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John Hollenhorst reportingThere's a whole new way to see the scenery in Southern Utah. And it might even appeal to armchair adventurers and couch potatoes.
John Hollenhorst tried it out in Snow Canyon near St, George, and has this report.
It's a pretty smooth way to travel, considering the scenery is so rugged. Welcome to Snow Canyon via Segway, the two-wheeled marvel.
Erv Remmele/ Sunriver, Ore.: "I've driven through in a car, and no comparison."
Segway lovers refuse to call it a scooter. It's a high-tech personal transportation device.
Carl Landskron, Culver, Indiana: "Great. It's easy and fun."
Motors, gyroscopes and computers keep almost anyone upright and on track.
Erv Remmele/ Sunriver, Ore.: "Really enjoyed it. Little shaky still, but it's fine."
A St. George company has been offering daily tours along miles of walking trails in Snow Canyon. The owners got the idea when they rode Segways in Paris.
Rachel Stratford/ Segway of Southern Utah: "I loved them the first time I rode them and I knew that this would be perfect for this area."
The walking trails are mostly paved. In some places it's well-groomed gravel. A guide provides a narrated tour by helmet radio. It's definitely an extreme sport. Extremely easy.
So the customers tend to be on the far side of middle-age.
Carl Landskron/ Culver, Ind.: "It's not wearing yourself out like you do when it's hot."
Let's face it. Some of us aren't as young as we used to be, and when the knees start to go, well, this beats knee surgery.
Segway Guide: "Make sure you got a green light before you step on."
With a few minutes of instruction even the most extreme couch potato can learn to ride a Segway.
Rachel Stratford/Segway of Southern Utah: "They become part of you, so you can forget about what you're doing and just enjoy the scenery."
And maybe you'll even forget about the price-tag; $58 bucks for a two-and-a half hour tour. It's actually not bad, when you consider that one of these babies costs about $4,000 bucks, brand new. Now that's an extreme sport.
Beginning on Thursday, the company will expand operations into St. George itself. They'll be offering pioneer history tours of the city, by Segway.
