IN THE AREA You don’t have to spend your entire vacation in the sanctuary. Here are just a few of the wonderful places you can visit as a day trip from Best Friends. Kanab – The closest town to the Best Friends’ sanctuary is called “Little Hollywood” because so many films have been made in the area. And with a population of only 4,300, it still has an Old West feel. Visit www.visitkanab.info. Zion National Park – The east entrance to Zion National Park is only about 35 miles from the entrance to the sanctuary. Here you will experience towering sandstone cliffs cut by the Virgin River. Visit www.nps.gov/zion. Bryce Canyon National Park – About 75 miles from the sanctuary is Bryce Canyon and its iconic spires of colored rock. Visit www.nps.gov/brca. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park – The pink, red and white off-road paradise of Coral Pink Sand Dunes is less than 20 miles from the sanctuary. Visit stateparks.utah.gov/parks/ coral-pink. Cedar Breaks National Monument – The “Circle of Painted Cliffs” is popular among sightseers, hikers and photographers for its scenery and diversity of wildlife. And it’s only about 40 miles from Best Friends. Visit www.nps. gov/cebr. North Rim of the Grand Canyon – The largest natural tourist attraction in the U.S. is just 80 road miles south of Best Friends. From the North Rim it is a straight shot down to the bottom of the canyon, offering breathtaking views. Visit www.nps.gov/grca. Lake Powell/Glen Canyon Recreation Area – If water sports are your thing, you can drive 70 miles south and east to Lake Powell and enjoy boating, jet skiing and swimming. Visit www.nps.gov/glca.
Giulia Staples
of LaVerkin, Ut
ah, spends qu
ality time with
and workshops, then take that knowledge home with them. There are short 1-hour classes such as Horse Grooming 101, FeLV (feline leukemia virus) Cat Chat and An Introduction to the Wonderful Elusive Rabbit. And there are multi-day workshops on How To Start an Animal Sanctuary and Art for the Animals. “It’s a kind of pollination,” says Hegwood. “You spread that information everywhere you go.” Best Friends has “pollinated” well beyond Angel Canyon. The society now has outreach programs in Los Angeles, New York and Salt Lake City and is starting programs in Chicago and Las Vegas. And through its outreach and networking programs, Best Friends has the potential to help animals in every community in the United States. “We can’t do it all,” says Castle. “But we can try to put people in touch with their local resources.
The more we can generate involvement in people, in local communities, the more we can do.” It’s wonderful to have people come volunteer at the sanctuary, says Hegwood, “but we really want to get people involved in their own community.” To help with that involvement, Best Friends has developed programs such as Network Charities to help small, all-volunteer rescue groups that don’t have all the resources they need. They also offer grants and help match groups with volunteers in their area. And they sponsor Pup My Ride, which transports dogs from puppy mills to rescue groups, and Strut Your Mutt, a hug dog walk that showcases dogs looking for homes. “Strut Your Mutt is a veritable parade,” says Hegwood. “It also raises funds for rescues. We have had groups raise their entire annual budget.” “When people come here, they tend to like it very much,” says Castle. “We are blessed to have the sanctuary where we are. But the sanctuary isn’t all there is. We want our friends – our extended family – to continue their experience in their own communities.
Chewie.
Interested in More Information?
For more info on visiting Best Friends Animal Sanctuary for your vacation, go to www.bestfriends.org/atthesanctuary on the Internet. The site offers tips on where to stay (click on “Planning Your Visit”) and gives all the info you need on signing up for volunteer time (click on “Volunteering”). The site also spotlights the different areas at the sanctuary, complete with photos and video. Basically, if you need to know it, it’s here. The main Web site for Best Friends – www.bestfriends.org – also offers links to all of the society’s programs, including the Best Friends Network and Outreach. And don’t forget to check out the Adorable Adoptables!
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The Local Tourist WRITTEN BY Kathryn van Roosendaal
You’ve got a short break in your hectic schedule and St. George, Utah is calling your name. Do you want to do the tourist thing? Or would you rather hangout like a local? Here are two different itineraries with ideas to maximize your time in southern Utah. You may even choose ideas from both itineraries. Either way, you can leave the ‘obvious traveler’ look behind and use your swagger as a Local Tourist.
TOURIST Style Itinerary: DAY 1 Airport: St. George has a new airport. Minimized are the days of flying into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, then commuting. You can now fly straight to Southern Utah in the morning or early afternoon and still have plenty of time to see the sights after getting your rental car and checking into your hotel. Hotel: St. George and the surrounding area has a huge tourism industry and there are many hotels to choose from. A list of popular hotels can be found under “lodging” on the St. George Tourism web site at www.atozion.com Entertainment: Head out to the Tuacahn Amphitheatre for dinner and outstanding theater - it’s broadway in the desert! Check with your hotel for discounts on show tickets or reserve your tickets and pre-show dinner on Tuacahn’s website at www.tuacahn.org DAY 2 All of the quality hotels in St. George offer breakfast so the most important meal of the day is also the easiest. Golf: Southern Utah is known for its many beautiful golf courses. Whether you are ready for 9 or 18 holes, your hotel should offer a
golf package that includes booking your tee time and discounted green fees. To check out area courses go to www.redrockgolftrail.com or www.sgcity.org Lunch: Cafe Rio on St. George Blvd. in downtown St. George. A local favorite and tourist hotspot. Quick service and quality TexMex flavor. www.caferio.com Entertainment/Dinner: 50 miles north, discover Cedar City. Browse through the Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery at Southern Utah University www.suu.edu/pva/artgallery Enjoy dinner at the popular The Pastry Pub on University Blvd. www.cedarcitypastrypub.com After dinner attend the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival. Tickets and show schedules are available at www.bard.org DAY 3 Breakfast at the hotel. Hike: Zion National Park. From a casual stroll along the Virgin River to an intense hike to the renound Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park is not to be missed. Driving directions, fee information and T R AV E L 2 0 1 1
LOCAL Style Itinerary: DAY 1 Arrival. Accommodations: Check in to one of the downtown areas many Bed & Breakfasts. A listing can be found under “lodging” on the St. George Tourism Web site at www.atozion.com. Or, choose the luxury of resort accommodations at the Red Mountain Spa. On-site gym, restaurant, spa, and hiking all set within the grandure of Snow Canyon. www.redmountainspa.com
hiking guides can be found at www.nps.gov/zion or stop at the Visitor’s Center located on the south end of the park entrance. Lunch/Afternoon: Parallel 88, Springdale. Another one of Southern Utah’s award-winning restaurants, Parallel 88 is located right in the heart of Springdale. www.paralleleighty-eightrestaurant.com After lunch you can head back into the park for more hiking or stay in Springdale and browse the many shops and art galleries. Massage: St. George Day Spa. After a long day of hiking, your aches will melt away as you bask in the beauty and tranquility of the St. George Day Spa. www.stgeorgedayspa.com Dinner: The Gun Barrel Steak & Game House. It is located on Bluff Street just north of Sunset in St. George. www.gunbarrelutah.com DAY 4 Breakfast at the hotel. Shop: Red Cliffs Mall; Zion Factory Stores; Pramonade. Tourists love to hit the mall and factory stores. For a complete list of shops go to their websites: www.redcliffsmall.com or www.theoutletsatzion.com Lunch: The Painted Pony. Located in the tower at Ancestor Square amidst St. George’s historical district. www.painted-pony.com Depart.
Walk: St. George Walking Tour. Includes the Historic District and shopping. The tour starts at the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Office (in the restored Pioneer Courthouse) at the corner of St. George Boulevard and 100 East. If your B&B doesn’t have maps of the tour, they have them at the starting point. As you wander through downtown, you’ll also see the entries in the Art Around the Corner outdoor art exhibit. Dinner: Benja’s Thai and Sushi. Ancestor Square in St. George’s Historic District. One of the city’s hidden treasures. www.benjathai.com Entertainment: Dixie State College. Downtown St. George. There is always something going on, whether it is a professional concert or a student performance. Check out their calendar of events. Tickets can be bought on-line at: purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase DAY 2 Homemade breakfast at your B&B or Resort. Hike: Snow Canyon State Park, Ivins, Utah. Make sure your camera is fully charged and drive just northwest of St. George to Snow Canyon State Park for a hike or a horseback ride. Information on the park can be found at stateparks.utah.gov/parks/snow-canyon and horseback rides can be booked at www.snowcanyontrailrides.com Lunch: Xetava Gardens at Kayenta’s Coyote Gulch Art Village. When you start getting hungry, head just a little farther west to the Coyote Gulch Art Village for lunch at Xetava Gardens, another hidden eatery that is prized by locals. You can get directions and details at www.coyotegulchartvillage.com and www.xetava.com After lunch, take time to browse the art galleries – they’ll ship your purchases home for you! Site Seeing: Gunlock Loop. Take the scenic route back to town along the Gunlock Loop, stopping as often as needed for photos. This route showcases the Shivwits Indian Reservation, Gunlock Reservoir and the cinder cones at Veyo. Info on the route can be found at www.atozion.com/utah/gunlockscenicdrive Dinner: Brandin’ Iron Steakhouse & Saloon, Diamond Valley. Instead of turning back south when you hit Highway 18 at Veyo, turn north toward Central and Pine Valley and enjoy dinner at the Brandin’ Iron Steakhouse & Saloon. The food is delicious! Directions and details can be found at www.thebrandiniron.com *Be sure to leave time before or after dinner to drive around this historic town. Drive back down Highway 18 – be sure to snap some pics of the cinder cones – and a quiet evening at the B&B.
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DAY 3 Breakfast at the B&B. Shop: Farmer’s Market, Ancestor Square. Located in the heart of St. George and set within the ambiance of history, the Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday morning through August. Fresh produce, local dairy, artisans and crafters alike enjoy this venue that has a true local feel. www.ancestorsquare.com Also enjoy the diversified retailers and galleries within Ancestor Square who are also open during the market. Lunch: 25 North Main Street, St. George. When you’re ready for a break, wander over to 25 North Main Street restaurant and grab some lunch – and some yummy cupcakes – at 25 Main. www.25main.com Hike: Red Cliff Desert Reserve, St. George. Put on your hiking boots for a trek through the Red Cliff Desert Reserve, a Habitat Conservation Area that borders the north edge of St. George. You may even see a desert tortoise. You can find maps and info at www.redcliffsdesertreserve.com Dinner: The Anasazi Grill, Sunset Blvd., St George. A unique dining experience that starts off with table side fondue. Dinner features choice cut meats and shell fish that you grill on your own hot rock. www.anasazisteakhouse.com Entertainment: Jazzy’s Rock N Roll Grill, Bluff St., St George. Originally dubbed Jazzy Java, this local favorite is a coffee house gone wild in the kitchen with great food from sunrise to sunset. The intimate stage area plays host to emerging talent. Check out their web site for hours and entertainment schedule. www.jazzysrocknrollgrill.com You can also search the Southern Utah Songwriters Association at www.suswa.net for other entertainment opportunities. DAY 4 Breakfast: The Bear Paw Café, 75 N. Main, St. George. This is one of St. George’s award-winning eateries and a local hangout during weekday mornings and ‘off’ weekends. Check out the menu at www.bearpawcafe.com Golf: No trip is complete to the southwest without a round of golf. A number of the courses have their own on-site clubs and restaurants making dining an easy option. St. George and Hurricane area courses are listed at www.redrockgolftrail.com *If your flight does leave out of Las Vegas, then hit up Mesquite, Nevada for a round of golf, gambling, and an overnight stay on the way. You’ll discover unexpected beauty and warm hospitality in this small town setting. Search these sites for more information: www.mesquite-chamber.com www eurekamesquite.com www.conestogagolf.com
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