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SALT LAKE CITY -- They say Paris in the springtime is lovely, and there are lovely songs written about it to back them up.
Whoopee. With gas prices as they are, we will be staying in-state for our vacation — not counting our visit to relatives in Pocatello. Fortunately, we chose to live in a pretty great state since, my child informs me, we can’t drive to France.
I have assigned my children to come up with a list of their favorite Utah places for spring break. We have stayed in state for vacations several years now, and they are becoming experts.
And the winner of the “most fun place to go in Utah for the springtime” is — Goblin Valley.
We have been to Goblin Valley so many times that they have named a hoodoo, a formation of mushroom shaped rock pinnacles, for my boy who uses it as base camp every year. There are thousands of these pinnacles, making it perfect for filling in as an alien planet in movies such as Galaxy Quest.
I am not a summer heat kind of guy, and Goblin Valley in the summer, frankly, is one giant oven — albeit a lovely and interesting oven — where the average daytime highs are in between 90 degrees fahrenheit and death, though the low humidity, high elevation and sparse vegetation makes evenings cool off rapidly to about 50 degrees, so you cook or freeze.
The temperate spring makes the fact that it is an hour and a half to a convenience store almost worth it.
Take your own food and beverages for a picnic and be ready for wind on the west rim overlook. The best place to eat is also the breeziest.
There is also a crowd factor in the summertime. At our last summer goblin excursion, there was a lot of waiting for folks from Canada or California to get out of camera shot, or to use the facilities. Springtime is just right.
If you can stand to go where no man has recently gone before, then my wife recommends ghost town hunting in southern Utah. There are ghost towns surrounding St. George and a nice one at the mouth of Zion’s where they filmed some of Sundance Kid. Watch for the sign carefully because the locals let ivy grow on it, and the bridge crossing the creek is for one vehicle only. (There wasn’t a line to cross, just us)
We stopped at Mountain Meadows, a sad place that could be considered a ghost town, but good for quiet reflection. We did this on our way to Hebron, said to be a spooky place with a pioneer cemetery. We saw the cemetery, but “spooky” was the town of Enterprise that didn’t have a 7Eleven.
Further east and south a bit, Slick Rock, outside of Moab, is great in the springtime as well. For the mountain bike enthusiast, go the longer scenic route —clearly marked. Novices take the shortcut, which I didn’t do, thinking I would show how in shape I was.
I don’t want to talk about it.
Utahs national parks spread throughout the state are, of course, wonderful to visit any time of year. If you are interested in returning back to your home without getting cooked, Zion, Arches and Canyonlands national parks, for example are Paris-lovely in the spring.
Chances are the weather will be wonderful — normal daytime temperatures are in the low 80s and sunny, so you will want to plan on bringing shorts, light shirts, a broad-brimmed hat and a whole lotta sunscreen. Beyond that, remember regular hiking gear, daypacks, boots, and lots of water, hiking sticks (or find your own while hiking), and a shell jacket for the possibility of rain.
Spring time activities in Utah’s parks run the gamut. The main attraction may be hiking with spectacular views and never-ending trails. Ever heard of Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Park Avenue, Canyonlands or Windows? All these are right off a trail.
Utah’s sand dunes dotting the state are a blast in the springtime for the same reason — they are not as hot. Get lost on one of them in the spring and you will live several days longer than in the summer time.
For those preferring a nice drive, something a little less feet-on, may we suggest the Alpine Loop in Utah county. Famous for autumn leaves in the fall, it’s much different in the spring with blossoms and greenery, and remember to slow down for the deer. In fact, slow down in general, and feel free to pull over and listen to a babbling brook full from the snow melt.
Cherry trees from Matsumoto — Salt Lake’s Japan sister city — along Capitol Hill's memorial walk, when in bloom are lovely, but even with the early spring causing the blooms to open early, the walk is still nice.
Who needs Paris with the flowers at Temple Square on dazzling display. According to Lloy J. Romrell, Head Gardner at Temple Square, something new is constantly blooming--tulips, Icelandic poppies and pansy’s for starters.
And tumbling water has never sounded lovelier on a nice stroll anywhere City Creek babbles — including both the canyon and the new City Creek Center.
Cheney writes, often humorously, at davisoncheneymegadad.blogspot.com
