At this time of year, many of us long for an Island escape. Fortunately, a placid island paradise is close at hand. Travel toward Layton, get off at Antelope Drive (Exit 332) and head west. From there it is a smooth seven-mile drive to the causeway that leads to Antelope Island. Antelope Island State Park, found in Salt Lake City’s own backyard, has something for everyone … [Read more...]
Fun Things to Do in Morgan County, Utah
Nested in a beautiful agricultural valley in the center of the Rocky Mountain region, lays the smallest county in Utah, Morgan County, with a total land mass of 610 sq. miles. But don’t let the small area fool you. Morgan sports an abundance of activity, wildlife, and recreation. According to “Mama Lake,” aka Theresa Lake, owner of the Morgan Mercantile, where you will … [Read more...]
What to Do for Fun in Cache County, Utah
“Cache County is unique,” explains Gina Worthen, Northeast District County Chair of Cache County. “It is both country and urban. Full of agriculture and open space, hiking trails and areas for recreation. It has a hometown feel,” she continues. “Each city has its own annual celebrations aimed at keeping their traditions alive.” Antique homes and buildings grace the streets … [Read more...]
Nine Best Things to Do in Box Elder County
Box Elder County sits at the northwest corner of Utah, and is full of surprises in its diversity of offerings. There is something for everyone, including science lovers, history buffs, nature enthusiasts, and patrons of the arts. “We have a taste of the country and a taste of the city. We love and embrace the cowboy life, ranching and farming spirit. We are very connected to … [Read more...]
The (Other) Oldest Profession: Storytelling in Utah
No, not THAT profession! Get your mind out of the gutter! It’s storytelling! Storytelling has been practiced since the beginning of time. It has been documented that there have been primitive civilizations who functioned without the use of the wheel and yet, they had storytellers. These storytellers of old were instrumental in passing on traditions, genealogies, songs, … [Read more...]
And They’re Off! Chariot Races in Ogden
"It's an adrenaline rush!" Fourteen-year-old Hutch Udy from Tremonton lights up as he shares his plan to continue in his family's 70-year old tradition of chariot racing. On a balmy winter day in Ogden, the Golden Spike Arena grandstand is filled with eager spectators awaiting the starting gate to open. "And they're off!" the starter shouts. Two chariots abreast, pulled … [Read more...]
Trappers and the Ogden Valley
Jim Bridger Spins The Yarn “One hundred Cheyenne warriors, arrows drawn, fire in their eyes, riding on the fastest mustangs you ever did see were right on my heels! I could feel the ground rumble as they chased me right into a steep canyon. I looked around at walls and Indians on every side. There I was, surrounded, boxed in ...” “What happened next, Mr. Bridger?” an eager … [Read more...]
#MeToo Pioneer Style
Stories of sexual assault, harassment and misconduct by politicians and people of influence seem to permeate the headlines with alarming increase. Unfortunately, many stories of this nature could almost be written on a template where only the names of the perpetrator and victims change. Consider the story of John W. Dawson, Utah’s third Territorial Governor. Although, it took … [Read more...]
Ogden’s Ghosts of Christmas Past
Many of Ogden's historic buildings in the area between Wall Avenue and Washington Boulevard claim the upper floors had been used as brothels during seedier times. Local legend suggests that the Woodmansee Building was no exception. When the working girls wanted the fellas on the street below to know they were available for “business,” they would drop beans out of the windows, … [Read more...]
Get Up Close with the Ghosts of Ogden
Often referred to as one of the most haunted cities in the United States, Ogden, Utah tends to embrace its ghosts; making this area a prime locale to run a ghost tour. Story Tours has provided Ogden and Salt Lake bus tours and Historic 25th Street ghost walks in Ogden since 2003. Ogden had its beginnings as a peaceful rural town settled by Mormon Pioneers. That changed when … [Read more...]