Tag: 2014

Green River, Dinosaur National Monument, Jensen, Utah

If we had more time at Dinosaur National Monument I would’ve loved to raft the Green River through the area. As a river guide in college, Mountain Dad introduced me to the world of inflatable kayaks and rafts, and although river trips still scare me, they can be a lot of fun.
We’ve run the upper section of the Green River near Flaming Gorge Reservoir in the past, where the water is fairly mild and the sheer rock cliffs on either side of the river make for some beautiful scenery. On this trip to Dinosaur National Monument, however, we had to make due with a picnic at Green River Campground and splashing in the water at Split Mountain Boat Ramp.
It was the perfect end to our Dinosaur National Monument adventure, because who doesn’t like to get their feet wet after a hot day the sun? The 2 mile one way River Trail also begins here, a lovely trail along the Green. For more info on rafting and hiking in Dinosaur National Monument click here.

Dinosaur National Monument, north of Jensen, Utah, border of Utah and Colorado

Last week I experienced something truly amazing – Dinosaur National Monument on the border of Colorado and Utah. The crowning attraction of Dinosaur National Monument is the world famous Quarry Exhibit Hall, a rock wall with more than 1,500 dinosaur fossils still embedded in stone.

I do not exaggerate when I say this should be one of the wonders of the world. Almost everyone has seen dinosaur skeletons in museums, but to see so many fossils still embedded in stone, the dinosaur remains in their final resting place – it was amazing.

This unique treasure was discovered in 1909 by Earl Douglass, a paleontologist who found a dinosaur spine literally sticking out of the mountain. Good thing he knew where to look.This area has many layers of fossilized remains due to its unique position as an ancient river delta. Dinosaur remains of stegosaurus, camarasaurus and diplodocus washed down river and congregated in one location, which later fossilized preserving the amazing wall of bone we have today.

Amazingly, since the skeletons of these dinosaurs are fairly common, and since nothing quite like this fossil wall exists elsewhere in the world, this tableau of history has been preserved as is for people to explore. The Quarry Exhibit Hall blew my mind, and the photos just don’t do it justice.

If you ever have a chance to visit Dinosaur National Monument, DO IT!

INFO:

Difficulty: Easy. A five minute shuttle ride from the visitors center transports guests to the recently renovated Quarry Exhibit Hall.
Time: 1 – 3 hours
Open hours: Summer 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Although Dinosaur National Monument is open year round, reduced staffing affects the Quarry Exhibit Hall schedule. Click here for more details.
Tips: Although the Visitors Center and Quarry Exhibit Hall are air conditioned, I would still avoid visiting here in the heat of summer. It’s a desert after all.

 

 

 

 

Firefighters Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser – Good Food for a Good Cause

I recently wrote a post for Sundance Resort’s Blog about their annual Firefighters Pancake Breakfast that was held this past Saturday. It’s a fundraiser that benefits the local North Fork Fire Department, our small emergency services provider. It was great to get to know my community fire fighting force a little better, especially since many of them are volunteers.

My neighbor has been the volunteer fire chief for the North Fork Fire Department for over a decade. Through that position he has trained for thousands of hours on first response, swift water rescue, technical ropes rescue, wildfire prevention and response as well as traditional structure fire response. Car accidents, medical emergencies, avalanche crises, he has dealt with all of these and more, all for free.
Last Saturday as I enjoyed the best pancakes of my life at Sundance Resort, I was happy to support this amazing group of people who work so hard to keep my home and family safe all year long.
Thank you to all the service men and women out there. Your sacrifice is greatly appreciated.

Baby Animal Season at This Is The Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City, Utah

I love springtime, especially as a mom. Not only does warm weather return, but flowers, gardens, and new baby animals offer countless opportunities to experience the outdoors with my tots.
During spring break I convinced my mom to have a grandma day at This is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City. I had never been there before but had heard that every year they have baby animals come to visit and I wanted to see some cute chicks. So my tots joined their cousins on a fun filled day in the past.


In addition to baby chickens, goats, pigs, donkeys and cattle we watched a rope maker pull rope, pounded prints into leather, learned about trapping and tanning animal skins, panned gold, rode on ponies, splashed in a fountain and took a train ride. I had no idea there was so much to do here!

This is the Place Heritage Park is an outdoor museum with buildings from the 1800s and people dressed in period garb. The location boasts a monument marking Brigham Young’s arrival in the Salt Lake Valley leading Mormon Pioneers in 1847. Reconstructed log cabins, homes, a farm, leather works, and the old Deseret Hospital are available for exploring at this State Park.

Of course my tots enjoyed the baby animals, but they also really liked riding the train and panning for gold. I enjoyed the fluffy chicks as well, but mostly I liked watching my kids’ reactions to them. Spring is the time for all things young and cute, including Big E and little g.

Information:
Park Hours
9:00 – 5:00 Monday – Saturday
10:00 – 5:00 Sunday
Visitor Center Hours
9:00-6:00 Sunday – Saturday
Admission
$11 adults, $8 kids and seniors, Free 2 years and younger Monday-Saturday
$5 adults, $3 kids and seniors, Free 2 years and younger Sunday

For more information click here for the This is the Place Heritage Park website.