Category: Book Club

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah

Last year I read Terry Tempest William’s memoir Refuge. It’s a beautifully written book about birds, loss, and cancer that takes place for the most part at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, just a short drive north of Salt Lake City, Utah. As a long time resident of the state, you would’ve thought I’d have visited the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge before now, but I hadn’t.

Our first stop on this adventure was at the visitors center, where little g and Big E explored the varied exhibits on bird habitat. Little g would not let go of my hand as she ran from one exhibit to the next and during the 25 minute introductory movie, she vacillated between climbing on the bench in front of us and pulling me out of the viewing area.

After the museum, we drove out to the 76,000 acres of protected land and drove the 12 mile one way gravel auto tour (open year round from sunrise to sunset). The refuge is an oasis for migratory birds that provides a source of food and shelter for millions of migratory birds each year. Even though our visit was in February (not a common time to go out bird watching) I was amazed by the musical sounds that resonated through the entire area. We saw geese, swans, seagulls and other water birds, and a beautiful sunset lit up the entire area.

My favorite part of the day was listening to the bird calls along the 12 mile auto tour. The honks, coos, chirps and whistles created a beautiful symphony of wild sounds and although we didn’t see any bald eagles (I was hoping) the trip was still fun and worthwhile. Next time I’ll bring along binoculars.

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Location: From I-15 Turn west off of exit 363 at Brigham City, Utah. Visitors Center is the first turn on the left.
Length: 12 mile auto tour
Time: 1-4 hours
Tips: Stop at the visitors center first and bring binoculars.

Deep: The Story of Skiing and the Future of Snow

You may have noticed a common theme on my posts for the last two months or so – snowboarding. While the warm weather months see me camping, hiking and traveling for various adventures, the winter keeps me close to home so I can enjoy the best sport in the world – snowboarding. I love the feeling of speeding down the mountain, floating through powder or trying new tricks in the park. On the list of things that bring me joy, snowboarding is at the top, second only to my family.

So last week, after taking a few runs at Sundance Resort I got in my car and heard a program on the future of skiing on RadioWest. It was depressing. On the show, Doug Fabrizio was interviewing reporter Porter Fox about his new book Deep: The Story of Skiing and the Future of Snow. According to Fox’s research, global warming and its effects could close up to half of the nations ski resorts in over the next thirty years. That’s my lifetime, my kids’ life.

I absolutely don’t want to see that happen. In general I’m an environmentally friendly person, (ignore the fact that I drive a big truck), but this news report makes me want to do more. Check it out and let me know what you think!

http://radiowest.kuer.org/post/skiing-and-future-snow

Book Review: Freestyle Snowboarding Tricks

For Christmas I got two great gifts from Mountain Dad. The first is a book titled Freestyle Snowboarding tricks, skills and techniques by Alexander Rottman and Nici Pederzolli. It’s a How-To book with detailed instructions on performing all sorts of snowboarding tricks.

The best part about this book is not the writing on each page, although it is informative and easy to read. What’s really interesting is the photography. It is awesome. Each skill presented is documented in split second sequences so you can imagine every movement needed to successful accomplish the trick. For example, the page describing a backside 180 on the snow shows the rider at each step of the rotation from riding in, putting weight on an edge, jumping off the tail, rotating in the air and finally landing. Even for those non-snowboarders out there Freestyle Snowboarding is an interesting book because the photography is so compelling.

The second great Christmas gift was the DVD 20 Tricks: An Instructional Video by Transworld Snowboarding features famous snowboarders explaining everything from Ollies to backside 900s. My favorite video is Jamie Anderson describing a Tailslide 270 out, which is a rotation off the end of a snowboard box, for those non riders out there. Each skill is its own short snipit on the DVD which allows for repeated watching of whatever trick you’re working on. I was inspired to try out some tricks because the professionals on the video make it look so easy.

Now, as you readers know, one of the 30 goals I made for my 30th birthday was to do a 360 on my snowboard. Well, I’ve been practicing and reading up in Freestyle Snowboarding and watching 20 Tricks.
I am happy to report that last Saturday I successfully completed the sloppiest, ugliest 360 you could imagine! It wasn’t great, but I did it!

I know what you’re thinking. It’s mid-March. The sun is shining, the weather is warm and I don’t have to wear snowboots everywhere I go. So why is Mountain Mom still talking about skiing and snowboarding?
Well, I just can’t help it. I love snowboarding. I LOVE IT!