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Oct 02
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Kayaking Lake Mead_Lydia Martinez

Leaving Las Vegas: Escape the Bright Lights of the City and Explore Outside

By Adventures, Travel

Fall in Las Vegas is the perfect time to escape the crowds, the lights and The Strip and venture outdoors to the desert. The weather is Goldilocks perfect, and plenty of adventures can be had within 60 minutes of the city. The best part? What happens outside of Vegas doesn’t have to stay in Vegas. Share all you like. Your Instagram feed will thank you.

No. 1:  Art in the Desert

Las Vegas Outdoors
Seven Magic Mountains is just 10 miles south of Las Vegas. Photo by Lydia Martinez.

Visit the colorful, stacked monoliths created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. Seven Magic Mountains is a large-scale public art installation just 10 miles south
of Las Vegas. The neon totems, made of giant stacked boulders, are 30+ feet high and stand against the backdrop of distant mountains and in contrast to the stark desert atmosphere. Enjoy photo opportunities galore. And bring lots of water. sevenmagicmountains.com

No. 2:  Tour an Abandoned Gold Mine

The Techatticup Mine is Southern Nevada’s oldest and richest Gold Mine. It produced so much gold (1861–1942) that steamboats came along the river to load up on the ore. The mine tour is the perfect way to escape the heat into the cool air of the mine, where you’ll learn about the geology, history and people who lived and worked there. Reservations are required. eldoradocanyonminetours.com

No. 3: Kayak the Colorado River

Book a tour with Evolution Expeditions for a 3-hour tour of the dam-locked Colorado River between the famous Hoover Dam and Eldorado Canyon. The river is smooth and easy to navigate. Paddle past historic sites and venture into the Black Canyon narrows to explore the river. Your guide will teach you to back your kayak into the famous Emerald Cave to get some stunning photos of the emerald-green water. On the way back, stop at Hoover Dam for sunset photos. evolutionexpeditions.com

No. 4. 2: Visit a Historic Ghost Town

Goodsprings Ghost Town boasts 120 years of history and dozens of historic buildings. From the old schoolhouse to the social hall, you can take a self-guided tour through the town, wrapping up at the Pioneer Saloon, the oldest bar in Southern Nevada (opened in 1913). Get the famous POLTERGEIST Burger with famous ghost sauce (derived from ghost chilis) and a dash of Old Man Liver’s house-made Yummy As F**k Sauce. pioneersaloonnv.com

Las Vegas Outdoors
Goodsprings Ghost Town offers history and the Pioneer Saloon (below) is still open for business. Photo by Lydia Martinez.

No. 5:  Go for a Day Hike

Before the Hoover Dam was constructed, a railroad was built to transport materials to the site, complete with 5 tunnels burrowed through the mountainside, each one totaling
300 feet in length and 25 feet in diameter. It has since been turned into the Historic Railroad Trail (a 3.7-mile hike) with a beautiful overlook of Lake Mead. Walk through the giant tunnels and enjoy the signage along the trail to learn about the area’s history, geology, flora and fauna. Visit at sunset for stunning painted desert views and cool air. nps.gov/lake

Sep 27
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Salt-Lake-City-Mt_Large-1

Three Fall Hikes Near Salt Lake City

By Outdoors

Take a gander at the mountainsides around Salt Lake City and you’ll see the reds and yellows starting to pop, which means only one thing: leaf peeping season is officially here! As any seasoned leaf peeper will tell you, the vibrant hues are fleeting, so get out there while the getting’s good. These three fall hikes near Salt Lake City are perfect for getting up into the mountains and soaking in the fall colors before shoulder season’s mud and cold come to call.

Silver Lake to Bowhunter Loop at Deer Valley

Difficulty: Medium
Dogs: Permitted On-Leash
Highlights: High-Elevation Meadow and View from Bowhunter Loop

Just a short drive up Interstate 80 is Park City, where you’ll be able to enjoy resort town access to trails and amenities without the typical crowds this time of year. This hike to the top of Deer Valley’s Bald Mountain starts at the resort’s mid-mountain Silver Lake Lodge, easing your trek to the high-altitude aspen trees a bit.

Drive past downtown Park City on Deer Valley Drive before heading up Marsac Ave. to the parking garage at Silver Lake Lodge. From there, access the Silver Lake trailhead just past the Homestake Express chairlift. Now for the hard part. Ascend nearly 1,300 feet through twisting, root-covered singletrack towards the top of Bald Mountain. You’ll pass through massive, golden aspen groves with periodic scenic overlooks over the Jordanelle Reservoir before reaching the the summit.

From there, descend on the snaking Ontario Canyon trail through a field of crimson scrub oak into a high-mountain meadow will fall wildflowers. A short way further, take a left on the Bowhunter Loop. Complete a clockwise loop on the undulating trail before returning the way you came, up Ontario Canyon and down Silver Lake until you reach the lodge.

Fall Hikes Salt Lake City
Yellow Aspen trees make for a stunning fall hike. Photo courtesy of Austen Diamond, Utah Office of Tourism.

Broads Fork Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon

Difficulty: Hard
Dogs: Not Permitted
Highlights: 270-Degree Views of Dromedary, O’Sullivan and Twin Peaks

Upper Broads Fork is home to some serious alpine terrain, and along on the way, you’ll be treated to some gorgeous high-elevation forests, meadows and waterfalls. Start by driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon on UT 190 for four and a half miles and park just below the s-curve.

The trailhead is just past the picnic area, where you’ll begin an ascent of more than 2,100 feet in just over two and a half miles. It’s common to see moose on the trail this time of year. Everyone loves posting moose pictures on social media, but be sure to give them ample distance.

While climbing the steep, heavily-forested trail, you’ll pass by a couple small falls before ultimately reaching your turnaround point in a rocky meadow with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Some of the Wasatch’s most imposing mountains, including Dromedary, O’Sullivan and the Salt Lake Twins form an awe-inspiring natural cathedral. After you’ve had your fill of views, return the way you came back to the trailhead.

Ferguson Canyon to Overlook

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
Dogs: Permitted On-Leash
Highlights: Overlook Views of Salt Lake Valley

The trail up Ferguson Canyon rewards hikers with incredible views of the Salt Lake Valley and mountain cirques similar to those in the Cottonwood Canyons, but since it’s not part of the Salt Lake City Watershed you’re allowed to bring your four-legged companions along.

The trailhead is located just past Big Cottonwood Canyon Road off of Wasatch Blvd. Take a left on Prospector Drive just past the 7-11, then an immediate right to continue on Prospector and finally a left on Timberline drive where the trailhead is. Start by heading up the gravel road past the water tank before heading straight up the canyon.

The trail rises some 1,500 vertical feet into the Twin Peaks Wilderness, and is lined with rock buttresses that are popular among rock climbing climbers. Thirsty pooches will appreciate several natural springs along the way. In about two miles, you’ll reach a rocky outcropping with expansive views back over the Salt Lake Valley. Most people will turn around here and head back down the way they came, though truly hearty hikers can continue up the increasingly steep trail for another mile and a half to reach the ridge and climb to the top of Storm Mountain.

See all our outdoors coverage here.

Sep 26
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St George Marathon_SLM SO24_ City of St George

Discover More Than Just the Race During the St. George Marathon

By Travel

Salt lake resident Stuart Graves has run a whopping 47 marathons worldwide. Although he still runs every day, his marathoning days are behind him (“I can’t even imagine doing a marathon again.”) He has fond memories of the St. George race which was extra special because the course gave him two of his fastest times and was the marathon that qualified him for the pinnacle of distance running The Boston Marathon, which he’s run twice.

Stuart says that the course is popular with runners around the world precisely for that reason. “It’s known as a fast course and is a sanctioned Boston qualifier, so people come from all over to run it,” he says. 

Its setting in the red rock country of Southwestern Utah provides a dramatic backdrop for the 26.2 miles. “You are running past lava fields, stunning red rock formations,” he says. And, because the course has a good elevation drop (hence faster times), it provides stunning views the entire way. It also helps, he says, that the race is in the fall. This year’s date is set for Saturday, Oct. 5. “But it’s still pretty warm even that time of year,” Stuart says.

“It’s definitely not all downhill,” he cautions. “There’s a butt kicker of a hill near Veyo for example but it’s an otherworldly setting to run in.” And, after the race, it’s easy to take recovery hikes in nearby Snow Canyon State Park, take a dip in the reservoir at Gunlock State Park or venture to Springdale and Zion National Park.

We asked Stuart for some suggestions on creating a complete marathon weekend down south. 

Find your Base

The Advenire, Autograph Collection (marriott.com), is a boutique hotel in downtown St. George’s small historic district. The Advenire’s blend of modern elegance and historical charm create an excellent base to get some quality sleep before race day. The Red Mountain Resort (redmountainresort.com) in nearby Ivins, is another option that includes a focus on wellness and spa services to help you calm your nerves before or recover after the marathon. Stuart also says runners can consider staying in Cedar City, about an hour north of St. George. “I never really sleep the night before a marathon,” he says. “And rooms fill up fast in St. George so one year, I just got up an hour earlier and made the trip down from Cedar City.” 

Pre-Race fuel

The St. George Marathon is a draw for runners because it is a downhill course (mostly) and a Boston Marathon qualifier. Image courtesy of City of St. George.

The day before the race, get lunch at Riggatti’s Wood Fired Pizza (riggattis.com), where the thin, crispy crust and fresh ingredients create a perfect balance of flavors. The spinach and ricotta pizza, paired with a crisp Caesar salad, is an excellent choice for a light meal.

For dinner, try Cappeletti’s (cappelettisrestaurantstgeorge.com), a cozy Italian restaurant located in the heart of St. George. Pasta dishes, like Fettuccine Alfredo are carb-heavy splurges. 

The Marathon

Race day comes early. St. George is an out-and-back race where runners are bussed to the starting line. “It’s a nice feature of the route,” Stuart says. “Even though you have to get up earlier, it’s much nicer running back into town, rather than a loop, which means you have to run the same terrain twice.” The marathon route shows off the majestic red rock formations outside of St. George and as you return to the town and finish line, the route is lined with cheering crowds. “Even though this is a big race, it still feels like a small town and the crowds are so supportive,” Stuart says. 

Post-Race Indulgence

Celebrate your accomplishment (hopefully) with a post-race feast at Cliffside Restaurant (cliffsiderestaurant.com). Perched atop a hill, the restaurant offers breathtaking views of St. George and the surrounding desert. Spoil yourself with the surf and turf—a Ribeye steak and a fresh seafood platter, washed down by a refreshing Mojito. The sunset over the red cliffs is the perfect end to a marathon day.  

Sep 24
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AdobeStock_235137378

Four Adventures to See Utah’s Fall Colors

By Adventures

Sometimes I think Salt Lakers and Utahns in general don’t know what to do with fall and Utah’s Fall Colors. Everyone plays so hard here—at first powder, we hit the slopes, we ski downhill and cross country, we snowshoe, we ride, we hike, we eat melty cheese and drink stout beer. We’re experts at bundling up and going at it, having fun with all our might. In summer, we SUP, we raft, we ski, we swim, we fish, we camp, we hike.

So in this in-between season, what should we do? I suggest we observe. Slow down a little (not too much) and really see the transition happening. Here are four great ways to see Utah’s Fall Colors from a different perspective. With just a touch of adventure, of course.

Take a helicopter ride and gain a whole new perspective. Look down on all the landscape you’ll be riding across this winter. See the colors of the changing leaves from above, like the Lord does. Wasatch Adventure Guides offers daily helicopter tours of the Wasatch range, Antelope Island and Utah’s majestic Mighty Five National Parks. Tickets begin at $350. Make your reservation on their website.

Can’t sit still? Take a ZipTour at Sundance Mountain Resort, one of the most exciting and scenic zip tours in the world, boasting over 2,100 feet of vertical drop — the most of any zip line tour in the United States. Guests can ride side-by-side on the zip line’s double cables and control their speed, cruising up to 65 miles per hour, or stopping mid-air to take in the views. In late October the resort also offers a special Halloween lift that riders can bundle with their zipline tour. Tours available 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Prices range from $79-$129.

Enjoy Bavarian Cuisine on a Mountaintop. Prost. Snowbasin Resort hosts Utah’s newest Oktoberfest celebration every Saturday and Sunday now through October 6th. The German-inspired beer festival showcases local Utah breweries, Bavarian food, music and a local vendor market—all against the brilliant backdrop of Autumn foliage. Entry is free for season pass holders, $10 for a single-day pass.

Take a guided nature hike at Solitude. Leaf peeping season comes and goes far too quickly, make the most of the fleeting scenery with a free guided hike at Solitude. Starting at 10:15 a.m. every Saturday through September, hikers will ride Sunrise chairlift into the mountains and make their unhurried descent while a guide points out wildlife and surroundings. The tour is free, but a valid lift ticker or season pass is required.

Sep 18
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Newport Beach

Explore The Buttoned-Down Beach Town of Newport

By Adventures, Travel

Newport Beach is just 20 minutes north of another iconic Orange County beach town, Laguna Beach. But they are worlds apart. Laguna Beach is the silhouette of a tousle-haired blond emerging from the surf as the sun sets. Newport Beach is a handsome couple, clad in Dolce and Gabbana, climbing out of an Escalade. Laguna is track one, side one of The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds.

Pirate’s Cove is known for being calm and waveless, making it a good place for families to swim.
Photos courtesy of Visit Newport Beach.

Newport is Yacht Rock. The energy in Newport is upscale, the hedges are manicured and the scene oozes style. But don’t let the flash fool you. This is still a beach town, with plenty of sun, sand and nautical adventures to be had. (It just has better shopping.) As winter looms here in Utah, consider the short flight from SLC to John Wayne Airport for your fall getaway and explore the good life. 

Newport’s Ship Comes In

Newport’s name comes from a brave (or foolhardy, decide for yourself) nautical feat. After the Civil War, western migration spiked and many emigrants settled in the area looking for agricultural land. Access to the sea (and important supplies) however, was made difficult by the narrow and shallow opening to Newport Bay, then called San Joaquin Bay. In 1870, an intrepid merchant marine named Captain Samuel Sumner Dunnels successfully dared the channel, with a 105-ton, flat-bottomed steamer loaded with lumber and supplies from San Diego. Dunnels proclaimed that he had discovered a “New Port” and there you have it. Dredging and widening of the channel in the early part of the 20th century made the bay entry less dangerous, and, for a time, Newport was a major shipping port on the coast before rail arrived and major shipping moved north to San Pedro. This was fortuitous and changed the town’s trajectory from heavy industry towards tourism and leisure. The wide bay became a port of call for the pleasure craft of the wealthy. Yacht rock, baby.

Bar Pendry at Pendry Newport Beach.
Photos courtesy of Bar Pendry.

Stay: Pendry Newport Beach

For a taste of Newport’s well-heeled lifestyle stay at Pendry Newport Beach (pendry.com) a newly renovated luxury hotel located near Newport’s iconic shopping center, Fashion Island. You’ll be welcomed with the hotel’s signature Pendry drink (every Pendry has a non-alcoholic refresher to greet guests).

Protip: Use the codeword “Daffodil” at the bar and they’ll kick it up a notch with a top-shelf spirit. Remember. You are not in Utah anymore.

Pendry Newport Beach is a full-service hotel with an emphasis on service. A fleet of staffers is deployed around the hotel to ensure no request is too small or too big. After check-in be sure to visit (or revisit) the Bar Pendry. Hotel bars can often be dreary, populated with bored spouses and business travelers hunched over laptops. This hotel bar, however, is hopping with live music and a solid bar menu. Since Pendry’s renovation, it has become a popular spot with actual Newport Beach locals, who are a friendly, convivial bunch. 

Play:  Explore the California Coast

You came here for the water, right? The best way to get into the Newport vibe is to book a Whale Watching tour with the guiding outfit Newport Coastal Adventure (newportcoastal
adventure.com). The coast beyond the harbor is teeming with ocean life. Dolphins and whales await as you zoom around the ocean in a zippy Zodiac with narration and marine science banter flowing from your crew. (On a recent trip we saw many humpback whales and enjoyed a rare sighting of a blue whale, the big mamma! Also, lots of frolicking dolphins). 

Newport Coastal Adventure and other outfitters offer whale-watching tours via Zodiac, a small craft that moves fast. Photos courtesy of Visit Newport Beach.

Eat & Drink:  Dining from lux to Comfort

Fuel up for (or conclude) a shopping trip to Fashion Island at Joey Newport (joeyrestaurants.com) with a great happy hour and an open patio that features a bar and retractable sections of the roof. Enjoy the coastal air and a glass of well-deserved champagne around the outdoor fire pit. Find a farm-to-table breakfast and water views at Malibu Farm Lido (malibu-farm.com) known for its fresh, organic and local ingredients. The opposite of Malibu Farm Lido would be Breakfast at Wilma’s Patio (wilmaspatio.com), a classic diner in the older part of Newport featuring a selection of “Balboa Bombers” a mess of eggs, meat and hashbrowns served in a hollowed-out sourdough bread bowl. Enjoy an elegant lunch on the outdoor patio back at Pendry Newport Beach at the hotel’s signature restaurant, SET: Steak & Sushi (setnewport.com). Finally, for a scenic (and delicious) experience, book a harbor tour on a Duffy Boat with Sea Señorita (seasenoritaduffy.com). Duffy boats are small all-electric boats that ply the harbor and can host floating parties for, say, bachelorettes or friend-tribe trips. In our case, we concluded our tour at the dock outside of Blue Water Grill (bluewatergrill.com) an excellent seafood restaurant with the requisite seasonal fish, oysters, clams and crab on the menu.  

Photos courtesy of Visit Newport Beach.

The One and Only Crystal Cove State Park

Amid all the finer things in life found in Newport Beach, there is a special scruffy little gem preserved from another time. Crystal Cove State Park (crystalcovestatepark.org) is the site of a handful of beach shacks that were “built” in the 1920s. We put that in quotation marks because these are improvisational structures. The small community used whatever they had on hand to enhance these bric-a-brac buildings, which often began as “kit homes” bought from the Sears & Roebuck catalog. The site became a popular movie location for films like South Pacific and Beach Blanket Bingo, with its most well-known turn in the movie Beaches. (One of the cabins was the location for the film’s heart-wrenching ending.) You can visit the park, a lovely cove with surf to splash in, tidal pools to explore and waterside dining where you can witness the daily happy hour raising of the martini flag at the Beachcomber at Crystal Cove (thebeachcombercafe.com). (Motto: “Every night is Saturday night, and Saturday night is New Year’s Eve. Come raise the flag with us!”) But the Taylor Swift ticket here is scoring a reservation for one of the cabins and spending the night. The booking system is administered by California State Parks and is much like reserving a public campsite. It’s first-come-first-served, you get what you get, with spots opening on a rolling window, allowing reservations up to six months in advance. Try your luck at reservecalifornia.com.

Sep 12
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Woman hiking through Zion Narrows_SLMSO24_AdobeStock_1450755

Explore Zion National Park in the Fall

By Adventures, Outdoors

Of the five National Parks in Utah, Zion (not “Zion’s”) is the most-visited. It drew 4.6 million visits in 2023 (only slightly less than the Grand Canyon’s 4.7 million). The park’s popularity makes visiting in peak season, well, kind of a bummer. The peak of those visits happens from April through early September. This makes late September and October two of the best times to explore. Temperatures cool and the crowds thin out. There will be other visitors for sure (especially on the Instagram-bucket-list hike Angel’s Landing, which requires a permit for only the latter half of the trail.) But it’s much easier to find spaces of solitude. Take for example, the second most popular hike in the park, The Narrows (pictured above). This “hike” is a scramble up the Virgin River. The area near the trailhead is busy, but fortune favors the bold. The further you go upriver, the less folks there are. To tolerate the cold water, rent a Narrows hiking package from Zion Adventure Company (zionadventures.com) or Zion Outfitter (zionoutfitter.com). They include felt bottom boots that make scrambling over the rocks easier, waders and even full dry suits.

How to Explore Zion National Park in the Fall

Zion is Utah’s lowest park in both elevation and latitude, so its weather tends to be fair year-round. During the fall in Zion National Park can expect rain but rarely snow. You’ll encounter cool temperatures, especially in sunless canyon bottoms like The Narrows. Springdale, located just below the park entrance, is for the most part open for business in the winter season, but restaurants and stores often limit their hours. The Cable Mountain Lodge has a helpful “what’s open” guide.

Zion National Park in Fall
View from Angels Landing. Photo by Visit Utah.

The Big Hikes

Angel’s Landing — Distance: 5.4 miles

This is a pre-lawyer hiking trail. It’s a butt-kicking climb to the very top of Zion Canyon, famously completed by a “chain route”—where the vertiginously narrow trail offers chain handholds as you crawl up tummy-turning sections with sheer drop-offs. Yes, people have fallen. No, they did not survive. Yet the trail remains open, perhaps because the payoff is so spectacular—a perch on Angel’s Landing with stunning views in every direction and a sense of fear-facing accomplishment. Do not do this hike in less-than clement weather. 

The Narrows—Distance: 9.4 miles

The Narrows is a scramble up the Virgin River. You splash over and around river-rock bowling balls as towering rock walls close together as you ascend the canyon. In the summertime, people tackle The Narrows in sandals and shorts, but in the off season you’ll need some gear. Rent a dry suit from Zion Outfitters (zionoutfitter.com). The thick, rubbery suits keep the water out and you warm and dry inside. And although you’ll look like you belong on a Star Trek landing party, you’ll feel invincible wading through the chest-deep water near the top. The kit also comes with extra-grip water shoes and a giant wooden pole that makes your scrambling easier. The hike terminates at the backcountry boundary (permit required). And although you’re not hiking uphill, all the wading and clambering is tiring, so remember you’ll have to return the way you came. Consider turning back before you’re all gassed out.

Off-season Eats

Whiptail Grill

Whiptail Grill is a cute cantina in a converted gas station, serving creative takes on Mexican cuisine. 445 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, whiptailgrillzion.com, 435-772-0283

Off-season Stay

Cable Mountain Lodge

Located right at the mouth of Zion Canyon, Cable Mountain Lodge is practically in the park. The lodge has standard hotel rooms as well as family-sized suites with kitchens and plenty of space. Bonus: The hot tub is open year-round. 147 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, cablemountainlodge.com, 435-772-3366

Find more tips and tricks on Utah’s National Parks in the office season, here

Sep 04
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LotoJa riders in the Wilson Mile section_SLM SO24_Snake River Photo

Tackling the 203-mile LoToJa Bike Race

By Adventures, Outdoors

It’s predawn, the Saturday after Labor Day—the dewy chill of fall prickling the air. A gaggle of middle-aged, spandex-clad women hops into two Sprinter Vans, hauling bikes, bags and coolers. We crank the tunes for what appears to be a ’90s-greatest-hits road rally. 

LoToJa Bike Race
 SLC residents Sara Bateman, Emily Waltman and author Heather Hayes near the top of Strawberry Canyon in Idaho.
Photo by Snake River Photo and Rachael Sharp

“And I still…haven’t found…what I’m looking for…!” We wail along off-key to the U2 track between bursts of laughter while we hang out the windows to cheer on our teammates. This is our annual adventure on the nation’s longest one-day amateur bike race, LoToJa, a grueling test
of physical and mental stamina.

The 203-mile LoToJa (Logan to Jackson) ride welcomes cyclists of all levels to ride through three different states from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyo., as single divisions. The tour of autumnal splendor finishes at the base of the Teton mountain range and, along the way, residents from Preston, Idaho to Star Valley, Wyo. create lawn-chair cheering sections complete with clanging cowbells. They’re rewarded with a view of professional riders competing to win, and the rest of us who are just aiming to cross the finish line.

A LoToJa Sisterhood

I love my LoToJa sisters. Shortly after I became comfortable on my bike, I started looking around for other women with a shared love of cycling. Slowly my tribe emerged and the rides began. We didn’t know it yet, but we needed each other. These women would help me in ways well beyond physical fitness.

LoToJa Bike Race
LoToJa relay team members celebrate after a long and satisfying race day.
Photo by Snake River Photo and Rachael Sharp

Our number grew from five to 15. Out on the open mountain road, we had the chance to figure ourselves out, one ride at a time. We may not have found all the answers, but we’ve woven an impenetrable fabric of trust and friendship. Cycling became our chance to unpack our lives—all without direct eye contact and judgment. Our conversations have forced me to pull my bike over dozens of times to wipe misty tears from my sunglasses, and other times I’ve giggled so much I’ve had to pull over for…other reasons. We’ve worked through raising infants to sanity-sapping teens, explored career paths and personal aspirations and sought each other’s advice on everything. I’ve grieved with friends who’ve lost loved ones, who’ve received unwelcomed diagnoses or battled through emotional trauma. Sweating together, pushing each other and being each other’s cheerleaders is worth the effort to squeeze training rides between work, weddings and summer swim meets with the kids. It all culminates in our LoToJa weekend.

LoToJa Ride
LoToJa riders compete individually and in relay teams. The fastest riders finish in under 9 hours.
Photo by Snake River Photo and Rachael Sharp

The big day arrives

LoToJa Bike Race
Relay riders nearing Teton Village in Wyoming.  
Photo by Snake River Photo and Rachael Sharp

As race day approaches, we ladies divide into multiple teams—some planning to ride 150 miles and stay on through multiple legs, while others plan for 30 miles and complete only one leg. Either way, as relayers, we’re glad to hop in the car and give our bikes (and backsides) a break at intervals during the ride. While we aren’t tackling the same challenge as the hundreds of cyclists who individually ride the entire 200+ miles, I think we have a lot more fun. 

Some in my group ride the relay race every year, others drop in and out with life’s ebbs and flows. We sneak training rides in during the early hours but sometimes we deliberately duck out midday to dodge responsibilities. However we manage, we’ve made spending time on our bikes together a priority—even if we don’t end up training quite as we’d intended. 

While LoToJa, for us, remains festive and relatively low-key, a decade of participation has strengthened my resolve to improve and push myself a little more each year. That resolve has helped me turn 30 miles into 50 miles, then 75, then well over 100. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll try the full race like those lady beasts who fly past us each year out on the course. I’m usually happy to admire their athletic prowess from a distance, but one never knows. I’ve learned never to say “never.”  

LoToJa Towns Show Love 

Every year, cyclists and support vehicles pass through more than a dozen small towns en route to Jackson. Residents warmly welcome racers by volunteering at feed zones and cheering them on.

The race passes through Logan, Richmond, and Cove, Utah; Franklin, Whitney, Preston, Mink Creek, Liberty and Montpelier Idaho; Smoot, Afton, Grover, Thayne, Star Valley, Etna, Alpine, Hoeback and Jackson Hole Wyo.

Whose Crazy Idea Was This?  

In 1983, avid cyclists David Bern and Jeff Keller of Logan dreamed about a Utah race to resemble the difficulty of a one-day European classic. They convinced seven friends to enlist in their race, which started outside Sunrise Cyclery—Keller’s bike shop. The route has evolved over 42 years to cover more terrain, conquering three mountain passes through scenic Utah, Idaho and Wyoming highways. Now, the 200+ mile race attracts 1,500 cyclists that range from top-level licensed racers to weekend warriors competing in full-distance, tandem and relay team categories. The start line is still located in front of the little Logan bike shop, the finish line is located in Teton Village in Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Aug 29
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Dig Into Fall with Master Gardener Amanda Pratt

By Lifestyle, Outdoors

Combining her love for design and plants into her business A Lavender Garden, Master Gardener Amanda Pratt offers home horticulture consults, landscape design, and one-on-one Utah-based gardening education—with a focus on sustainable practices, water-wise plants and soil science. At her charming Millcreek home, she keeps chickens and bees while nurturing a 2000-square-foot garden where she plants just about anything that will grow in the high desert. This autumn, she offers tips to make the most of your gardens this season and beyond.

Prepare your garden beds

Begin by getting a soil test from U.S.U. Analytical Laboratory (Click here for instructions). Apply the recommended nutrients and organic matter. Fall preparation allows the microorganisms to build in the soil for spring planting.  

Add a layer of organic mulch

fall gardening Utah
Photo credit Ro Harrison Photography.

Soil Pep (decomposed pine that adds nutrients to the soil) protects your soil and keeps spring weeds down. It also conserves moisture and helps plants survive the winter.

Plant cold-hardy crops

Choose varieties that can withstand some frost, including kale, lettuce, broccoli, spinach, peas, radishes, carrots, beets, Swiss chard, turnips, kohlrabi and cabbage. Extend the harvest with the protection of a low tunnel, floating row covers or a cold frame. Plant garlic, green onions and leeks for a spring crop.

Enhance your landscape

Add trees, shrubs and perennials now for more robust plants and stronger root systems next spring. Plant at least 3-4 weeks before the ground freezes to allow time to establish—no later than Thanksgiving. Water regularly. 

Clean up

Cut back perennials and grasses in areas where access is needed. Remove plant material near structures to avoid moisture buildup and reduce insect and rodent pests. Destroy any diseased foliage, especially vegetable foliage that can spread fungal disease and viruses into the next year’s crops.

Sow cover crops

Mostly used for vegetable beds, cover crops add nitrogen to the soil, increase soil organic matter, suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, reduce compaction and prevent erosion. Common varieties include clover, peas and hairy Vetch. 

Plant spring bulbs

Extend the beauty by choosing varieties with different blooming periods so that when one flower dies out, another one emerges. Plant bulbs in holes three-times their height. For clusters of flowers, plant in groups of three to five bulbs. 

Find more gardening and landscape tips from our sister publication, Utah Style & Design magazine.

Aug 21
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PC Life Golfing Photo_SLM JA24_Courtsey of Visit Park City

Where to Golf in Park City

By Adventures

“The ball truly does fly farther at elevation,” I thought as the tiny white sphere violently hooked from view. Golfing in the mountains comes with certain baked-in hazards, like the precipitous declivity that claimed my repurposed range ball. Best bring a couple of spares when hitting the links around here. Park City is home to some of the most outrageously expensive and exclusive golf courses in the world. Thankfully, it also has some wonderful and quirky public courses available to those of us who don’t travel on a personal private jet. We tore it up on the fairways, greens and frequently the rough to break down our favorites and even consulted with a local caddy to get an expert’s opinion. 

PARK CITY MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE

  • Who it’s for: Players who’d happily trade the 6-iron for a six-pack.

  • Highlights: Friendly course layout, affordable rates and it’s centrally located in Park City

  • Après: Nearby Silver Star Café (1825 Three Kings Dr., Park City) has live music on the patio for cocktails and appetizers.

  • Caddy’s take: “It’s a great place to play barefoot with a bunch of non-pretentious local ski bums passing time in the summer months.”

1541 Thanyes Canyon Dr., Park City, 435-615-5800, parkcity.org

MOUNTAIN DELL GOLF COURSE

  • Who it’s for: Players chipping away at their handicap, not the ball stuck in the bunker. 

  • Highlights: Two 18-hole courses (Canyon and Lake), public driving range, challenging and dramatic features on the Lake Course 

  • Après: The Sandwedge Café (7603 E. Mt. Dell Golf Rd., SLC), located in the same building as the pro shop, has affordable sandwiches and beers.

  • Caddy’s take: “It’s one of the only public courses with a driving range in the area, and it’s significantly tougher than PC Muni. There are more serious golfers working on their games there.”

Parley’s Canyon, I-80 Exit 134, SLC, 801-582-3812, mountaindellgc.com

CANYONS GOLF AT PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORT

  • Who it’s for: Players who want to infuse some mountain climbing into their golf game. 

  • Highlights: Unique setting, 300-foot elevation change on hole 10, the tricky island green on 18

  • Après: Après Pendry (2417 W. High Mountain Rd., Park City,) in the upper Canyons Village offers a solid menu of bites small to medium and a jaw-dropping wine list. 

  • Caddy’s take: “It’s kind of an insane place to play golf because it’s very much on the side of a cliff. The massive elevation change on some holes makes for some memorable shots, though.”

3636 Willow Draw, Park City, 435-615-4728, parkcitymountain.com

WASATCH MOUNTAIN GOLF COURSE

  • Who it’s for: Players who are too busy taking in the views to keep track of tee shots

  • Highlights: Two distinct 18-hole courses (Lake and Mountain), incredible scenery, cool temperatures

  • Après: Midway Mercantile (99 E. Main St., Midway) has an excellent patio and an even better farm-to-table menu.

  • Caddy’s take: “It’s hard to get too upset about shanking one into the bunker when the scenery is as good as it is underneath those massive peaks in Midway.”

975 Golf Course Dr., Midway, 435-654-0532, stateparks.utah.gov

Aug 19
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Wolfies Carousel Bar_SLM JA24_Roman Wolves

A Saturday Dine-around in San Diego’s Little Italy

By Adventures, Travel

San Diego’s Little Italy district dates back to the 19th century when thousands of Italian immigrants  formed vibrant neighborhoods that thrived on the area’s rich fishing industry. Today, Little Italy is still home to San Diego’s longest-running neighborhood business sector and brimming with authentic and unique dining experiences.

Little Italy’s Farmer’s Table. Photo courtesy Farmer’s Table.

No. 1  Brunch

Morning Glory (morningglorybreakfast.com) isn’t all about the looks—it also has amazing eclectic brunch food from Michelin-starred chef Jason McLeod. Expect to wait as the line starts building early. If you’re a people watcher, Farmer’s Table (myfarmerstable.com) has the perfect outdoor patio for brunch. Right on the corner of the Little Italy market, enjoy one of their famous elaborate bloody marys and a farm-to-table meal while you observe the bustling market around you. 

No. 2  Shopping

Join the crowd and peruse San Diego’s largest farmer’s market. The market has all types of vendors, from fresh produce and flower bouquets to hand-made soaps and oddities. The Little Italy Mercato (littleitalysd.com) is open every Saturday and Wednesday, located on Piazza della Famiglia, a European-style piazza dedicated to the families of the Little Italy neighborhood. 

Mission Federal Art Walk brings thousands
to Little Italy to view art and enjoy live music. Photo courtesy of Art Walk Little Italy.

No. 3  Liquid Lunch

Ballast Point (ballastpoint.com) offers an array of rotating experimental beers, ensuring everyone can find a brew they will enjoy. Grab a flight to enjoy in a private outdoor cabana, or get on the action and watch the brewers craft an R&D beer. Pali Wine Co. (paliwineco.com) charges $15 for a wine flight that includes five of their distinct wines. Enjoy their fine wines in the main room or on their rooftop patio. 

Menu at Roman Wolves. Photo courtesy of Roman Wolves.

No. 4  Dinner

Enjoy the spirit of Rome at Roman Wolves (romanwolves.com). They pride themselves on offering a genuine Italian experience where every guest feels like family. Savor time-honored classics and unique dishes, made with locally sourced fresh ingredients. Cloak and Petal (cloakandpetal.com) is a hidden gem disguised as an abandoned Tokyo subway. This vibrant spot hits all the marks with its Japanese fusion dishes and extensive drink menu.

No. 5  Drinks

Take a spin at Wolfie’s Carousel Bar (wolfiescarousel.com), an 1800s-style French bistro and cocktail bar featuring a whimsical revolving carousel. The bar offers plenty of signature cocktails, wines and beers. It also offers brunch and dinner. Waterfront Bar & Grill (waterfrontbarandgrill.com) is San Diego’s oldest tavern, established in 1933. It specializes in bar food, drinks and a great time. It’s the ideal spot for those seeking a dive bar atmosphere.