Ute Mountain Fire Lookout Tower

The Ute Mountain Fire Lookout Tower, built in 1937, is the last standing fire tower with living quarters in Utah. The views from the tower are amazing! The 360 degree view of  Ashley National Forest and the northeastern slope of the Uinta Mountain range are worth the visit. On a clear day you can even see Wyoming and Colorado.

Directions

From Manila, Utah turn South on UT 44 and drive 13 miles to Sheep Creek Geological Loop. 

Turn Left onto the Loop. Drive 2 miles to FS 221 and travel 1 mile to FS 55. 

Turn left and drive 1.3 miles until you come to the tower. 

Open June - September Fridays and Saturdays 10:30am-4:00pm.
There is an outhouse but no running water.

We suggest you pack a picnic and enjoy a little extra time on the Sheep Creek Geological Loop

Conestoga Ranch at Bear Lake

A few weeks ago our family was invited to go glamping at Conestoga Ranch at Bear Lake in Garden City Utah. Conestoga Ranch is about a 3 hour drive from Salt Lake City.

We stayed in a Conestoga Wagon. Our covered wagon had a comfy king size bed and two bunk beds. 
It was also furnished with bedding, towels, a small safe (the kind you would find in a hotel room), two lantern style flashlights, and two DC converters so you can charge your phone.

The wagons are set up in a wagon circle, in the center is a big fire pit with Adirondack chairs. No need to worry abut bringing matches, firewood, or stuff to roast marshmallows. The employees light the fire for you and they also supply you with a s'mores kit including sticks to roast the marshmallows. If you need extra there is a small shop on site where you can buy more (or anything else you may have forgotten to bring).
Each wagon has it's own picnic table and umbrella which is great for playing games, small crafts with the kids and of course eating.

The resort also has bikes and helmets to rent (free of charge),  a game tent, playground,volleyball net and more!

Unlike the grand tents that have their own in-tent bathroom, the wagons did not have a bathroom. No big deal, the bathrooms are really nice! They even supply shampoo, conditioner and soap. The bathrooms are a very short walk (less than a minute) away. They are located in the main building and are very private. They look like a bathroom you would find in a hotel room.

The picture above is the main building on the bathroom side. There are more bathrooms on the inner side of the barn style building.

We loved the on site restaurant, Campfire Grill.

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner so need to even worry about packing food. Unless you want to. We loved the dinner, especially the wood fired pizzas. Campfire Grill also has child friendly options that will make both parents and kids happy.

You don't have to be a guest of Conestoga Ranch to dine at the Campfire Grill, so if you are in the area stop by and check it out.

We really loved our stay at Conestoga Ranch and are already dreaming of our next trip there!

Fantasy Canyon

In North Eastern Utah, about an hour outside of Vernal you will find some very unusual geological formations that date back to 38-55 million ago. If you are in North Eastern Utah I recommend that you take a few hours and check out Fantasy Canyon.

During the hot summer months it is best to go early in the morning before the sun is at it's hottest. The trails are easy, it is only about a mile around but wear good shoes. Wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water.

You can find more information and directions to Fantasy Canyon here.

5 Best Bike Trails Near Salt Lake City

By Christensen and Hymas Utah Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Spring is on its way, and the time for searching out bike trails near Salt Lake is here! While some of the higher mountain trails may still be a little snowy, there are lots of great options closer to home. Here are 5 of our favorites:

Our Favorite Bike Trails near Salt Lake

Murdock Canal Trail

• We love this trail — a 17-mile paved path along Utah Valley. It has multiple points of access, from American Fork down to Orem. It features restrooms, water fountains, and early access.

Porter Rockwell Trail

• This trail runs about 10 miles from Sandy to Point of the Mountain. It winds through neighborhoods and along streets, and is great for a casual family ride.

Legacy Parkway Trail

• This is a 14-mile paved trail that never crosses any streets, allowing for a smooth, uninterrupted ride through the Farmington and Salt Lake areas. The Legacy Parkway Trail offers some great views of Utah’s spring scenery. Unfortunately, there is no restroom or drinking water access on the trail.

Denver and Rio Grande Western Rail Trail

• The Denver and Rio Grande Western Rail trail intersects the Legacy Parkway Trail. It is nearly 25 miles long and runs from Roy to Bountiful.

Jordan River Parkway Trail

• This trail also connects to the Legacy Parkway Trail, and weaves through Utah, Salt Lake, and Davis counties. It is the longest trail on our list, stretching for over 40 miles. Construction and gaps can make the trail difficult to follow, but Salt Lake County offers a map to help you navigate.

The Best Bike Trail in Utah that Should be Paved

Deer Creek Parkway Trail

This trail begins at Cascade Springs on the Alpine Loop and continues over the mountain past the Soldier Hollow Olympic Site to the Dear Creek Dam Trail head. It runs for about 8 miles from the Utah to Heber Valleys. It is currently unpaved, but we think it would make a great paved trail for all types of cyclists. Currently, cyclists have to travel around Deer Creek Reservoir to get from Utah County to Midway and Heber, but this road has a narrow shoulder and cars traveling at fast speeds.  Paving the Deer Creek Parkway would protect cyclists and allow for some epic rides throughout multiple counties.  

________________________________________________

Ken Christensen and Russ Hymas are Utah Bicycle Accident Attorneys at Christensen & Hymas . A large portion of their practice is dedicated to helping cyclists injured in collisions with motor vehicles. They are avid cyclists and nationally recognized legal experts on cycling laws and safety. 

Utah Summer Adventure Ideas

Hello!  We are Harmony, Stephanie and Melinda from The Salt Project.  Between the three of us, we have 11 kids, yes, it's crazy. We feature things to do in Utah with kids. (Most things we write about are still cool to do without kids too.) We host weekly giveaways on Wednesday, so be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and occasionally twitter! You don't want to miss out on our Weekly Newsletter either, sometimes, we host special giveaways to just our subscribers!
Summer is here! Holla! We've rounded up some of our favorite places and would love to see your summer adventures. Tag #thesaltproject so we can follow along.

Antelope Island | Layton, Utah

Antelope Island is so much more than just a place you visit when you are in elementary school. Hiking, biking, swimming, exploring the ranch, birdwatching and watching for wildlife are just a few things that our kids love to do.

Ogden River Walk | Ogden, Utah

One of our favorite, shady places is the Ogden River Walk that runs along the Weber river.  You can bike, roller blade or walk down the paths. If you start out by Weber Canyon you can try some of the delicious Mormon Muffins, or check out Slackwater Pizza on the other end. Lorin Swimming pool (where the famous Sandlot movie was filmed) and skate park are located in the middle of the paths. You can fish or just wade through the river. Plus, Fort Buenaventura is one of the stops and they host a yearly Mountain Man Rendezvous!

Gilgal Sculpture Garden | Salt Lake City, Utah

Tucked in the heart of Salt Lake is a slightly odd sculpture garden. If you have a few minutes be sure to stop by or even take a picnic.

Home Depot Workshops for Kids | Your Local Home Depot

Free craft, free apron, free pin, free fun!  The kids love these! Held once a month, you'll want to check out the craft and sign up your kids!

Crystal Hot Springs | Honeyville, Utah

Hot or cold weather, rain or shine, the Crystal Hot Springs is a favorite place. Bring your swimsuit and be prepared to go down the water slides. They also have camping spots too.

Nicholls Castle Park | Kaysville, Utah

This park is just off Highway 89. It's a great park for kids of all ages. We love picnicking and walking along the Bair Nature path just below the park.

Dinosaur Park | Ogden, Utah

Along the Ogden River Walk is the Dinosaur Park! Inside is an awesome museum and outside is an even greater park. Walk among the dinosaur or slide down a prehistoric tree! Dig for dinosaurs and take a picnic.

Museum of Natural Curiosity | Lehi, Utah

This place is crazy cool. Rope Courses, wind tunnels, kidtopia, zip lines, beautiful flowers, mazes, you'll want to spend a whole day here with your kids for sure.

Ogden Nature Center | Ogden, Utah

Hikes, classes, raptor birds, bear den, this place has it all. Be sure to stop and walk through the bird house displays.

The Food Truck League | Salt Lake City, Utah

Food trucks are all a rage and we love em too! The Food Truck has Monday Round-Ups and now Friday Nights in Bountiful. Be sure to follow their social media to see what trucks are coming to the Round-Ups.

Pineview Reservoir | Huntsville, Utah

Utah is so awesome. 20 minutes from Ogden is a beautiful Reservoir with sandy beaches and amazing views in the valley. Be sure to check out this free beach we found!

High Adventure Park | Ogden, Utah

This park is not just for kids. It's totally a park for adults too. It's also along the Weber River.
We're super excited for summer fun and all the Utah has to offer! Get out there Utah!

Resolve to Eat Better Donuts in 2014: Station 13 Texas Donuts

Last week The Wife and I discovered a hidden gem in Utah County. Station 13 Texas Donut's is a bright and cheerful family run donut shop. It is operated by a staff of about 10 employees that includes the obligatory mom & pop (& daughter) of any good small business. The shop is spacious and has an open feel that is completely decked out in firefighter gear. You can even don "retired" firefighter suits, boots, and helmets should you so desire yourself. Station 13 also offers a drive through, in case you need your donuts on the run. 

 
To the hole of the matter: the donuts. Stations 13's donuts (yeast and cake) are handmade and it shows. Station 13's donuts will not be xeroxed clones of one another--they will have slight esthetical imperfections. These flavorful flaws are the badge of honor for custom crafted delicacies. The Wife and I were also shown a neat little trick you can use to tell if your donuts are truly quality. If you pull the doughnut apart, a quality donut will tear apart fairly easily; while your frozen and reheated grocery store types will want to resist the break, and will rip apart. This nugget of knowledge may come in useful when delving into one Station 13's best sellers, the Texas Donut, which is about the equivalent of 5 regular-sized treats. Station 13 has an impressive line-up of donuts, and are always tinkering with new concepts. Of the handful we tried, our favorites were the Toasted Coconut (hers), and the Apple Fritter (mine). If you happen to miss a favorite during the week, be sure to visit on Saturday when all varieties are rolled out. Unlike many competitors Station 13 is open until 7PM. For your late day visits, try the Crio Bru brewed cocoa, which is produced right here in Utah and fittingly enough is caffeine-free. Well mostly. It's made with the most magic beans of all. Cocoa beans.
 

Station 13's is fast becoming a local favorite, not only in Lehi, but as far as Beaver, UT where one die-hard fan makes a weekly 170 mile pilgrimage to 13's to pick up his standing order. After trying Station 13's donuts, you will understand the 170 miles isn't that far.  The admiration is mutual, and Station 13 reciprocates the appreciation every day by offering uniformed firefighters, police, and the Armed Forces a 50% discount, making it a popular hangout for breakfast group clubs.
 

Station 13 Texas Donuts
Where: 1325 E. Main St. Lehi, UT (across the street from Culvers). 
When: Monday-Saturday 6AM-7PM, closed Sundays.
Who: Homer Simpson
Why: 801-327-9385
What: Donuts, Coffee, Smoothies, Kolaches, Hot Chocolate, Italian Soda, etc.

Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal Utah

Don't let the plain exterior fool you, the Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal Utah  is lots of fun. The 22,000 square foot museum has exhibits both inside and out. 

One of my favorite things and has been a favorite since I was little, is the life size dinosaur garden. My son loved this part too! The garden has 17 full sized replicas.

The Natural History State Park Museum is full of interactive exhibits that both children and adults will love.

 

We loved the wall of fossils. 

Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum

496 East Main Street

Vernal, Utah 

(435) 789-3799

Hours: 9:00 am-5:00pm Monday through Saturday

Adults $6 (seniors $3)

Children $3

Children 5 and under free


Have you been to the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park in Vernal? What did you think?
 

Rowley's South Ridge Farms Big Red Barn

A visit to South Ridge Farm's Red Barn in Santaquin Utah is must, especially this time of the year.  They have fresh apples, peaches, corn on the cob and so much more.  The store also features delicious jams, jellys, candy, gifts and gift baskets and delicious ice cream.  Make sure you take home some of their fresh apple juice too.

Each fall they feature hayrides to the pumpkin patch to pick out your own pumpkin.  The hayrides started last weekend. They run each weekday from 3:30 - 8:00 pm.  

If you don't get a chance to head out there, they also sell dried fruit, preserves and more at their online store.

Rowley's Red Barn

In Santaquin

Take I-15 to Exit 242 and go west to the Frontage Road (now named South Ridge Farms Road) and go north one mile - just look for the Big Red Barn!

 

Store Hours 

April 1st to December 31st- Monday-Saturday  9:00 AM to 9:00 PM 

January 1st to March 31st- Monday-Saturday  9:00 AM to 7:00 PM 

Closed Sundays