Family Matters

FAMILY MATTERS

Water Fun Close to Home

A ROUNND-UP OF CACHE VALLEY'S BEST PLACES TO COOL OFF

TARA BONE contributing writer

An afternoon spent at the local pool on a hot day is a summer MUST for kids. Unfortunately, last summer the much-loved Logan Aquatic Center was closed, so families had to venture out to find water fun and cool off.

What they found is that from north to south, Cache Valley has beautiful water recreation spots where families can swim, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, fish, or just take in the wildlife and scenery. Below are some of those finds for your family to explore. Make summer 2021 one to remember by finding a new watering hole, or visiting a family favorite that’s close to home.

PORCUPINE RESERVOIR 7 miles southeast of Paradise The reservoir, completed in 1964, is a hidden mountain oasis. Operating a boat above a wakeless speed is prohibited, so the 12,800-acre-feet body of water hosts swimmers, kayakers, paddleboarders, and even cliff jumpers. It’s also an excellent fishing spot; from late August to midSeptember kokanee salmon spawn and swim upriver.

HYRUM LAKE STATE PARK Marina and campground access: 405 West 300 South, Hyrum Beach access: 200 East 500 South, Hyrum Take a picnic and spend all day at the beach where kids can swim and play in the water with kayaks, tubes, or paddleboards. There are updated

public facilities available. Hyrum reservoir is also popular for waterskiing and fishing.

FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD DAM PARKS Off of US Hwy 89 in Logan at the mouth of Logan Canyon. First Dam is the first of three dams along the Logan River. It’s a favorite place for picnicking, bird watching, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There are fire pits available at Second Dam, which is handicap accessible, and several hiking trails start at Third Dam. MERLIN OLSEN CENTRAL PARK 100 S 200 E, Logan For young children, Merlin Olsen Park is a perfect place to make memories. It’s one of Logan’s oldest parks and the shallow canal running east to west across the park is a fun, free, and quick place to play for those with limited time. Kids and adults can wade together and play on nearby playground.

NEWTON RESERVOIR 9000 North 5800 West, Trenton The first water storage reservoir in Utah built by settlers in 1871, Newton Reservoir offers water recreation, fishing, picnicking, and camping off the beaten path. Motorized boating is allowed and there are no boat launching fees. The shoreline is thick with cottonwood and willow trees.

CUTLER MARSH MARINA Take US Hwy 30 west from Logan 2.5 miles, boat launch on south side of Hwy 30, or turn north on 3200 West to access marina. For a unique water adventure, canoe the Cutler Wetlands Maze to experience the sights and sounds of a variety of birds and wildlife. There are multiple buoy-marked trails in the marsh; see bridgerlandaudubon.org/

wetlandsmaze/canoe.html for details.

ONEIDA NARROWS Approximately 40 miles north of Logan. Grab a tube, kayak, or paddleboard and head north of Preston, Idaho to float a stretch of the Bear River. The scenery is beautiful and wildlife sightings are frequent. The river can get busy with tubers, so hit the water in the morning.

There are also many Cache Valley swimming pools and natural hot springs to explore:

LOGAN AQUATICS CENTER loganut.org The outdoor swimming center’s leisure pool,

continued on next page ...

Our goal is to treat every home as our own and to treat every customer as family. We take pride in completing each job with prompt, quality workmanship.

MENTION THIS AD TO RECEIVE $24.95

OFF

ANY SERVICE

435.563.0611

20 Years of Service20 Years of Service IN CACHE VALLEY!

... continued from previous page.

lap pool, diving well, and two water slides are open again this summer and ready for fun! Swimming lessons and aerobic classes are back too.

RIVERDALE RESORT 5 miles north of Preston, ID; riverdaleresort.com This natural mineral hot spring resort includes four pools, two water slides, and a variety of camping and lodging accommodations. Visitors can tube, raft, or kayak down the Bear River and get out within walking distance of the resort.

DOWNATA HOT SPRINGS Approximately 18 miles north of Preston, ID; downatahotspings.com Resort includes large swimming pool, hot pools, and multiple water slides — the “dragon slide” is a favorite, or try the “black hoe” for thrill seekers. Unique lodging accommodations available.

CRYSTAL HOT SPRINGS Located in Honeyville, UT; crystalhotsprings.net The world's largest natural hot spring offers a variety of both cold and hot pools for swimming and soaking. The complex is open year-round and includes three hot tubs, a large soaker pool, a cooler freshwater swimming pool, two water slides, and a lap pool.

More than Turning a Plumber’s Wrench

LEE’S PLUMBING FOCUSES ON QUALITY WORKMANSHIP AND CUSTOMER SERVICE

EMILY BUCKLEY editor in chief

For two decades, Lee and Amber Draper of Smithfield have run their plumbing business, Lee’s Plumbing, based on the values of treating every home they work in as though it is their own and treating every customer like family.

Lee started plumbing in the late-80s in California under another plumber. He returned to Cache Valley and worked in another job before cycling back to plumbing and zeroing in on completing his education. Together, Lee and Amber planned and prepared to run their own business. Amber studied accounting while Lee did his apprenticeship and have now been working side by side for 21 years.

Early in their business’s life they did a lot of new construction work, but after the 2008 recession they changed their focus to strictly repair work, which Lee likes because it allows him to not only help people every day in “crisis situations,” but also keeps the work interesting as he analyzes and solves problems.

Lee takes pride in completing each job with prompt, quality workmanship. He says the key to running a successful business for the long haul in a small town boils down to customer service. “It really matters how you treat people,” he said.

Amber added that having a strong, skilled team makes a big difference. Some of their plumbers have been with them since the near beginning of Lee’s Plumbing, and Lee has trained all of his plumbers himself.

“Lee takes so much ownership over every single job we take,” Amber said. “It’s important to him to make sure every job is done up to his standard, that’s why he personally trains every one of his plumbers.” The Draper family

WORST THINGS TO PUT DOWN THE DISPOSAL.

Eggshells, tough fruit and vegetable peelings, or anything heavy and sharp when it accumulates. TIPS FROM LEE: A few ideas from the master plumber himself.

FLUSHABLE WIPES ARE NOT FLUSHABLE.

If they don't dissolve in a Mason jar of water as toilet paper does, they don't dissolve in the pipes and can lead to severe blockages. This also goes for things like dental floss and other non-dissolving materials. HIGH-QUALITY PLUMBING SERVICE REALLY IS WORTH THE COST.

If a plumbing problem really is a simple fix and you can do it yourself, Lee totally supports that, but keep in mind that the knowledge and skill of a well-trained plumber can be the difference between comfort and disaster in the long run.

This benefits customers as his plumbers are confident and experienced in their trade and are able to solve problems effectively and efficiently.

Amber says their commitment to customer service starts from the very first interaction with homeowners. “We in the office try to make sure we connect with the customers before and after each service call to make sure they received the service they needed and expected.”

The Drapers now have six plumbers and two additional office employees to help keep their operation running smoothly. Another thing that Lee says sets his business apart is organization. “Each of our service trucks is set up the same, then we have a drain cleaning truck, and another that is set up for remodels.” One of their trucks is heavily loaded with high-tech equipment, jetters, sewer cameras, locators, and tools. “When we go out to do a main line, we come loaded for bear.”

Lee says one of the most common misconceptions about plumbers is that it is a job for someone without an education. “That’s just not true,” Lee said. Plumbers have to have 8,000 hours of on-the-job training on top of four years of trade school.

“I think some people think you can strap on a tool belt and buy a truck to be a plumber, but that’s not how it works,” Amber said.

Lee’s team of plumbers meet together regularly to discuss problems and share things they have learned on the job. “It’s a continual learning process. Things are complicated with every new technology that comes along. You have to know some stuff — it isn’t as simple as it seems,” Lee laughs.

Asked if there is anything they want to add to their story, Amber speaks up: “I just think Lee is the best plumber around. I really mean that.”

The Lee's Plumbing team