Dixie High School. Each development has a park for residents to enjoy with their families.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dammeron_Valley%2C_Utah

click on the following maps to enlarge slightly

Part 1 of 2 .... Slick Rock Park

2008-08-12T20:38:00.007-06:00

Slick Rock Park is located on Riverside Drive between 2250 East and the Dinosaur Discovery Museum. It is a small park that sets back in from the road and has the feeling of seclusion from the traffic.

Washington County, Utah

2008-08-09T19:46:00.007-06:00

http://www.washco.state.ut.us/

Washington County is located in the southwestern corner of Utah. The county was formed on March 3, 1852 by an act of the territorial legislature. Harmony, one of the only settlements in the area at that time, was appointed as the first county seat. The first boundaries of Washington County stretched nearly 600 miles - the entire width of the territory. As the territory was settled the county boundaries changed several times and the county seat was later changed to St. George.

Most of the early residents of the county were Mormon Pioneers and the area was agricultural. Today, Washington County is one of the fastest growing areas of the country, as declared in 2006. People are migrating here now to enjoy the mild winter climate, beautiful scenery, and comfortable lifestyle.

St. George is the largest city in Washington County. The County was named for the first President of the U.S., George Washington.

The county has a total area of 2,430 square miles and an elevation that varies from 2,178 to 10,194 feet. The 2008 estimated county population is around 143,000.

It has two National protected areas: Dixie National Forest and Zion National Park.

The major highways are: Interstate 15, State Route 9, State Route 17, State Route 18, and State Route 59.

In addition to the primary and secondary schools that compose Washington County School District, the county is home to Dixie State College of Utah in St. George, with a campus extension in the neighboring town of Hurricane.

Summer is winding down

2008-08-07T22:17:00.002-06:00

Tuesday, August 12, school begins here in St. George again. Parents and children are busy doing the necessary things to get ready.

It hasn’t seemed like much of a summer this year. We usually always reach temperatures up to 115-120 but that has not happened, unless it plans to do so in the next two weeks. We have hovered between 105 and 110 for our highs all summer.

I am ready for the cooler weather. Our winters average around the high of 50-60. We receive no snow to speak of. Maybe once the whole winter it will snow for 15 minutes up to a couple of hours, just long enough to put down a skiff of snow for the kids to play in and maybe roll a small snowman. Then it is all melted in a few hours.

St. George Area Chamber of Commerce

2008-08-02T22:40:00.002-06:00

The Elected Board of Directors determines policies and plans of action aimed at maintaining and developing a community in which business and families can thrive.

Visit the Chamber's site at:
http://www.stgeorgechamber.com/

click on the following link to see their current online newsletter:
http://www.stgeorgechamber.com/BIZ%20NEWS/2008/7.29.08.html

click on the following link to view their newsletter archives:
http://www.stgeorgechamber.com/LocalBizNews%20Online.htm

Cool off with our mild winter mountain scenery

2008-07-30T23:48:00.005-06:00

Click photos to enlarge and see detail....

St. George to Las Vegas

2008-07-25T20:28:00.003-06:00

Driving time from here to Las Vegas is about 2 hours, and is approximately 120 miles southwest from St. George.

Besides what the “Vegas Strip” has to offer, check out the following link:

https://www.vegas.com/attractions/

Towns and freeway exits around St. George

2008-07-19T17:54:00.005-06:00

More gorgeous scenery of St. George

2008-07-14T10:31:00.002-06:00

These are poppin up all over town

2008-07-07T11:17:00.006-06:00

These wonderful RedBoxes are becoming the rage around here. They are extremely popular and the best thing that could have happened in the world of movie nuts.

I remember when the first one appeared at the Albertson’s store by us. As people became aware of what they were, the line in front of them became longer and longer. Then the store ordered a second one and that helped tremendously. Other stores within the St. George area to find a RedBox is: Maverik, McDonalds, Harmons, Wal-Mart, Smiths.

You can’t beat $1.00 a night to rent the movies that are contained within the RedBox. It is very easy. You just press areas on the screen and follow directions to choose your movies. Then you swipe your credit card in a slot on the machine and the movie, which is contained within its own plastic case, comes out of another slot. Movies are then returned TO ANY REDBOX LOCATION by 9 pm the next night by way of the same slot on the machine. If you don’t return the movie by 9, your account will be charged another $1.00.

And so far, Monday is free movie day. A number code is taped to the front of the machine, you type in the code on the screen, and you receive a free movie. Can’t beat that !!!

How would you like to have these views from YOUR backyard?

2008-06-30T23:13:00.004-06:00

New community center

2008-06-25T20:46:00.005-06:00

Just recently, a huge and totally fun community center opened in Washington City…the neighboring town to St. George. If interested in more information, click on the following link:

http://washingtoncity.org/recreation/index.php?sub=CommunityCenter

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

2008-06-19T23:50:00.004-06:00

A 62,000-acre (20 miles wide and 6 miles deep) scenic wildlife reserve established in 1996, and set aside to federally protect the desert tortoise and other rare and sensitive plants and animals from human encroachment in Utah's rapidly growing Washington County.

The Reserve merges three ecosystems: the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau. The area is biologically rich with a variety of animals and plants that are rarely seen in one place. The Reserve contains the Mojave Desert Tortoise, Gila monster, sidewinder rattlesnake, and chuckwalla… reptiles typically associated with hotter and more southerly deserts, like the Mojave.

The Reserve protects a large, diverse, and functional expanse of habitat capable of sustaining wildlife populations threatened by rapid development and habitat loss across Washington County in the St. George area. Located immediately adjacent to several growing communities, the Reserve also protects the cities’ scenic red rock backdrop.

The Reserve is northerly of Ivins, Santa Clara, St. George and Washington City, south of Leeds, and westerly of Hurricane and LaVerkin. The Reserve is trisected by Highway 18 in the west and I-15 in the east. There are many access points and trails for recreational opportunities within the Reserve.

Jumpin and sliding your way to fun

2008-06-11T23:59:00.010-06:00

A place called Jumpin Jacks has been in town a couple of months. It is like a small recreation center.

If you’re young and limber (which I am not), then you will really enjoy going to this place.

They have set up about a dozen large inflated jump and bounce houses, and two large inflated slides. Kids of course have tons of fun, but as I was watching everyone there...I think the adults were having MORE fun.

Click on the following link for more information.

http://www.jumpinjackskids.com/

Our latest "new store in town"

2008-06-01T21:25:00.006-06:00

Well, am I excited about our newest store in St. George. I have never been to a Barnes and Noble bookstore before. I could not believe my eyes when I walked through the front door. This place is HUGE. Three of our regular bookstore would have fit into this store !!!

I took my time and wandered throughout the whole store to see what types of things the store contained. My goodness....what a different, wide-range of items they sell. Besides the most largest, most varied selection of books I have EVER seen in a bookstore, (it reminded me of a library), there were DVD movies, puzzles, maps, toys, gifts especially for readers, artist paper, bargain books, discount books, children’s books, comic book-type books, role playing games, etc, etc, etc. And sprinkled throughout the whole store were small “reading areas with 4 comfortable cushy chairs surrounding a small table in the middle. Oh yes, there is also a “Starbucks” section with yummy baked goods.

No kidding...a person could spend hours and hours in this Barnes and Noble bookstore. And IF you are an avid book lover/reader....you just might spend the whole day there, who knows !!!!

So do yourself a favor and have a fun time by visiting Barnes and Noble.

Annual Kite Festival

2008-05-26T01:00:00.010-06:00

Every year around April, the Dixie Escalante Kite Festival is held. Many businesses in the community make the Festival possible through their financial sponsorship. It is a wholesome, uplifting, family-oriented event.

The purpose of the Kite Festival is to reward school students who have participated in a special Reading Program. Those who qualify earn a free, high-quality kite for their reading efforts, and they can participate in the kite flying festival.

Besides the open kite flying that is scheduled, there are also kite demonstrations, competitions and contests, such as the largest kite and a Rokkaku Fighter Kite War. Winning school teams earn the money for their school.

At the festival, there are also rides, games, entertainment and refreshments.

Scenic drive

2008-05-23T12:19:00.006-06:00

A few weeks ago, when I went to the Pine Valley recreation area campgrounds (see the May 12 post), I took some scenic photos (from within our moving car) on the drive back to town.

Here they are:

Volcanoes in St. George

2008-05-19T23:33:00.006-06:00

Cinder cone volcanoes within Snow Canyon State Park, near St. George

Volcanoes are created by internal forces within the Earth that cause heated, melted rock (magma) to rise to the surface. First collecting in magma chambers, some of the magma eventually pushes upward through cracks (vents) to the Earth's surface. As the magma reaches the surface, it loses some of its gases and turns into lava. Volcanoes are created by the release and build-up of lava and other materials. Volcanoes have varied shapes and sizes, but are divided into three main kinds depending on the type of material that reaches the surface and the type of eruption that ensues. One such kind is cinder cone.

A cinder cone is a volcanic cone built almost entirely of loose volcanic fragments, ash, and pumice. Cinder cones are the simplest and smallest type of volcano, built from particles and blobs of congealed lava ejected from a single vent. As the gas-charged lava is blown violently into the air (often hundreds of feet), it breaks into small fragments that solidify and fall as cinders (about ½ inch in diameter) that pile up around the volcano’s vent to form a circular or oval cone shape. The molten rock solidifies instantly, often preserving bubbles created by escaping gasses. If an eruption of this type continues long enough, fragments accumulate layer by layer to form a cinder cone. Cinder cones can grow up to 2,300 feet high, but most are between 100 and 1,000 feet. Most cinder cones have a bowl-shaped crater at the summit and rarely rise more than a thousand feet or so above their surroundings.

Cinder cone volcanoes are found in many places in Utah, and the city of St. George is located in a volcanic field. North of St. George is Snow Canyon State Park and within it’s boundaries are two cinder cones that are close to the road. The Cinder Cone Trail is a 1.5 mile path that climbs one of the extinct volcanoes. Despite its short length, this path is difficult as people must climb up and down steep slopes with volcanic rock that makes it hard for one to keep their footing. However, the views at the top of the volcano are well worth the effort. Besides, how often can one climb a volcano?

It's snowing COTTON ! ! !

2008-05-16T23:46:00.003-06:00

For the last couple of weeks it has been snowing.....cotton....by our house....because two houses down from us we have a neighbor that has a gigantic cottonwood tree in their back yard. And when the breeze comes up, down comes the fluffy white cotton out of the tree and goes EVERYWHERE!! It even likes to come into our house when we open the door.

Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness....

2008-05-12T17:57:00.018-06:00

Located 35 miles north of St. George, Utah, the area known as Pine Valley is surrounded by wilderness, pine trees, and wildlife of the Dixie National Forest. The small community of Pine Valley is a welcome summer retreat from the heat of St. George. At 6,630 feet (compared to 2,800 feet elevation in St. George), the cool evenings and shade from ponderosa pines seem like a little piece of heaven.

The Pine Valley Mountain, being a mountain island surrounded by desert, is more or less isolated from the Wasatch Mountain Range, which extends the entire length of the state. The mountains are a striking compliment to the area’s dramatic red rock scenery.
Because the St. George area is located between the Rocky Mountains and the desert southwest, it features the distinct landscapes of both. It has forested mountain ranges and high plateaus, along with rugged and starkly beautiful red rock desert.

The Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness preserves numerous lush meadows (up to 50 acres in size) and a beautiful forest of Engelmann spruce in the south, and spruce mixed with fir, pine, and large stands of aspen in the north. The Pine Valley Mountains rise through the entire center of the area and provide habitat for chipmunks, marmots, red squirrels, and a large herd of deer in summer.

The photos below were taken within the Pine Valley Recreation Area camp grounds.

Woohoo....we feel privileged!!!

2008-04-30T00:14:00.005-06:00

How would you like to sit in a line of 25 cars ahead of you JUST to eagerly order a hamburger, fries and drink? Well, that’s what people have been doing here since last week when a new eating place opened up in Washington City, a bordering town to St. George.

The place is called “In-N-Out Burger”....but it isn’t just an ordinary fast food place, or another hamburger joint...no-sir-ee. Their menu is very simple...just 3 items: burgers, fries, and drinks. Their meat and fries are NEVER frozen. Meat is cut up and fresh ground each day...fries are cut up each day from whole potatoes. The taste of both is well worth the wait in line, which really goes fast.....you’re really “in and out” before you know it.

The reason we feel privileged is that we’re the first town in Utah to have an “In-N-Out Burger” They are very popular in most of California, especially southern; the Nevada areas of Reno and Las Vegas; and western Arizona.

Unique addition to a golf course

2008-04-22T00:27:00.007-06:00

How many golf courses do you see that has a duck pond (with some swans, too) attached to it, by the side of the road?

The Bloomington Golf Course has just that! And it is gorgeous, peaceful, and relaxing to be there. There are benches where you can sit and watch the ducks and toss them some bread if you like. And you can watch the large schools of orangey gold fish try to beat the ducks at getting the bread.

.... a swimming hole for kids

2008-04-17T15:15:00.007-06:00

One section of the Virgin River which runs through parts of
St. George is a popular hangout for the kids. It makes an ideal “swimming hole” for them. The scenery and trails along the river is fun and serene. This one particular area of river also has a little waterfall that is fun to see and watch as the kids like to walk under the falls.

Virgin River information:

The Virgin River is a 200 mile long tributary of the Colorado River in the southwestern U.S. It begins in southwestern Utah at the Navajo Reservoir in the Dixie National Forest, north of Zion National Park near Springdale. The river flows in a southwestern direction passing though

ST. GEORGE where the Santa Clara River joins the Virgin at Tonaquint. The river then flows across the northwestern corner of Arizona and enters southern Nevada near Mesquite. It then empties into the Colorado River at Lake Mead reservoir, approximately 40 miles east of Las Vegas. The last 30 miles of the Virgin River forms the north arm of Lake Mead.

North Rim of the Grand Canyon

2008-04-13T01:54:00.008-06:00

The north rim of Grand Canyon National Park is located 30 miles south of Jacob Lake on Highway 67; the Canyon rim is an additional 14 miles south. Jacob Lake is located in northern Arizona on Highway 89A, not far from the Utah border. Grand Canyon lies entirely within the state of Arizona.

From St. George, it is roughly 160 miles to the west end of the north rim. What a beautiful sight the Canyon is!!!!

Mid-October event each year in St. George brings people from all over the World

2008-04-07T22:05:00.009-06:00

The Huntsman World Senior Games, as it is known today, and held in St. George, Utah, is an international senior sports competition. It began in 1987, when John H. Morgan sponsored the first event. At that time it was named the World Senior Games, and there were only 500 participants.

In 1989 Jon M. Huntsman, Chairman of the Huntsman Corporation, became the Games' principal sponsor after recognizing their value which not only fosters lifetime fitness, but has expanded Utah's economic vitality. At that time, Huntsman’s name was added to the title.

Even when the Games were in their infancy, the St. George Mayor and City Council saw the value of these senior games and gave their support, as they have ever since. The values they are supporting with their financing, facilities and personnel are those of the Games - health, friendship and peace - and the fun of the Games.

The dream of those early years has continued to inspire thousands of people to get off the couch, and get to the gym, pool, horseshoe pit, golf course, etc. With so many sports to choose from, anyone can take part in the Games, and take home a medal or two. No pre-qualifications are necessary, and all men and women can find something of interest, regardless of their age.

Holding the games in St. George gives participants a chance to visit some of the most spectacular National Parks & Monuments. Several are located in the region including Bryce, Zion and the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

The Games are open to all men and women age 50 and older. Today there are more than 7, 000 participants annually. Participants come from all over the world and all fifty states. The gender breakdown of participants is approximately 67% male and 33% female. The oldest participant so far has been 96 years old. Seniors can register for one or several competitions.

Generally, the Games consist of 22 different events including: basketball, bowling, tennis, bridge, cycling and mountain biking, racquetball, road racing, softball, swimming, triathlon, volleyball, lawn bowls, square dance, table tennis and track and field. Athletes also compete in games of horseshoes and golf matches.

The Games also help foster good health through free health screenings. The services include PSA, blood sugar, bone density, hearing, blood pressure, cholesterol and glaucoma tests and body composition and breast cancer risk assessment screening - all meant to emphasize the importance of seniors taking a proactive role in their health.

Health experts say the activities can be a source of important information about the changing medical needs of older people - and equally important, a great way for seniors to compete and have fun.

There are several other events and social activities surrounding the Huntsman Senior Games such as dinners, dances, a talent show and opening ceremonies.

St. George Municipal Airport

2008-04-03T23:13:00.005-06:00

See that mesa up there....beyond the parking lot? The top left end of the mesa is where the St. George Airport is located.

It may sound strange to think of airplanes landing on top of a mesa.....even stranger to be ON the plane and observing out the window as it comes in for a landing on what first appears to be a small section of land above the city. But it is really kind of awesome!

The St. George Municipal Airport is served by Sky West on behalf of Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. It is termed “The Delta Connection”. There are several flights each day to and from Salt Lake City, Utah.

This current airport is small, having only one runway. There is no room for expansion and it cannot accommodate larger aircraft. The city has been planning for several years for a new airport in another location. With our rapidly increasing population, we need to be able to fly out of here on larger planes and hopefully cut down on a few of the connecting flights we have had to make in Salt Lake to get to some of the shorter distance cities and states around us.

What in the world is that?

2008-03-31T13:58:00.006-06:00

This is a very unusual structure, indeed! But it happens to be the Sand Hollow Aquatic Center in St. George.

It houses a 25m by 25 yd competition and diving pool, and a 5,800 square foot leisure pool. The leisure pool has an overhead water dump bucket, water walk, water slides, and various sprays and moving water areas that provides a fun aquatic experience for the whole family.

If you are into prehistoric stuff.....

2008-03-20T10:09:00.008-06:00

click image to enlarge

......you might enjoy learning more about St. George’s Dinosaur tracks discovery site. Click on this first link below to read about the first discovery in the area in 2000, and also about the new museum.

http://www.sgcity.org/dinotrax/indexmain.php

Click on this second link below, a YouTube video, about the museum and some interesting facts and views inside the museum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtNSTlI_xew

Wheeeeee.....going up and down this hill is fun now!

2008-03-12T20:26:00.009-06:00

Click on photo to enlarge and see details

The name of this hill in the above photo is called “Foremaster” Over seven years ago when they finished this road going up and over the hill, it was a blessing because it made easier access to the businesses on this end of town. It also cut down on the traffic on the other end.

But since, through these seven years as the population increased...so did the usage and discovery of this uphill road by others. Originally there was not a traffic light at the bottom of the hill on this side. Many times the line of cars would be backed up nearly to the top of the hill, as each driver waited their turn at the yield sign below, to get onto the main road...called Riverside Drive. It got so that I dreaded using this hill to come down.

Well, to our great joy....a couple of weeks ago the NEW traffic lights were finally in use. Gosh what a difference. Hooray for traffic lights.

If you owned this land...what would you do with it?

2008-03-07T21:43:00.006-07:00

click on photos to enlarge and use left/right and up/down scroll bars to see complete view

These photos are of an old forsaken dried up golf course in St. George. Originally named Twin Lakes Golf Course, it was later changed to Coconut Grove Golf Course. The last two sets of owners spent lots of money to redo and keep it going but when things such as not watering like it should have been, planting the wrong kind of grass seed that was not hardy enough for this hot climate, and one colder than usual winter that wiped out the palm trees.. the last owners gave up. Sadly...this is what the golf course looks like today.

Get your thoughts going and dream a little. Can you see a potential for a use for this land? If you bought the land what would you do with it? One person said they would turn it into a water slide park.

Green Gate Village Historic Inn (in St. George)

2008-03-03T20:20:00.011-07:00

This Folkart of the Green Gate Village is by renowned artist Eric Dowdle

Green Gate Village Historic Inn, is one of Utah's "hidden treasures". Behind the green gates you'll discover 14 buildings with nine beautifully restored historic homes nestled in a garden-like setting around the "Village Green".

What is the history behind the name “Green Gate” Village? In 1877, Brigham Young ordered white paint for the new St. George Temple. When the shipment finally arrived by wagon he was disappointed to learn that the paint was green, not white. Unable to return it, he gave the green paint to local St. George residents to gild their gates and fences. Only one of those green gates still remain from a 130 years ago and is on display in the formal garden of the Green Gate Village. The other gates surrounding the Village are patterned after this treasured original.

To see photos of the homes and learn more about the "Village" ....click on the following link:

http://www.utah.com/attractions/greengate_village.htm

Culture and Arts in the area

2008-02-25T18:22:00.004-07:00

Whether you are looking to attend music concerts or plays; art shows, open air sculpture exhibits, or a museum....St. George and close surrounding areas offer what you are looking for. For more information, click on the following link:

http://www.stgeorgechamber.com/Culture%20&%20Arts.htm

Palm trees in Utah?....only in St. George!

2008-02-16T21:16:00.003-07:00

I can remember the first time that I came down to southern Utah, to this town of St. George. One of the first things that stood out was the fact that I was seeing desert palm trees everywhere. Palm trees??? Here in St. George, Utah??? Yes, because of the hot dry desert climate, desert palm trees thrive down here. They sure do add to the unique, enchanting landscape beauty.

VIEWS OF ST. GEORGE FROM A LOOK-OUT POINT (click on photos to enlarge, and scroll left to right, and top to bottom)

2008-02-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

Our poor deprived children...snow is rare down here, and it melts too fast

2008-02-04T18:06:00.000-07:00

Like I said earlier in one of my posts...we are too warm to get snow like the towns to the north of us. If by chance the snow DOES hit the lower elevations, it snows for only a short while and generally melts when it hits the ground. If the snow does cling to the ground...it amounts to maybe a light dusting (sometimes a little more) and melts within a couple of hours.

Yesterday afternoon our rain turned to rain and snow mixed, then turned into straight snow late last night. The snowing only lasted maybe one and one half hours but remained on the ground. It was a medium dusting of snow and pretty much stayed till the morning to give the children a treat.

Our children get really deprived of the snow living down here. IF they are lucky...they might get their ONE LITTLE snowman made, if they hurry outside and work quickly. The children are pretty determined to get their snowmen made even if it looks like there is not enough snow to get the job done. They scrounge around the ground and keep rolling that little ball of snow picking up dead grass, sticks, leaves, and pebbles along with the snow. They giggle and laugh and have a great time!!

Snow being so rare down here, it is really a novelty. Those of us who have moved down here to escape the snow and freezing weather of winters elsewhere, can relax when it DOES snow here...for we know it won’t last long and melts quickly. When the temperature is around 50 degrees....snow doesn’t have a chance of staying. But it is soooo fun to watch the children’s delight as they scurry outside BEFORE all the snow melts, to build their snowmen.

The photos above were taken today of the school playground by my house. As I went for my daily walk around the track today...this is the scene I beheld. It was 12:30pm and 49 degrees outside. The children were out for their lunch recess and were all busy with their hands in the rolled mounds of snow. It looked so funny because the ground all around them was brown grass.. I only wish I had been out earlier for the morning recess. I was told that there was a playground FULL of snowmen. What you see in the above photos is the left-over fun from the morning recess.

View of Pine Valley Mountain...taken less than 2 miles from my house

2008-01-28T15:58:00.001-07:00

Today was awesome

2008-01-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

Oh, what a luscious day it was! For nearly a week our temperatures have been cooler than usual. That generally happens when upper Utah is receiving any type of storms. It was about 62 degrees around 2 pm, slightly cloudy but sunny and nicely warm. When the temperature is like this, most everyone runs about in shirt sleeves...no jacket.

I went for my daily walk this afternoon that I generally take about 10 am. Because of my massage therapy session at noon, I did not go walking this morning. It was so pleasant and tremendously enjoyable for me today. I am fortunate to live within a block of an elementary school that has a track on it. This is where I take my walks. One time around the track is 1 and ½ quarter mile. Because I have neglected my daily walks for over a year now....I have to begin slowly again so as not to over-do. Three weeks ago when I made a new commitment to begin my walk exercise again, I only did one time around the track. Today I did three.

It is a nice asphalt track. With the school field on one side of the track and a very high wooden fence (to protect the privacy of the families living in the row of homes) on part of the other side of the track along with more field, it makes for a type of seclusion. Occasionally, depending on what time it is, the school children might be out on the playground for recess. But about three fourths of the track is away from the children’s play area, even though they play on part of the field closest to the school building.

As I walk around the track, I hear a few dogs barking at me from behind the wooden fence. It is fun to watch the children play, if they are out. But the most gorgeous part of my walk is seeing the mountain range all around me in every direction in the distance. Very, very close and looming up at us is the Pine Valley Mountain....the tallest of the mountains in our area. It is a pretty sight in the winter because it is generally covered with snow. Nothing else around us has snow. St. George as a rule, does not receive snow....we are too warm. If by chance we do get snow, it lasts a couple of hours and melts when it hits the ground....or in a few hours.

So all in all, today’s walk was extremely enjoyable....and I love to think and meditate while I walk. Very good therapy.

Our mountain beauty

2008-01-21T17:22:00.000-07:00

Living in a town that is literally surrounded by hills and mountains of all heights, I guess we sometimes can have a tendency to take our mountain beauty for granted.

The other day as I was traveling to the other side of our town heading towards another close neighboring town, the road I was traveling was through the hills...away from any traffic. I neglect sometimes to really take in the beauty that is before my eyes. I love to travel this road as it is always a serene, gorgeous drive with the many different scenes before and surrounding me, of red hills against the side of the road and mountains and other hills in the distance.

We have red soil here and it sure makes for a beautiful landscape against the hills. And the mountains in the distance...so striking with the various layers of hills and other mountains preceding each other in different color contrasts. Definitely a sight to behold!

Crows

2008-01-17T22:56:00.000-07:00

Crows seem to like St. George in the winter, too. While out walking two days ago at the elementary school by us, I saw about five crows ahead of me on the track. Generally in February is when I see more of them. They sit and fill the tree tops and make their wonderful cawing sound.

Click on this link to see a fascinating video of clever crows.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7329182515885554944

Tuacahn Amphitheatre

2008-01-09T22:59:00.000-07:00

TUACAHN is a spectacular natural outdoor amphitheatre just 10 minutes from St. George, in Ivins, Utah. The stage and high stadium type seating are surrounded by gorgeous 1500 foot red rock and vertical sandstone cliffs.

In 1993, Doug Stewart, noted playwright and St. George resident, stumbled upon the spot as he was searching for a location for an outdoor amphitheatre in the St. George area. “The stunning beauty and perfect surroundings stopped me in my tracks,” Stewart recalled. “I was brought to tears when I first stood there, and after taking it in for some time - envisioning an amphitheatre and stage with the awesome backdrop of 1500 foot red rock cliffs, and hearing the sounds of music echoing from the canyon walls - I literally flew back to town and straight to the county recorder’s office to see who the land belonged to.”

Through his efforts, a non-profit organization was established to raise funds for the construction of the Tuacahn Amphitheatre. Built on the 80-acre parcel at the base of Padre Canyon, adjacent to famous Snow Canyon, the facility is 42,000 square feet. The outdoor theater seats 2000 people, and opened in 1995. It is called the Broadway of the Desert, because every summer several musicals are performed on its stage.

The name Tuacahn comes from a Mayan word meaning "Canyon of the Gods."

Click on the link below..to take a unique virtual tour of Tuacahn and see a 360 degree panorama view of the stage and stadium seating area.

http://www.tuacahn.org/virtualtour.html

Too many eating places?

2008-01-05T01:50:00.000-07:00

With all the heavy construction and building going on here in St. George all the time, it amazes me with all the variety of eating places opening up. At one point I really felt like the community was overdoing it....I mean, do we really need all these myriad of food establishments?! The size, and range of variety of places to stop and eat are shocking, to say the least.

But over the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years holidays it was extremely unbelievable at how packed full EACH drive in and restaurant became. People sure like to eat out a lot!

We have a pretty steady growth rate here in Washington County. And even more so this past year. With so many, many hungry people out and about town....it is no wonder that our eating places are crammed full. Every one has their favorite place to go....and I sure have mine! I am so glad that Bajio, Lucky Buffet, Subway, and Del Taco....to name my favorites.....are here in town and so close to where I live!

With all these people (over 100,000), we need all these places to go and eat out and have fun and enjoy our self. We can shop, shop, shop... and eat, eat, eat...to our hearts content.

Unique, fun new store opened in St. George in November

2007-12-28T14:52:00.000-07:00

Much construction was going on within one half mile from where I live. This area of busy building took up a large, full 4 corner intersection. One particular building being constructed was an immense thing. I kept watching it’s progress, wondering what business it would turn out to be.

In the mean time, on the other corner I was more interested because it was the long awaited health food store near completion.

When I finally DID notice "that immense building" and that it finally had a name....it said “Tai Pan Trading Wholesale Home Decor”.

Well, since I am not much into home decor, I sort of ignored the newly opened business. At Thanksgiving we had several family members visiting and so the “girls” decided to check out Tai Pan. Well....were we in for a treat and a surprise!!! Everything you could imagine for uniquely and cutely decorating a home was inside that gigantic shell of a building. The center section of the whole store was devoted to just Christmas items....and at very reasonable wholesale prices!!

As of December 26, every Christmas item is at 50% off the already low prices. When they clear out the Christmas stuff....in will come the Valentine stuff. What a fun, fun store.

The interesting part of this is that I thought that Tai Pan was another one of those large chain stores that are throughout the U.S. Wrong!!! Tai Pan is currently only in Utah, with 3 store locations, at the time being. I went online and checked them out and this is the story of Tai Pan Trading Wholesale Home Decor store:

In 1977, a young BYU University (in Provo, Utah) student began selling for a particular company. He learned and saw many great opportunities for business and eventually started his own side-business. He bought a van and started importing and buying products for resale. The merchandise was warehoused in his basement and garage. His business grew, and he started Tai Pan Trading International. Eventually he needed more warehouse space so he moved his business into the basement of a building in downtown Provo. From there it moved to a warehouse in Midvale, Utah and then to a location in Sandy, Utah. Finally, Tai Pan found a home in Murray, Utah where the company would spend the next 15 years in a 52,000 sq. ft. building.

Tai Pan’s business was strictly done on a wholesale basis, selling to all sizes of retailers, such as Wal-Mart and R.C. Willey. It didn’t take long for Tai Pan to realize that the greatest future opportunity was to sell wholesale directly to the public, somewhat in the pattern of Costco.

In 2005, Tai Pan became known as Tai Pan Trading Wholesale Home Decor and opened its first retail store in a 100,000 sq. ft. facility in Sandy, Utah. Tai Pan’s presentation was a highly merchandised approach with a superstore level of variety, and an ambiance and charm of a small boutique. The wholesale to the public concept has gone over very well and subsequently, Tai Pan has opened two more stores. One in Clearfield, Utah, which opened in 2006, and the other located in St. George, Utah, which opened fall of 2007.

Check out their website at: http://www.taipantrading.com/index.html

If you MUST have snow......

2007-12-27T23:06:00.002-07:00

St. George climate is warm enough in the winter that we do not get snow...but other parts of Utah is famous for it's wonderful ski resorts. About 84 miles North East of St. George is beautiful Brian Head Ski Resort (see map farther down on this blog). Check out the following link for information:

http://www.utah.com/ski/resorts/brian_head.htm

Here is a link to other ski resorts in Utah:

http://www.utah.com/ski/resorts/

Here is a link to see a photo gallery of various Utah ski resort slopes:

http://www.utah.com/ski/phototour/

Golf, anyone?

2007-12-14T19:10:00.003-07:00

I don’t golf....never have. But we have lots of beautiful golf courses to choose from.

In relationship to its population, the St. George area offers more golf than any other place in the Sunbelt. The golf courses in the St. George area are known for their challenging designs, their well maintained fairways and greens, and their spectacular scenic features. This is a year-round golf community with eleven great courses within a 15-minute drive from each other. In fact, several of the top rated courses in Utah are found here.

With blue skies and very little wind, winter daytime temperatures are generally in the 55-to-65 degree range making for ideal conditions for a round of 18 or more. Many local hotels even offer golf packages in which they can confirm your tee times - weeks and even several months in advance.

I was a little unsure of what the Sunbelt (mentioned above) was. So I went online to find out. So the following is quoted somewhat from an internet encyclopedia:

Sunbelt...southern tier of the United States, focused on Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California. The term gained wide use in the 1970s, when the economic and political impact of the nation's overall shift in population to the south and west became conspicuous. Economic growth in many Sun Belt cities since World War II has stimulated interregional migration from the NE United States. During the 1990s the fastest growing cities in the United States were in the Sun Belt. The warm climate has attracted large retirement communities, especially in Florida, Arizona and southern Utah.

Mountain and desert beauty of St. George, Utah (double click on the photos to enlarge)

2007-12-11T23:50:00.001-07:00

This last photo is one of our eleven beautiful golf courses in the area.

Utah's World Famous Bonneville Salt Flats

2007-12-04T16:38:00.001-07:00

The Bonneville Salt Flats is located near the Utah-Nevada border, along I-80. It is one of the many unique natural features in Utah. It covers an area of more than 30,000 acres and it is administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

During the last Ice Age, about 15,000 years ago, Lake Bonneville was about the size of Lake Michigan. It covered one-third of present day Utah and parts of surrounding states. You can see traces of the shorelines, representing different levels of the receding lake, etched into the mountains surrounding the salt flats.

The Bonneville Salt Flats and the Great Salt Lake are what remains of ancient Lake Bonneville. Wind and water each combine to create the flat surface of salt. Every winter, a shallow layer of standing water floods the surface of the salt flats. Then during spring and summer, the water slowly evaporates while winds smooth the surface into a vast, nearly perfect flat plain.

The salt surface contains potassium, magnesium lithium and sodium chloride (which is common table salt).

Around 1824, Jim Bridger and other mountain men explored the Great Salt Lake desert region. The first recorded crossing of the desert was made in 1845 by Captain John C. Fremont's survey party, with scouts Kit Carson and Joe Walker. Early the next year, 23 year old Lansford Hastings retraced Fremont's trail across the salt plain. Joe Walker's writings warned emigrants not to attempt the untried route; however, Hastings convinced several emigrant parties to follow him.

Despite Walker's warnings, the Donner-Reed party, seeking a shortcut to California in 1846, attempted the "Hastings Cutoff". They failed to take enough water and lost a critical number of oxen. Four of their wagons were abandoned just 10 miles northeast of the salt flats. Time was lost, and the delay resulted in their late arrival to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and their tragic winter.

Later, in 1910, the first permanent crossing of the Bonneville Salt Flats was completed when the Southern Pacific Railroad was built linking Salt Lake City and San Francisco.

The Bonneville Salt Flats is named in honor of Captain B.L.E. Bonneville, whose expeditions in the 1830's proved the area was part of an ancient basin.

Try to imagine a place so flat you seem to see the curvature of the planet, so barren not even the simplest life forms can exist. Imagine the passing thunder of strange vehicles hurtling by on a vast dazzling white plain. This is not an alien world far from earth; it is Utah's famous Bonneville Salt Flats.

Thousands of visitors, commercial filmmakers, and of course, high speed auto racers, make the Bonneville Salt Flats a world famous destination. By way of information….one scene in the third film of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series was filmed on the Salt Flats (the scene was when the pirate ship Pearl was on this great white unending plain).

The salt flats' potential for racing was first recognized in 1896 by W.D. Rishel who was scouting a bicycle race course from New York to San Francisco. Rishel returned and convinced daredevil Teddy Tezlaff to attempt an automobile speed record on the flats. Tezlaff drove a Blitzen Benz 141.73 m.p.h. to set an unofficial record in 1914.

The salt flats drew international attention in the 1930's when Utah driver Ab Jenkins lured British racer Sir Malcolm Campbell to compete for speed records on the salt surface.

By 1949, the raceway on the Bonneville Salt Flats was the standard course for world land speed records. On this natural straightaway the 300, 400, 500, and 600 mile per hour land speed barriers were broken.

Since the first speed record attempts in 1914, hundreds of records have been set and broken in a variety of automotive and motorcycle classes.

Typically, speed trials are scheduled throughout the summer and fall at the Bonneville Raceway. Most events are open to the public. The annual Speed Week is usually held in mid-August.

We lack one important store in town......

2007-11-30T00:34:00.002-07:00

Everyone is Christmas shopping now, and St. George has stores and businesses galore. There is something new being built and opened all the time. It is fun and exciting to anticipate what new establishment is coming next.

But St. George lacks one important store, I feel. That store is a Toys R Us. We have one very small retail toy store and of course there are the toys within Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, and other similar stores. But I feel we NEED a larger toy store with greater variety and volume. Goodness….we have over 100,000 people living here, and lots of children who like toys.

Our phone book has pages and pages of listings for eating places….and only one listing for a small toy store. Toys R Us…..WHERE ARE YOU!!

Additional information about St. George

2007-11-27T15:17:00.000-07:00

image above...bird on snow (brrrrrr). Wouldn't this bird like to come to St. George in the winter and be a snowbird?

St. George is the most southwestern town in Utah and closest to the Nevada state line. It is only 119 miles from the famous city of Las Vegas and many travelers heading to the bigger city often stop by in St. George for a night or two.

In recent years, the St. George economy has boomed and with it brought an increase to the city’s population. Tourism is the greatest attributer to the economy of St. George and many come for recreation and sights.

St.George is famous for its “snowbirds”. These aren’t actually birds, but what is referred to as the people who come and spend their winters in St. George and then about March or April, they will go back to their regular homes in northern Utah and other places. The mild winter weather draws many senior citizens to move permanently to St. George or at least to become “snowbirds”.

With the city expanding steadily, it has plans to build a new, much larger airport by 2010, which will keep the flow of buyers into the region and increase the economic gains due to tourism.

I can't believe this weather!

2007-11-20T15:35:00.002-07:00

It is 3:30 pm. and our temperature outside at this moment is 72 degrees!

It is a down right gorgeous, shirt sleeve day. That is what is so therapeutic about living here in St. George....the beautiful fall and winter weather. Some days when I get into my closed up car, I have to turn on the air-conditioner for a few minutes....better yet I open my car windows and let the refreshing wind blow on me as I drive down the road. Heavenly!!!!

Utah's Dinosaur Land

2007-11-16T16:28:00.007-07:00

Yes, dinosaurs really did exist! And Utah can prove it.

Millions of years ago, all types of dinosaurs roamed across the landscape of what is now Utah. Literally thousands of actual remnants of this fantastic prehistoric era are carefully preserved and interpreted in sites, state parks, museums and quarries all across the state of Utah...just awaiting your discovery.
There are prehistoric sites and attractions throughout all of Utah....the northern part, northeastern part, central part, eastern part, southeastern part, and the southwestern part.
By visiting these dinosaur sites, you can see and learn how these fossilized remains have been protected and preserved. These prehistoric fossils and bones represent a priceless part of Utah's past, and these remnants are protected by federal regulations.

Interesting Facts....

**Digging up new types of dinosaurs allows paleontologists at Dinosaur National Monument in Jensen, Utah, to reconstruct the environment that the dinosaurs lived in. Each piece of information, from the types of rocks, to plant fossils, to remains of the frogs, lizards, and salamanders living at the same time as the dinosaurs, helps scientists describe what northeastern Utah looked like when the dinosaurs roamed.

**Fossils are remains or traces of ancient life. They provide the clues that paleontologists use to learn about prehistoric animals and plants. When a plant or animal dies, it usually decays or is eaten by other animals. However if it is buried before that happens, it may become a fossil. Hard materials, such as wood, bones, shells, and teeth have a better chance of being buried and fossilized because they decay more slowly than soft tissues like leaves or skin.

**The dinosaurs of Douglass Quarry, in Jensen, Utah, lived in the middle of the Age of Dinosaurs. They were one of nature's experiments that succeeded. The first dinosaurs survived, thrived, and ruled the earth for some 150 million years, while adapting to changing conditions. The early dinosaurs multiplied. Some grew larger, some began to walk on four legs, and others grew into different shapes. Each new feature.. a long neck or sharp teeth, or bony plates, if it helped the animal survive, was passed on to later generations. These features became the hallmark of each new kind of dinosaur.

**In order to be classified as a dinosaur, an animal must have...

1... hip, knee, and ankle bones that allow it to stand with its legs directly under its body.
2... a ridge on the upper arm bones.
3... jaw muscles that attach to the top of the skull.
4... three bones (that make up one side of the hips) that form an open socket for the thigh bone to fit in.
5... the second finger is the longest digit of the hand.

Dinosaurs in Southwestern Utah....

The St. George, Utah Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm.. http://www.dinosite.org/ Dinosaur tracks were discovered on the farm in February, 2000, and it has become quite an attraction. The site is in the early stages of scientific study - so far more than 1,000 tracks have been found within a 10-acre area. Most were made by Dilophosaurus-like creatures and are three-toes, 13-18 inches long. There are also some smaller tracks and researchers have identified skin prints and impressions made by tail drags and swimming movements.
The tracks were found in large slabs of sandstone from the Moenave Formation, dating back some 205 million years to the beginning of the dinosaur era. Residents tromped over that very sandstone for years, never realizing it sheltered such treasures. Nobody new, until Dr. Sheldon Johnson flipped over a slab while trying to level his land. There, on the underside, the tracks were clearly visible.
Most of the tracks are actually "negative impression" casts that appear as bumps on the stone. The area was the bottom of an ancient freshwater lake in the center of the super-continent Pangea. Footprints left in the mud filled with silt and sand, and more sand was deposited over the top. The mixture eventually solidified into sandstone and mudstone, forming the casts. Now, when the slabs are flipped over, the casts appear, much like Jell-o popping out of a mold.
Dr. Johnson donated his land to the city of St. George and the U.S. Congress appropriated funds to help construct a science and visitor center. Volunteers do most of the work at the site.

~ ~ ~ Readers please note: This article is part of a much larger article I wrote in the Story Pages section of Footnote.com.http://www.footnote.com/page/1586/utahs_dinosaur_land/ I used about 50 photos and I also write under a different name. I have about 25 stories that I have written on the Footnote website, so far.

The size and climate of St. George

2007-11-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

St. George is a very large city compared to the small country western town where I lived before. We are growing by leaps and bounds as people have discovered the area's great diversity of things to do and places to see. I am not sure of the current population....over 100,000 people and growing each day. We have constant construction of new buildings all the time...both homes and stores. Every store you can imagine!

Not that I like large cities, I really don't. BUT....I do love the dry climate here! And for me, that is the very big plus side of living here. I can't handle very cold, snowy winters. It makes my depression much, much worse. Living here in St. George provides the ideal winters for me. I would say the normal high temperature during winter hovers around 50-65 degrees. The average normal winter lows at night gets around 25-30 degrees (sometimes maybe a touch colder). Our summers DO get a little hotter than most places (110-115 degrees average). But a person gets use to it, and it is really not that bad after awhile.