24 minute read
Summer Bucket List
This year’s Bucket List is brought to you by Scooters Coffee and Lava Hot Springs.
BY HAILEY MINTON For this summer’s bucket list, we wanted to highlight rock climbing, backpacking, mountain biking, and archery. These activities capitalize on the unique geographic features of living in Utah. The highest level of these activities are catered to adults, but any age can have fun at a more appropriate level. Keep in mind that any kid is going to need a willing adult to spearhead these activities. We also have a fun list of activities just for kids to get your own summer bucket list started!
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Mountain Biking
It wasn’t until now, in my late twenties, that I got into Mountain Biking. The experience delivers a similar thrill to downhill skiing and snowboarding. Everything is constantly changing when riding in the mountains during the spring, summer, and fall months. One week, you can pedal alongside fields of wildflowers, another week, you can breathe that decomposing leaf air as you pedal through tunnels of fall leaves. You get to see more country in less time compared to hiking, and I think it is a lot of fun to navigate the technical aspects of the trails. Since we live in an area with a lot of different trail users, it’s important to know trail etiquette before you jump on your bike. The International Mountain Bike Association has a general rule that has been around since the 70s: Bikers yield to horses and foot traffic, and descending riders yield to climbing riders. However, some areas have trails that are marked as downhill mountain biking only. The Ogden Parkway paved trail has some fun dirt trails that connect with it. North Fork Park has a network of trails I’m looking forward to checking out. You can also check out Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, and the Bonneville Shoreline trails.
TIP: Looking for trails nearby? Use the Mountain Biking Project app to find one near you that is suited to your skill level.
Rock Climbing
Whether you’re trying it for the first time, have gone to a climbing gym a few times, or you’re a seasoned climber, rock climbing is fun for all skill levels. The sport requires some education, but once you have the skills and gear, the top of the route is the limit! My husband and I love rock climbing because once you invest money in the gear you need, it’s free to climb outside (most of the time). It’s an amazing way to explore an area, whether you live there or visit a new place. Especially in Utah, there are places to rock climb almost anywhere you travel. It is an exhilarating, challenging, and physically demanding activity. My husband and I love taking our nieces and nephews out with us to let them experience the highs and lows of it. If you think this sport is scary or dangerous, we both think the risk in driving a car is substantially higher than it is for rock climbing (with the right equipment and skill, that is). The climbing community is usually really great, inclusive, and supportive. It’s always fun to be climbing at the same wall with strangers. When you see someone else overcome a challenge, it feels like you won a little bit too!
There’s always more you can learn with rock climbing. Right now, my husband and I want to learn how to multi-pitch climb. That means you climb up a bigger wall part way, then your belay partner climbs up behind you. Once you get to the top of that first pitch, you start over again and climb up the next pitch. There are a lot of things you need to know to go rock climbing: building an anchor, belaying, rope management, not to mention the technique it takes to actually climb the wall. There are a lot of ways to become educated. You can reach out to your friend who climbs and ask to go climb with them or take a class through one of the climbing gyms or Weber State. Weber State has some affordable clinics they host over the summer. Check out their website if you want the confidence that comes by being trained by a skilled instructor. www.weber.edu/outdoor/onsite-clinics
TIP: Looking for outdoor climbing routes near you? Use the app Mountain Project.
Backpacking
In 2019, I hiked a relatively small section of the Pacific Crest Trail: a trail running from the border of Mexico, through California, Oregon, and Washington, and ending at the border of Canada. The entire trail is 2,650 miles, and I hiked 314 of them. I found that after about the first 50 miles or so, I started to get into a groove that helped me see the draw of long-distance backpacking. The wilderness, solitude, friends I made along the way, scenery, sore muscles, and wildlife made it unforgettable. Facing physical, mental, and logistical challenges that aren’t a part of everyday life was invigorating, and I highly recommend the experience of doing a long backpacking trip. There are other trails in the US: the Appalachian Trail on the East Coast, the Continental Divide trail through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, along with a few others. Utah is home to the Highline trail in the Uintas, which spans 104 miles. You may have heard of backpacking to King’s Peak, which is a side trail option along the Highline Trail route. There are other trails like the La Verkin Creek Trail in Zion National Park that runs 14 miles or Bryce Canyon’s Under the Rim Trail that spans 23 miles or Paria Canyon Backpacking Trail in the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness at 38 miles. There is something liberating about carrying everything you need to survive on your back and reestablishing “home” every night. Planning meals for backpacking is different from any other type of meal planning you’ve done. You count calories but in the opposite way of what society is used to. More densely packed calories equals more energy for the weight you’re carrying. Cliff bars, tortilla roll up with a tuna packet, snickers bars, oatmeal packets, dehydrated bananas, pineapple and mango, nuts, and beef jerky were some of my staples. Meals where you just add water are ideal because it means less weight to pack around. I really loved the Good To-Go meals, and my favorite was their Herbed Mushroom Risotto.
Backpackers know that gear can make or break a trip, especially when carrying extra weight wears on your feet and joints over the long haul.
These are my top three picks that I think make the biggest difference:
A Sawer water filter. When going for long distances, you need to filter water as you go. These filters are very light weight and screw onto water bottles. Most people used the disposable Smart Water containers for them. They are lighter weight, and you can easily squeeze them to filter your water. Bring two bottles so one will be the dirty water that is pre-filtered, and the other one can hold filtered water. On cold nights, just make sure you keep your filter in your sleeping bag with you. If it freezes, it’s ineffective. Injinji wool toe socks. I always do long hikes in two layers of wool socks, with these toe socks as my base layer. These do a phenomenal job of preventing blisters, and many other hikers on the PCT loved them just as much as I did.
A warm sleeping bag and a comfortable backpacking sleeping
pad. I have the Big Agnes Roxy Ann bag and the Big Agnes 20 x 72 x 4 Insulate Q-core Sleeping pad. There are lots of good options out there at a variety of price points. Being comfortable at night is important to me, so I went with this gear even though it was a little more on the pricey side. Trust me, it only takes one uncomfortable night to make good sleeping gear worth it.
All images copyright GEAR:30 | Photographer Credit Bryden Bowley
Archery
BY: JENNY GOLDSBERRY
Archery is a fun, competitive sport that requires strength and focus. Anyone can give it a try, and you’ll find it’s much simpler than shooting, because there isn’t a license or registration needed to use a bow and arrow. The two sports are very similar in set up and practice. When it comes to target practice, get either field or bullet point arrows. Even though these are mostly meant for targets and very small game, they’re still dangerous, so be careful with them. You’ll want a target, which you can rent ready-made or can create your own with a bale of hay. You’ll also want a back stop to keep wayward arrow from flying too far. This is accomplished with an old rug or quilt hung behind the target. Make sure it’s significantly wider and taller than the target for best effect. If you’re in a group playing archery, communication is key. Always notify other archers when you’re about to shoot. Never shoot an arrow straight up, from an extremely long distance, or when you can’t see where you’re shooting. When it comes time to gather the arrows, which have hopefully hit your target, notify other archers to put down their bows so the path is clear for the clean up. If you want to learn archery to bowhunt someday, you’ll first need a hunting education and license from the state of Utah. For small game, use a judo or blunt point. When it comes to big game, you’ll need a broadhead point, which is banned from most archery ranges. There’s even a point especially for fishing. Utah provides a free bowhunting education, but it’s not necessary to hunt. There’s no minimum age requirement, and you pay only when you pass the bowhunting exam. The Weber County Archery Park is located at 2840 F Avenue, Ogden, UT 84401. The WCAP opened in July of 2020 and offers our users an 11 acre park which includes: an indoor facility housing an archery shop, classroom and range with shooting distances up to 60 yards, an outdoor area that has over 50 bag and 3D targets ranging from 10 to 100+ yards.
Archery is fun for the whole family!
Kids
SUMMER BUCKET LIST
BY MELISSA SPELTS I like to sit down with my family and come up with a summer bucket list. It’s fun to hear what crazy ideas my kids come up with. I usually think, if we can, we will do it. Sometimes I have to say, “be brave and try,” think rope swings! On the right are things that have been on our summer bucket list that might help get your ideas flowing.
“Thank you so much for creating this list. My girls
loved it! We got out and did activities that we otherwise wouldn’t have. I hope you do it again next year.” -Vanessa Wilson
Vanessa’s daughters enjoying a paper boat challenge from last year’s bucketlist.
Whatever is on your list, make sure to enjoy the summer with your kids and remember to take photos because as my Grandma Frehner used to always say — “You’ll thank me later.”
Join a library reading program:
Find a book to read together as a family, e.i. Harry Potter, Charlottes
Web, The Lion, The Witch and the
Wardrobe, etc.
Monday “fun” day: do something fun with your kids on this day every week (choose a day that works best for you).
You could do crafts, challenges, or a sport. Go swimming at the lake, swimming
pool, or aquatic center.
Picnic at a fun park. Go fishing at a lake or at the Fish
Farm in North Ogden if you want to
for sure catch a fish. Ride bikes to your favorite ice cream place or to get donuts. Learn something new: sewing,
crafting, quilting, canning, or musical instruments.
Have a Bob Ross day and watch one of his instructional videos; try to replicate his painting techniques. Take pictures of all the activities
you do in the summer and make an
“end of summer video” to watch via projector in the back yard or at a family gathering with extended family.
Have a cake decorating party (you can buy pre made cakes at a local grocery store or make your “own.” Go on a hike. Go to a carnival or fair. Grow a garden. Do service for a neighbor. Go for a drive and explore new parts
of Utah you haven’t seen yet.
Camp out in the back yard for a night and star gaze. Go hammocking. Go on a scavenger hunt. Run through the sprinklers. Movies in the park. Try the watermelon rubber band
challenge.
Play kickball with friends and family at a local baseball field. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows
over a fire.
Make homemade play dough. Have a water balloon fight or play
water balloon games.
PHOTOGRAPHY SERIES
PROPS & POSES
BY MELISSA SPELTS
Photography is another form of telling a story. I have seen two people take pictures of the same thing, and they tell totally different
stories. Sometimes, one picture is much more striking and beautiful than another of the same thing. A good photographer must develop “the eye” that helps them see how to frame and capture awesome photos. 5 My hope with these articles are to inspire you to go out and take pictures of things that are most important to you and to get shots that you are happy about. I hope you will snap pictures of people you love and places that are dear to you. Photography is such a fun way to be creative and to capture and chronicle specific times in your life. When I am taking pictures of people, I love to come prepared with fun ideas and props to enhance my photos. I look on
Little toes & feet are so cute!
Pinterest for poses and prop ideas and make a folder so I won’t forget all my ideas in the middle of a shoot. Even though I am copying ideas, they always come out uniquely because of the different personalities of my subjects, which is so fun.
HANDS HANDS HANDS
I often get the question from those being photographed, “What do I do with my hands?” I want hands to do something natural. It shouldn’t look awkward or stiff. Put them in your pocket or on your hips or even just let them hang at your side.
My favorite props for pictures with children and teens are balloons, bubbles, and bubble gum. Anytime I use these things, I get the biggest smiles, sometimes involuntarily, which is very helpful. They also help me catch some candid photos of them having fun. It can bring out the happy side of any kid, big or small. Blankets, chairs, a chalk board with a message on it can also be fun. I also love including pets, a favorite tree they love to climb, a bike that they ride everyday, basketball, or other sport accessories, or ballet shoes. Really, use anything that shows the interest of the target. I also like to go to the dollar store and get a pack of prop mustaches and tiaras and let people pick one they like. It is just for fun, and not every thing you use will be your favorite so try a few different ideas.
Some of my favorite poses are:
* Big group hugs (makes everyone smile) * From above with everyone looking up * Squatting down and turning legs to the side * Sitting on a chair with the back of the chair forward, arms folded on the back of the chair * Leaning up against a wall or tree * With little kids, I would have the kids take their shoes and socks off and I would show their little feet and toes, so cute! * Sitting on a fence in front of a field
John W. Hansen and Associates Real Estate
BY ANN PARK Celebrating forty years of helping clients find homes
John is very grateful for his team. When he started in real estate, he worked alone and has gradually added agents and staff.
INFO
Business: Real Estate Services 5730 S 1475 E #200, Ogden, UT 84403 (801) 479-1500 johnwhansen.com John W. Hansen and
Associates Real Estate is celebrating 40 years of successfully serving clients. They are an integral part of the real estate community in Northern Utah, helping clients of all kinds, from families and individuals looking for a place to call home to large corporations providing foundational public services. This prominent brokerage has grown from one man into a tight-knit team of well-trained, experienced professionals. When John W. Hansen got started in real estate, he worked alone. He gradually added agents and staff as the business expanded. Many of his team members have worked with him for over 25 years. John is very grateful for his team. “The foundation of this brokerage is the integrity and professionalism of the agents and staff I work with. We’ve worked closely for a long time, and we work very well together. This increases our productivity as a company.” Before working in real estate, John taught seminary for eight years for The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints. He said that the key lesson he took from his time teaching was “to treat others as you would like to be treated.” His underlying love of serving people created a solid foundation for his business, and people naturally wanted to work with him.
During his long and distinguished time in real estate, John has been highly awarded by the Northern Wasatch Association of Realtors.
The John W. Hansen brokerage has handled over 20,000 transactions over the years. Looking back, there were many particular projects that stood out to John. He sold 10,000 acres to the State of Utah, in the Middle Fork area of Ogden Valley, and sold the Wolf Creek Resort. More recently, he handled the sale of 60 acres of property where the new IHC hospital is now located. He has handled the development of several major office complexes in Weber and Davis counties.
John proudly represented America First Credit Union as their broker. “They trusted me to acquire their sites for 25 years. It’s truly been an honor to work with so many wonderful local businesses.” Even though John has turned the day-to-day running of his company over to his son Marc, he still works every day. “I have no plans to retire,” he says. “I’ve never turned down a listing of any size.” John continues to use his work ethic, love of service, and experience to be the driving force behind this dynamic real estate team. “I’m very grateful for the work I’ve been able to do. My business can’t grow alone. A real estate brokerage needs financial institutions, title companies, engineers, architects, contractors, and many others in order to function. It takes a whole community to create a successful business, and we are so grateful to all those who have supported us during the last 40 years.”
JOHN W. HANSEN
Principal Broker 801-540-2000
MARC J. HANSEN
Associate Broker 801-458-6272
BRAD ALLEN
Realtor 801-391-0870
MATT NELSON
Realtor 801-529-6609
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE SINCE 1982
Successfully working with Buyers and Sellers
JEFF HALES Associate Broker 801-540-9947
TYSON HALES Realtor 801-668-9216
TRUDI WANGSGARD Realtor - GRI, CRS 801-391-1500
JENI RHEES
Realtor 801-710-3853
TERRY VENABLE
Associate Broker 801-628-2727
AIMEE WILLIAMS Realtor 801-668-4115
GLENDON MANWARING Associate Broker 801-540-1444
KENYATTA GREEN Realtor 801-389-7743
MIKE WAYMENT
Realtor 801-791-8983
KORY JOHNSON
Realtor 801-430-0251
DALLIN REMPP Realtor 801-528-8743
JANNETTE HENRIE Realtor 801-391-4003
TASHA HADFIELD
Realtor/Licensed Assistant 801-698-5280
JONI NEAL
Realtor 801-628-5517
PAM PETROFF
Realtor 801-698-4004
LEON NELSON
Realtor 801-319-7242
SHANE NISHIKAWA Realtor 801-644-3419
ALISA GUNN Realtor 801-829-8203
TONY BODILY
Agent 801-941-6686
BOSTON ALLEN
Realtor 801-648-8024
LEISHA MAW
Realtor 801-668-7143
GENNEVA BLANCHARD Head of Operations
BECKY MEYERHOFFER
Assistant
ANITA STANLEY
Assistant
KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT INSURANCE
By Beth Holland – Cincinnati Insurance Companies
INSURANCE CARRIERS
Acuity Auto-Owners Insurance Bear River Mutual Blue Cross Blue Shield Central Insurance Companies Germantown Mutual Insurance Company Markel Insurance Company Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance Progressive Safeco Insurance Select Health The Cincinnati Insurance Companies Travelers USLI WCF Insurance
Call for a FREE
QUOTE TODAY!
Most people research major purchases such as houses, cars or electronics to assure they receive the best value for their money. It’s equally important to know what you’re getting when you buy insurance to protect your family and financial well-being.
The purpose of insurance is to decrease financial uncertainty and make an accidental loss manageable. Insurance does this by accepting insurance premium to assume specific losses, and a promise to pay in the event a covered loss occurs.
As you complete your research, feel more confident knowing these facts about insurance:
NOT ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE ALIKE.
Insurance companies vary in the financial strength that backs your policy, assuring they can meet their financial obligations to pay claims. Look for an insurance carrier that is financially strong and consistently qualifies for high financial strength ratings from A.M. Best Co., an independent provider of insurer ratings. A local independent agent who lives in your community has a long-term interest in protecting you by following through to your satisfaction.
INSURANCE POLICIES PROVIDE DIFFERENT COVERAGES.
While many insurance policies contain similar coverages, each company provides unique policy conditions and limitations. Policies that look alike can be changed by a single exclusion or endorsement. It’s vital to read your policy carefully to understand what you’re getting. It might be tempting to move to a different carrier for a premium savings, but if they are offering less coverage, it may not be worth it.
INSURANCE COMPANIES PROVIDE VARYING LEVELS OF CUSTOMER OR CLAIMS SERVICE.
Sometimes the age-old adage is true: “you get what you pay for.” Your state department of insurance and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners can tell you which companies have the fewest complaints and resolve them effectively. Look for a company that provides personal treatment, prompt contact and fair settlement.
YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER THE COST OF YOUR INSURANCE.
An independent agent can pinpoint exactly how changes in your deductible or your lifestyle can lower your insurance costs. They can propose safety measures that earn you discounts or tell you how to package one policy with another to save money and improve coverage.
CONCLUSION:
Independent insurance agents make a living by knowing which companies act responsibly and which policies are best for a specific client’s need. Your local agent can help you make an informed insurance purchase to provide the security, quality, and convenience your family deserves.
HEINER’S INSURANCE CENTER 606 Washington Blvd. Ogden, UT 84404 (801) 621-2620
www.heinerins.com VISIT US!
Kids Summer Reading List
FAVORITES FOR EVERY AGE GROUP
by Clelia Guinn, Children’s Specialist at the North Branch library
For children
I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared!
By Seth Meyers, illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr.
Watercress
By Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin
Mel Fell
Written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor
The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas
By Maria Garcia Esperon, illustrated by Amanda Mijangos, translated by David Bowles
The Last Cuentista
By Donna Barba Higuera
A Bird Will Soar
By Alison Green Myers
The Boy Who Met a Whale
By Nizrana Farook
For teens
One for All
By Lillie Lainoff
Red, White, and Whole
by Rajani LaRocca
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
By Axie Oh
Six Crimson Cranes
By Elizabeth Lim
Winter in Sokcho
By Élisa Shua Duspain
Cold
By Mariko Tamaki
A Snake Falls to Earth
By Darcie Little Badger
The Ivory Key
By Akshaya Raman Four royal siblings must find a new source of magic to protect their country from invading forces. Each sibling has sometime to gain from finding the Ivory Key, but they have even more to lose if they don’t. The most difficult part of their quest might just be finding a way to work together.
FIND THESE TITLES AT THE NORTH BRANCH LIBRARY AND JOIN OUR SUMMER READING PROGRAM!
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners
By Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers’. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother’s, her grandmother’s, and her little sister’s. Drawing from the strength of these powerful women in her life, she recognizes her own beauty and discovers a path to self-love and empowerment.
Saluting Our Service Members: Military Spotlight
By The Major Brent Taylor Foundation and Jenny Goldsberry
Angelique A. Pifer
Lieutenant Colonel Angelique A. Pifer joined the Army Reserves in college. After finishing boot camp, her dad, Master Sergeant Michael Kincanon, who has since retired from the Army, suggested she begin training as an officer. Luckily, her university had an ROTC program, so she was able to join. There, she met her husband Ryan Pifer, also an Army Lieutenant Colonel.
“Comically, we couldn’t stand each other,” Angelique remembers. Eventually, they were colloquial with each other. In her senior year, Angelique volunteered to coach a U10 boys’ soccer team. She felt the boys needed a male role model, so she asked Ryan to help coach, and the rest is history. Angelique was commissioned on Active Duty in December 2001, as an Air Defense Artillery officer. While stationed in Germany, she conducted operations in Turkey and Crete, working with NATO partners and the Israeli Defense Force. Meanwhile, Ryan deployed to Iraq as an infantry officer. Soon after Ryan redeployed, they transitioned to Military Intelligence and moved to Arizona, then Fort Hood, Texas, where they had their first baby. While in Texas, they deployed to Iraq, and their son went to live in Utah with his grandparents. Upon redeploying, they moved to the Defense Language Institute for command and had baby number two. While there, Angelique applied to a specialty branch of the Army, and Ryan was accepted into special training. They moved to the nation’s capital where Angelique earned her master’s and then worked at the Pentagon and Defense Intelligence Agency. By this point, they had three children.
Their next assignment took them back to Germany, where they had their fourth child. In a full-circle moment, their oldest son was invited to play on a German soccer team as the lone American. Angelique was notified she was selected to be a Professor of Military Science, days before her deployment to Jordan. She accepted a three-year position at Johns Hopkins University, which brought them all back to the east coast. She loved the job so much that she requested to continue her calling at Weber State University, where she remains today. She enjoys training the 100+ cadets from Weber State and Utah State Universities. At times, they get frustrated with the training, but when faced with challenges, are exposed to different types of leadership, and get to interact with cadets from other programs, they quickly appreciate the training they received from Angelique and others. Her cadets are currently gathering at Fort Knox, Kentucky(where she is currently), to complete training with cadets from 238 ROTC programs across the nation. Every year, she helps cadets get on the same path that brought her and her family amazing memories and meaning to their lives. As the Pifers get ready to retire in North Ogden, they reflect on the friends they made across the world: those who went above and beyond to befriend them despite their transitory lifestyle. They would encourage everyone in the community to get to know the military members here, no matter how brief their time here might be.
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HELP US HONOR A MILITARY MEMBER! Are you a military member in the North Ogden area? Do
you know one?
Submit nominations to be featured in the magazine at www.connectionpub. com/military.html
ABOUT US:
Contact us at info@majorbrenttaylor.com if you have a local military member to highlight
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Veteran’s day is November 11th. The week before will include our Fundraiser Gala. You won’t want to miss it!
