January 16, 2009

Connecting Miles & Miles of Trails for Bikers, Hikers, and Equestrians

Posted to Northern Utah Recreation & Attractions, Steve Randall

One of the recent City Council topics in Kaysville was a proposed trail to connect Farmington and Kaysville. Residents of the Monte Bella Subdivision hope that the Council will extend the path of that trial through their subdivision and give them easy access to this great new amenity. As new development occurs along the trail, the easement for the trail needs to be defined so that projects can begin construction. More details of the meeting can be found in the City Council Minutes. The Shoreline trails run along the east range of the Wasatch Mountains and is well known for horseback riding and mountain biking. The newly completed Legacy Highway trail is great for runners, road bikers, joggers, and those who walk who just want to exercise in the beauty of that trail.

Kaysville Listing Spot Light: Finding new Patio Homes in Kaysville for sale is not always easy. Our friends at Keller Williams have a home priced at $189,000 that is in a good location and good condition. We feature this home because it is newly listed and could be a good starter home or great investment property. It has 3 bedrooms all on one floor with 1 ¾ baths and 1380 s.f.. One of the nice amenities is that it is close to the freeway and also close to some great road bike riding terrain. If you would like a list of homes similar to this that have recently sold to verify the asking price please send us an e-mail. We hope to represent the buyer in any transaction with this home.

Posted By: Steve Randall





January 15, 2009

Stay Involved in Northern Utah!

Posted to Northern Utah Recreation & Attractions

Many people in today’s economy are not willing or able to spend money the way they could a couple of years ago. Therefore people feel like they cannot give to the less fortunate in the same way they did in the past, and charitable donations have markedly decreased in 2008, according to one report in Newsweek.

Economic times may be tough, but that should not stop any of us from serving others. Community involvement is critical to those in need, and essential for those of us who may not feel like we can give monetarily to our local charities. I am a firm believer that you have to be grateful in this world for all that you have right now, even if it was less then last year. Through your gratitude and service to others, the universal law of cause and effect, or reap what you sow, or whatever you want to call it, will work for you. All the service you give away to others will come back to you in other ways, tenfold. Plus, it just FEELS GOOD!

So, don’t let our hard economic times squelch your generous spirit. There are plenty of organizations out there that need your service as much, if not more, than they need your money. There is a great website called VolunteerSolutions.org. When I typed in my zip code of 84067, and asked them to show me opportunities within a 10 miles radius, there were 69 ways for me to volunteer! Here are some examples from that site on the many opportunities the Red Cross alone had to offer:

  • Ogden, UT - Like working with young people 14 to 21? Like being involved in something new? Then consider being an adviser to Red Cross Youth and Young Adult Clubs.
  • Cache County, UT - Cache County volunteers especially are needed to help the American Red Cross of Northern Utah furnish food, clothing, shelter and more during local disasters as members of a Disaster Action Team (DAT).
  • Ogden, UT - Like data entry? The American Red Cross of Northern Utah needs someone to enter class records, volunteer hours and more for about eight hours a month at its Ogden headquarters.

Keep in mind that is just what’s on that website and does not even include the dozens of opportunities no one advertises in your local church or neighborhood to help someone in need out. Maybe it’s just driving an elderly neighbor to church every Sunday, or shoveling someone’s driveway as a special surprise after a long day of work. Do not stop giving just because our economic outlook is glum, for it is in the giving that we shall all begin to receive again!

Posted By: Laura Wardrop





January 09, 2009

Come and Snowmobile Utah!

Posted to Northern Utah Recreation & Attractions, Steve Randall

One of the great things about living in Northern Utah in January is the opportunity of not only skiing on some of the best snow in the world, but there is also opportunity for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. Many residents located in the rural areas of northern Utah use the same flat land fields their crops grow on in the summer as places to snowmobile in the winter. The more venturous prefer mountain snowmobile locations that can be reached in as little as a half hour to an hour and a half from our Ogden, Utah office. Over the holidays, many were out on the newly laid powder in the High Uintah Mountains or roaming the miles of groomed trails maintained by the State of Utah.

One of the great places to snowmobile Utah is in the Smith & Morehouse area just east of Kamas and Oakley. There are great snow bowls to climb and race through as well as several cabin communities like Pine Mountains where access to cabins is limited in the winter months to snowmobiles. Pine Mountains grooms trails to make sure it is easier for residents to reach their cabins. The miles of groomed trails are good for family snowmobile activities and they have a wide open area where one can test how fast they can get their machine to go! It is not uncommon to see fathers pulling their children on sleds around the roads of the community.

One of the great places to get started with snowmobiling is at Weller Recreation in Kamas (435.783.4781). They not only sell the sleds (snowmobiles) but have all the winter gear to purchase as well. Members of the various communities in the area have used them for years and many can verify that Weller’s service is hard to match. There have been several times when Weller has rescued residents when machines have broken down along the trail.

Owners in the Pine Mountains area buy properties there because of the year-round activities they are able to participate in. Activities include road biking in the spring, summer, and fall, where one can plan various rides for miles into Heber City, Park City, and then back. Boating, fishing, tubing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing venues are all very close. Cabins and homes in the Kama area come in various sizes, shapes, and ages with prices ranging from $179,000 for 1,066 s.f. 2 bedroom, 1 bath cabin to plush 5,000 s.f., 5 bedroom, 5.5 bathroom cabin with year around access. Most cabins in the Pine Mountain area would sell from $275,000 to $750,000. Asking price for 1/2 lots to build on would be $65,000 to $75,000.

For those who love to get away and live in a winter wonderland or enjoy the summer outdoor sports, Northern Utah and especially the Kamas Valley area are hard to beat! To search for properties in Summit County go to WelchAgency.com and click on Search Properties for Free, and then enter Summit County.

Posted By: Steve Randall





January 06, 2009

Skiing for Everyone!

Posted to Northern Utah Recreation & Attractions

This past week I have been skiing three times. Not remarkable, you may say, but I am not in the greatest shape in the world. I live in Utah, a winter wonderland where the greatest snow on earth exists. When you picture skiing, especially if you have never done it before, you may have visions of some Olympic gold medalist racing down the hill and doing fancy tricks off a jump. That is not this girl. I am a fairly good skier, and manage to hold my own without falling over most terrain, but quick and beautifully graceful to watch come down the hillside, I am not.

You know what though? I do not care! Skiing is one of those amazing sports that allows you to experience so many things. It gets you out in the fresh air communing with nature, and when you live in Utah, the views that Mother Nature provides are second to none. It is also a sport that allows you to be with others and at the same time you are alone. You can ride up on the lifts and chat with others and you can start down the hill with those you just rode with up that lift. However, when you begin the act of skiing, there is no one on those skis but you, which gives you a lot of time for reflection and just being in touch with your own spirit. Skiing is truly good for the soul!

So no matter what shape you are in or how old you may be, give skiing a try. I would also recommend trying it on the amazing snow in Utah. I cannot tell you how many times I have rode up on the lift with a visitor from another part of the country or world, who have told me how lucky I am to have the greatest snow and skiing terrain practically right in my backyard. Ski Utah, I say, but if that is not immediately possible, just ski!

Posted By: Laura Wardrop





January 05, 2009

Keep Your Kids Active!

Posted to Brad & Liz Sears, Northern Utah Recreation & Attractions

Winter is such a wonderful season, especially when it snows. Building snowmen, sledding, snowball fights and skiing are a few of the fun things children and adults love to do. However, before long the cold seeps in and children start to want to hibernate in front of the television watching cartoons or playing video games all day.

I wanted to get my children into an activity during winter where they could expel their energy and get some exercise. I went to Layton city’s web site and pulled up youth sports. I found a wrestling program kindergarten through 9th grade and signed up my 3rd and 4th grade boys. I can’t believe how much they’ve enjoyed it! They had a lot of fun doing the warm ups, learning different moves and interacting with other children.

Children that stay active and get regular exercise tend to have higher self esteem, feel less stressed, keep a healthy weight and sleep better at night. These benefits also are proven to decrease the chance of getting sick! There are many different activities available for children during winter months, just go to your city’s web site and look for recreation and youth sports.

Posted By: Brad & Liz Sears