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WILLARD — Utah is known for the best snow on Earth and lots of other great wintertime activities. This winter, things are quite a bit warmer than usual, and some are taking advantage of the unseasonable weather with some unseasonal recreation choices.
For Tyler and Chase Shaw, Friday was the perfect day for a little father-son bonding. Also a perfect day to take the boat out on Willard Bay.
"I had some funny looks coming down the road," Tyler said as he motioned to his boat. "The neighbors were questioning me like, 'what are you doing?’ ”
It's a time of year when most would expect to see skis and snowboards attached to a truck, not a boat being pulled behind one.
"This is the earliest actually," Chase Shaw said as he steered the boat out of the marina. "This is like St. George weather."
Just like St. George, albeit about 350 miles to the north.
"It's beautiful, blue skies and sunny," Tyler said. "Sure beats working."
But not everyone gets to take the day off. The warmer weather means more ground to cover for park rangers.
"It's a pretty strange year," ranger Travis Hancock said.
Especially strange considering Willard Bay is usually still covered in ice this time of year.
"We've had calls on the phone," Hancock said. "People asking if they can still come out ice fishing, and we're like, ‘no.’ ”
The water is still a chilly 50 degrees, but Hancock says the Shaws aren't the only ones out here enjoying it or choosing to stay above the water.
"Coming wakeboarding here this time of year is kind of unreal," Chase said right before he jumped into the water.
Though the ice fishers may have had a shortened season, wakeboarders like Chase are getting a head start.
"Come out, come fish and come camp," said Hancock. "Come do anything you would do in the spring. It's a good time to do it."
For the Shaws, the warm weather activities are just getting started.
"We're heading out to Antelope Island to horseback ride tomorrow," Tyler said.
