Thread:61Storm/@comment-29709319-20190401001525/@comment-29709319-20190531052434

National Theme For May 31st: Autonomous Vehicle Day, National Save Your Hearing Day, National Speak in Sentences Day, National Macaroon Day, National Smile Day, Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Day, and 🇺🇸National Utah Day.

🚙National Autonomous Vehicle Day! An autonomous vehicle, including self-driving cars (both manned and unmanned) and unmanned aerial vehicles, may seem like something out of a science fiction movie, but these cutting edge technologies have placed a variety of industries at a precipice of change. Cars that take us from point A to point B without having to touch the wheel are already a reality in some states. Autonomous Friendly Corridors, like one proposed in North Dakota, could boost commerce and become centers of more innovation. Pilot programs have launched and are being tested in differing formats. In 2017 the first ten testing sites dedicated to developing autonomous vehicles were announced by the US Department of Transportation. While some states grapple with how this new technology affects current laws and what changes may need to be made, others have already addressed those questions paving the way (or the skies) for autonomous vehicles to make their debut in their own states. Testing is underway in proving grounds like Pittsburgh and San Diego and planned in many more. Advancements in technology are propelling industry and infrastructure to keep pace. Proposals range far and wide, influencing agriculture, commerce, medicine and transportation. According to the Brookings Institution, one-quarter of all cars will be autonomous by 2040. National Autonomous Vehicle Day recognizes that the future is here and it’s in the form of a self-driving car that gets us safely from here to there. Emerging Prairie and Marlo Anderson founded National Autonomous Vehicle Day to celebrate the advances in the Autonomous Vehicle industry and the potential opportunities for business and technology growth related to this phenomenal concept.

🎗National Save Your Hearing Day! It is important to take some time to learn ways to protect your hearing and that of your family. Our hearing is vital, and there are ways that hearing loss can be avoidable. There are various reasons from which hearing loss can be the result, some of which include: Age, Noise, Genetic, Illness, Neurological Disorders, Medications, Chemicals, Physical Trauma and Neurobiological Factors. It is estimated half of the cases of hearing impairment and deafness are preventable. There are many effective, preventative strategies including immunization against rubella to reduce congenital infections, immunization against H. influenza and S. pneumonia to reduce cases of middle ear infections, and avoiding or protecting against excessive noise exposure. For more information, visit http://www.betterhearing.org/ or http://www.betterhearing.org/hearing_loss_prevention/index.cfm Always be alert to hazardous noise and wear proper hearing protection when needed!

🗣National Speak in Complete Sentences Day is dedicated to using proper sentence structure while speaking. In fact, you could celebrate the day while texting as well. So no LOL or ASAP on this day. So if you must Laugh Out Loud As Soon As Possible, you will need to say or type it completely.

🍪National Macaroon Day celebrates the macaroon, a small coconut cookie. The coconut macaroon is most commonly found in the United States. Most varieties of coconut macaroons are dipped in milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate. Almonds, pecans, cashews or other nuts are sometimes added to the cookie.

😀National Smile Day encourages everyone to wear their best smile! We generate a smile when funny things happen or find pleasure in the things we do. Someone we love or enjoy spending time with may be the cause of a grin or beaming look of joy. Smiles are powerful! They not only create engagement between two people but the more a person smiles, the healthier their brain can be. Smiling has a direct link to our brain and can help to reduce stress. There is so much a smile can do. Just one smile can brighten someone’s day. It can also improve your day. Smiles are infectious. A healthy smile can develop confidence and generate a new outlook on the world.

🎗Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Day shines a light on this rare disease which affects the soft tissues of the skin and if not treated properly can spread quickly. (Necrotizing fasciitis (NF), commonly known as flesh-eating disease, is an infection that results in the death of parts of the body's soft tissue. It is a severe disease of sudden onset that spreads rapidly. Symptoms include red or purple skin in the affected area, severe pain, fever, and vomiting. The most commonly affected areas are the limbs and perineum.) Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Day offers more than information. It encourages support and provides resources to those who have been affected by the disease.

🇺🇸Utah became the 45th state admitted to the U.S. on January 4, 1896 and is the 13th-largest by area, 30th-most-populous of the 50 United States. Nickname(s): Beehive State (official), The Mormon State, Deseret. Motto: Industry. State song: "Utah…This Is The Place". Capital and largest city is Salt Lake City. Highest point is Kings Peak at 13,534 ft (4,120.3 m). Lowest point is Beaver Dam Wash at the Arizona border at 2,180 ft (664.4 m). Living insignia; Bird: 🕊California gull, Fish: 🐟Bonneville cutthroat trout, Flower: 🌸Sego lily, Grass: 🌾Indian ricegrass, Mammal: 🦌Rocky Mountain Elk, Reptile: 🦎Gila monster, Tree: 🌳Quaking aspen. Inanimate insignia; Fruit: 🍒Cherry, Insect: 🐝Honey bee, Dance: 💃Square dance, Dinosaur: Utahraptor, Firearm: Browning M1911, Fossil: Allosaurus, Gemstone: Topaz, Mineral: Copper, Tartan: Utah State Centennial Tartan, Cooking pot: Dutch oven. The Gila monster is a species of venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexican state of Sonora. A heavy, typically slow-moving lizard, up to 2 ft (60 cm) long, the Gila monster is the only venomous lizard native to the United States and one of only two known species of venomous lizards in North America, the other being its close relative, the Mexican beaded lizard. Although the Gila monster is venomous, its sluggish nature means it represents little threat to humans. However, it has acquired a fearsome reputation, and is sometimes killed despite being protected by state law in Arizona. In 2019, the state of Utah made the Gila monster its official state reptile. Approximately 62% of Utahns are reported to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), making Utah the only state with a majority population belonging to a single church. This greatly influences Utahn culture and daily life. The LDS Church's world headquarters is located in Salt Lake City. The Navajo, settled in the Utah region around the 18th century. In the mid-18th century, other Uto-Aztecan tribes, including the Goshute, the Paiute, the Shoshone, and the Ute people, also settled in the region. These five groups were present when the first European explorers arrived. Southern Utah was explored by the Spanish in 1540, led by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, while looking for the legendary Cíbola (Seven Cities of Gold). The Spanish made further explorations in the region, but were not interested in colonizing the area because of its desert nature. European trappers and fur traders explored some areas of Utah in the early 19th century. In late 1824, Jim Bridger became the first known English-speaking person to sight the Great Salt Lake, thinking he had found the Pacific Ocean due to its high salinity waters. American and Canadian traders and trappers established trading posts in the region after that. Migrants then traveling from the Eastern United States to the American West began to make stops in the region of the Great Salt Lake. Following the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, Brigham Young, as president of the Quorum of the Twelve, became the effective leader of the LDS Church in Nauvoo, Illinois. To address the growing conflicts between his people and their neighbors, Young agreed with Illinois Governor Thomas Ford in October 1845 that the Mormons would leave by the following year. Young and the first band of Mormon pioneers reached the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. Salt Lake City became the hub of a "far-flung commonwealth" of Mormon settlements. Throughout the remainder of the 19th century, Mormon pioneers established hundreds of other settlements in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, California, Canada, and Mexico. Utah was Mexican territory when the first pioneers arrived in 1847. The entire Southwest became U.S. territory upon the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2, 1848 after the Mexican–American War. Learning that California and New Mexico were applying for statehood, the settlers of the Utah area (originally having planned to petition for territorial status) applied for statehood with an ambitious plan for a State of Deseret. The Utah Territory was much smaller than the proposed state of Deseret, but it still contained all of the present states of Nevada and Utah as well as pieces of Wyoming and Colorado. It was created with the Compromise of 1850, and Fillmore was designated the capital. The territory was given the name Utah after the Ute tribe of Native Americans. Salt Lake City replaced Fillmore as the territorial capital in 1856. Disputes between the Mormon inhabitants and the U.S. government intensified due to the practice of plural marriage, or polygamy, among members of The Church. Members of the LDS Church were viewed as un-American and rebellious when news of their polygamous practices spread. The detailed reports of life in Utah caused the administration of James Buchanan to send a secret military "expedition" to Utah. When the supposed rebellion should be quelled, Alfred Cumming would take the place of Brigham Young as territorial governor. The resulting conflict is known as the Utah War, nicknamed "Buchanan's Blunder" by the Mormon leaders. Albert Sidney Johnston established Camp Floyd, 40 miles (60 km) away from Salt Lake City, to the southwest. Because of the American Civil War, federal troops were pulled out of Utah Territory in 1861. The territory was then left in LDS hands until Patrick E. Connor arrived with a regiment of California volunteers in 1862. Connor established Fort Douglas just 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Salt Lake City and encouraged his people to discover mineral deposits to bring more non-Mormons into the territory. Minerals were discovered in Tooele County and miners began to flock to the territory. Beginning in 1865, Utah's Black Hawk War developed into the deadliest conflict in the territory's history. The war is unique among Indian Wars because it was a three-way conflict, with mounted Timpanogos Utes led by Antonga Black Hawk fighting federal and LDS authorities. On May 10, 1869, the First Transcontinental Railroad was completed at Promontory Summit, north of the Great Salt Lake. During the 1870s and 1880s laws were passed to punish polygamists due, in part, to the stories coming forth regarding Utah. In the 1890 Manifesto, the LDS Church banned polygamy. When Utah applied for statehood again, it was accepted. One of the conditions for granting Utah statehood was that a ban on polygamy be written into the state constitution. This was a condition required of other western states that were admitted into the Union later. Statehood was officially granted on January 4, 1896. Beginning in the early 20th century, with the establishment of such national parks as Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park, Utah became known for its natural beauty. Since the establishment of Alta Ski Area in 1939 and the subsequent development of several ski resorts in the state's mountains, Utah's skiing has become world-renowned. Salt Lake City won the bid for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and this served as a great boost to the economy. The ski resorts have increased in popularity, and many of the Olympic venues built along the Wasatch Front continue to be used for sporting events. In 1957, Utah created the Utah State Parks Commission with four parks. Today, Utah State Parks manages 43 parks and several undeveloped areas totaling over 95,000 acres (380 km2) of land and more than 1,000,000 acres (4,000 km2) of water. Utah is a rugged and geographically diverse state that is at the convergence of three distinct geological regions: the Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau. Utah is one of the Four Corners states, by Colorado in the east; at a single point by New Mexico to the southeast; by Arizona in the south. Utah's temperatures are extreme, with cold temperatures in winter due to its elevation, and very hot summers statewide (with the exception of mountain areas and high mountain valleys). Utah is usually protected from major blasts of cold air by mountains lying north and east of the state, although major Arctic blasts can occasionally reach the state. Average January high temperatures range from around 30°F (-1°C) in some northern valleys to almost 55°F (13°C) in St. George. Temperatures dropping below 0°F (-18°C) should be expected on occasion in most areas of the state most years, although some areas see it often. In July, average highs range from about 85 to 100°F (29 to 38°C). However, the low humidity and high elevation typically leads to large temperature variations, leading to cool nights most summer days. The record high temperature in Utah was 118°F (48°C), recorded south of St. George on July 4, 2007, and the record low was -69°F (-56°C), recorded at Peter Sinks in the Bear River Mountains of northern Utah on February 1, 1985. However, the record low for an inhabited location is -49°F (-45°C) at Woodruff on December 12, 1932. Sports; Utah has two professional teams: The Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association play at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City. The team moved to the city from New Orleans in 1979 and has been one of the most consistently successful teams in the league (although they have yet to win a championship). Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer was founded in 2005 and play their home matches at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy. RSL remains the only Utah major league sports team to have won a national championship, having won the MLS Cup in 2009. Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. Utah has hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Uniting Fore Care Classic and currently the Utah Championship. 1️⃣Canyonlands National Park is an American national park located in southeastern Utah near the town of Moab. Legislation creating the park was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on September 12, 1964. The Park preserves 337,598 acres of colorful canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches, and spires in the heart of southeast Utah's high desert. Water and gravity have been the prime architects of this land, sculpting layers of rock into the rugged landscape. The geography of the park is well suited to a number of different recreational uses. Hikers, mountain bikers, backpackers, and four-wheelers all enjoy traveling the rugged, remote trails within the Park. The White Rim Road traverses the White Rim Sandstone level of the park between the rivers and the Island in the Sky. Since 2015, day-use permits must be obtained before travelling on the White Rim Road due to the increasing popularity of driving and bicycling along it. Canyonlands preserves the natural beauty and human history throughout its four districts, which are divided by the Green and Colorado rivers. While the districts share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration and adventure. The four districts: 🍃Island in the Sky is the most accessible district, offering expansive views from many overlooks along the paved scenic drive, several hikes of varying length and a moderate four-wheel-drive route called the White Rim Road. 🍃The Needles offer more of a backcountry experience, requiring some hiking or four-wheel driving to see the area's attractions. 🍃The Maze is a remote district requiring considerably more time and self-reliance to visit. The Orange Cliffs Unit on the western boundary is co-administered by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. 🍃Horseshoe Canyon Unit, Northwest of The Maze, Horseshoe Canyon is a day-use area with stunning American Indian rock art panels. 🍃The Rivers: Flatwater trips on the Green or Colorado rivers and whitewater trips in Cataract Canyon are unique ways to experience the park that usually involve two or more days of boating. Rafters and kayakers float the calm stretches of the Green River and Colorado River above the Confluence. Below the Confluence, Cataract Canyon contains powerful whitewater rapids, similar to those found in the Grand Canyon. However, since there is no large impoundment on the Colorado River above Canyonlands National Park, river flow through the Confluence is determined by snowmelt, not management. As a result, and in combination with Cataract Canyon's unique graben geology, this stretch of river offers the largest whitewater in North America in heavy snow years. Though they appear close on a map, there are no roads that directly link the districts. Traveling between them requires two to six hours by car as there are few places to cross the rivers. 2️⃣Anasazi State Park Museum is a state park and museum in Southern Utah featuring the ruins of an ancient Anasazi village referred to as the Coombs Village Site. Established as a Utah state park in 1960, the 6-acre (2.4 ha) Anasazi State Park Museum is open year-round, and features a visitor center, a museum with examples of Anasazi pottery and other artifacts, a museum store, an auditorium, and picnic areas. There is no camping. It is located in Boulder, Utah, at the edge of 11,000-foot-tall (3,400 m) Boulder Mountain. The park is focused around the reconstructed ruins of an ancient Anasazi village, referred to as the Coombs Village Site, which is located directly behind the museum. There is a self-guided trail visitors can take through the village with interpretive signs explaining the various features of the village, and the culture of the people who once lived there. The Coombs Site is the site of one of the largest Anasazi communities known to have existed west of the Colorado River. The name Anasazi, Navajo for "Ancient Enemies," or "Enemies of Our Ancestors" describes the Pueblo culture that existed in the Four Corners area from about 1 AD to 1300 AD. This village is believed to have been occupied from 1160 AD to 1235 AD. As many as 250 people lived there. The village is largely unexcavated, though there was a brief excavation during 1958 and 1959, conducted by the University of Utah as part of the Glen Canyon Dam Project. During that excavation, archeologists uncovered thousands of artifacts, and discovered a community of about 90 rooms divided into two separate one-story apartment complexes. An L-shaped building has been reconstructed and can be entered into by visitors. The cluster featured open shelters for working in the shade, storage pits, and adobe pit houses large enough for five or six residents. All together, about 100 structures have been found. Evidence, such as singed structural building supports, suggest that the town was abandoned after a village-wide fire. There was also a serious drought occurring in the region during that time that may have also been a factor. Arches National Park Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument  Capitol Reef National Park. 3️⃣Devils Garden of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument(GSENM) in south central Utah is a protected area featuring hoodoos, natural arches and other sandstone formations. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) designated the name Devils Garden without an apostrophe according to USGS naming conventions on December 31, 1979. The area is also known as the Devils Garden Outstanding Natural Area within the National Landscape Conservation System. The formations in the Devils Garden were created, and continue to be shaped, by various weathering and erosional processes. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers the Devils Garden and the entire GSENM which is the first national monument assigned to the BLM. The Devils Garden is located about 17 mi (27 km) by road southeast of Escalante, Utah. To the west of the area are the Straight Cliffs which define the eastern edge of the Kaiparowits Plateau. To the east of the area is the Escalante River whose tributaries have formed many slot canyons. To the north is the Dixie National Forest and to the south are the Hole-in-the-Rock and Lake Powell which are located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The Devils Garden is situated at an elevation of 5,243 ft (1,598 m). The area measures 640 acres which is equal to 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometres). The Hole-in-the-Rock Road is the main access road to the Devils Garden. The unpaved road heads southeast into the national monument beginning at its intersection with Utah Scenic Byway 12 about 5 mi (8.0 km) east of Escalante. After traveling about 12 mi (19 km) along the Hole-in-the-Rock Road there is a road to the right leading to the Devils Garden area. The majority of the interesting sandstone formations are located in a compact area adjacent to the parking lot. Metate Arch is a slender caprock natural arch located near the center of the Devils Garden, while a thicker arch named Mano Arch is located southeast of Metate Arch. Many hoodoos of varying sizes and shapes are scattered throughout the Devils Garden, with a particular group of four prominent hoodoos, with no official USGS name, being a popular photographic subject. The natural arches and other formations were created, and continue to be shaped, by the natural processes of weathering and erosion. Some of the rock layers are composed of a harder caprock material which resists the effects of weathering and erosion. Those caprock layers will remain intact much longer than other less resistant layers which weather and erode away below and around them leaving behind the current arches and hoodoos. Cycles of heat and cold, precipitation, ice, wind and gravity all play a part in the creation of the formations. There are no marked trails but many well-worn footpaths lead to the most interesting formations. Since the Devils Garden is part of a protected area, visitors must not disturb any plants, animals or the delicate biological soil crust. Climbing on or over the natural arches is not permitted by the BLM. Picnic tables and toilet facilities are available. Water is not available and there are no other services provided. Primitive camping is allowed at some points along the Hole-in-the-Rock Road but not at the Devils Garden area or parking lot. A free camping permit is required in advance to camp within the national monument. Paleontologists are interested in the area because the rock formations were deposited when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Many dinosaur fossils and tracks have been discovered by scientists working within the boundaries of the GSENM. 4️⃣Capitol Reef National Park is an American national park in south-central Utah. The park is approximately 60 miles (97 km) long on its north–south axis and just 6 miles (9.7 km) wide on average. The park was established in 1971 but not open to the public until 1950 and is open year round. The closest town to Capitol Reef is Torrey, about 11 mi (18 km) west of the visitor center on Highway 24, slightly west of its intersection with Highway 12. Highway 12, as well as a partially unpaved scenic backway named the Burr Trail, provide access from the west through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the town of Boulder. Capitol Reef is a 241,904 acres (377.98 sq mi; 97,895.08 ha; 978.95 km2) or 378 sq miles (980 km2) of sandstone canyons, ridges, buttes, and monoliths. The park is defined by the Waterpocket Fold, a 100 mi (160 km) long wrinkle in the earth's crust known as a monocline. The Fold extends from nearby Thousand Lakes Mountain to the Colorado River (now Lake Powell). Capitol Reef National Park was established to protect this grand and colorful geologic feature, as well as the unique natural and cultural history found in the area. The name was derived from the rounded sandstone buttes which resemble capitol domes and from the long line of rocky cliffs which are a barrier to travel, like a coral reef. Travelers to the park experience a dazzling landscape of rock formations. From colorful domes, high cliffs, and towering spires of sandstone to arches, natural bridges, and narrow slot canyons. The desert streams, such as the Fremont, wind through the Park, carving deep canyons and meandering through floodplains surrounded by narrow ribbons of greenery. The Waterpocket Fold defines the park. A 100-mile long warp in the Earth's crust, the Waterpocket Fold is a classic monocline: a regional fold with one very steep side in an area of otherwise nearly horizontal layers. A monocline is a "step-up" in the rock layers. The layers on the west side of the Fold have been lifted more than 7,000 ft (2,100 m) higher than those on the east. The park was established primarily to preserve the geologic features of the Waterpocket Fold, such as the scenic rock domes and narrow canyons. The most visible plant life in the park is found in the riparian corridors near Fruita. Along the rivers, you may see cottonwoods and willows as well as the invasive tamarisk. Pioneer orchards along the Fremont River sport apple, apricot, pear, peach, and cherry trees. In the dryer areas of the park, you may see sagebrush, Utah Juniper, various prickly pear cacti, and higher elevations may feature pinyon pine. The cacti, along with some desert wildflowers, bloom briefly in the early spring. The orchards planted by Mormon pioneers are maintained by the National Park Service. From early March to mid-October, various fruit—cherries, apricots, peaches, pears, or apples—can be harvested by visitors for a fee. The park has one developed campground that requires reservations from March to October, and two primitive free camping areas. Backcountry camping elsewhere in the park requires a free permit available at the visitor center. Activities in the park include hiking, horseback riding, and driving tours. Mountain biking is prohibited on park trails but allowed on roadways. Summer temperatures often climb into the upper 90s(F), but nights cool down into the 50s(F) and 60s(F). The thunderstorm season from July through September brings cloudbursts, flash floods and lightning. NOTE: The Golden Throne. Though Capitol Reef is famous for white domes of Navajo Sandstone, this dome's color is a result of a lingering section of yellow Carmel Formation carbonate, which has stained the underlying rock. 5️⃣Monument Valley is a region of the Colorado Plateau characterized by a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 1,000 ft (300 m) above the valley floor. It is located on the Arizona–Utah border near the Four Corners (noted below) area. The valley lies within the territory of the Navajo Nation Reservation and is accessible from U.S. Highway 163. The elevation of the valley floor ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 feet (1,500 to 1,800 m) above sea level. The floor is largely siltstone of the Cutler Group, or sand derived from it, deposited by the meandering rivers that carved the valley. The valley's vivid red color comes from iron oxide exposed in the weathered siltstone. The darker, blue-gray rocks in the valley get their color from manganese oxide. The buttes are clearly stratified, with three principal layers. The lowest layer is the Organ Rock Shale, the middle is de Chelly Sandstone, and the top layer is the Moenkopi Formation capped by Shinarump Conglomerate. The valley includes large stone structures including the famed "Eye of the Sun". Monument Valley is officially a large area that includes much of the area surrounding Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, a Navajo Nation equivalent to a national park. Oljato, for example, is also within the area designated as Monument Valley. Visitors may pay an access fee and drive through the park on a 17-mile (27 km) dirt road. Parts of Monument Valley, such as Mystery Valley and Hunts Mesa, are accessible only by guided tour. Monument Valley experiences a desert climate with cold winters and hot summers. While the summers may be hot, the heat is tempered by the region's high altitude. Although the valley experiences an average of 54 days above 90°F (32°C) annually, summer highs rarely exceed 100°F (38°C). Summer nights are comfortably cool, and temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Winters are cold, but daytime highs are usually above freezing. Even in the winter, temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) are uncommon, though possible. Monument Valley receives an occasional light snowfall in the winter; however, it usually melts within a day or two. Monument Valley has been featured in numerous computer games, in print, and in motion pictures, including multiple Westerns directed by John Ford that influenced audiences' view of the American West, such as: Stagecoach (1939), My Darling Clementine (1946), Fort Apache (1948), and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949). Many more recent movies, with other directors, were also filmed in Monument Valley, including Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in the West (in 1967), the first spaghetti western to be filmed outside Europe, and The Lone Ranger (2013 film). NOTE:The Four Corners is a region of the United States consisting of the southwestern corner of Colorado, southeastern corner of Utah, northeastern corner of Arizona, and northwestern corner of New Mexico. The Four Corners area is where the boundaries of the four states meet, and are marked by the Four Corners Monument. It is the only location in the United States where four states meet. Most of the Four Corners region belongs to semi-autonomous Native American nations, the largest of which is the Navajo Nation, followed by Hopi, Ute, and Zuni tribal reserves and nations. The Four Corners region is part of a larger region known as the Colorado Plateau and is mostly rural, rugged, and arid. In addition to the monument, commonly visited areas within Four Corners include Monument Valley, Mesa Verde National Park, Chaco Canyon, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and Canyon de Chelly National Monument. 6️⃣Union Station: In its hayday, nearly 120 trains per day would stop at Ogden's Union Station carrying business and leisure travelers as they made their way across the Country. While the passenger trains have long since stopped, the Union Station has preserved the history and captured stories of the past. Ogden Union Station has four museums and galleries and all are included with one ticket. The four museums are Utah State Railroad Museum, John M. Browning Firearms Museum, Browning-Kimball Classic Car Museum and Utah State Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. 🎨Utah State Railroad Museums in Ogden is the state’s tribute to the role of the “iron horse” in connecting Utah to the rest of the nation. This museum features restored locomotives and cars, some dating back to 1800s. Exhibits trace out the Utah’s tie to the building of the transcontinental railroad and share the sights and sounds from the golden age of rail travel, including a locomotive simulator that offers an engineer’s view of the rails. Personal histories and unique artifacts bring to life a great American tradition. Utah State Railroad Museum's permanent exhibits include the following; ✨Transcontinental Railroad: On May 10, 1869 two great railroads, the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific met at Promontory Summit, Utah. A final railroad spike made of gold was driven to celebrate the first transcontinental railroad. ✨Lucine Cuttoff: The SP's Lucin Cutoff was the railroad's ambitious project to bypass its original alignment from Ogden to Lucin, around the lake and a distance of 146 miles through mountains that rose 700 feet above the lake, was the main line to California. The Lucin Cutoff, also known as the Great Salt Lake Causeway is an engineering marvel. ✨Riding in Style: “Riding in Style,” explores the evolution of passenger train travel, with an emphasis on the African-American railroad service workers who settled in Ogden and built a community here. These were the porters, waiters, cooks and other railroad employees who helped make rail an elegant way to travel throughout the heart of the 20th century. ✨Wattis-Dumke Model Railroad: Showing scale model scenes of local topography have been painstakingly created to depict the local terrain. Model trains zip through significant regional features including the Sierra Nevada, the Lucin Trestle across the Great Salt Lake, Ogden Union Station with Historic 25th Street, Weber Canyon, and Dale Creek, Wyoming. ✨All Aboard Children's Area: Children delight in this newly renovated hands on displays designed especially with active children in mind. The exhibit includes artifacts rail workers used to build and maintain the railroad. ✨Spencer S. Eccles and Dolores (Dore') Fox Rail Center: Experience the sheer immensity of the big locomotives up close outside in the Eccles Rail Center. On display are a large variety of locomotives, switch engines, boxcars, cabooses and a steam powered rotary snow plow. 🎨Browning Firearms Museum celebrates the genius of John M. Browning, inventor of many sporting and military firearms. Original models of firearms designed by John M. Browning are displayed in the museum. These include rifles, shotguns, pistols, machine guns, and cannons. Most familiar firearms, both sporting and military, are included in these inventions. The basic mechanisms of many modern firearms were first invented by John M. Browning, America’s Gun-maker. John M.Browning was well prepared for his chosen field. His father Johnathan had been a gunsmith with many original designs. The family background and inventive ability were brought to bear on a new field opened by the recent invention of the metallic cartridge. The initial effort was to improve the firearms that were used for hunting the big game that was plentiful and a large component of early western life. His inventions expanded from there to include all facets of firearms and dominated the field up to the present day. Browning designs have been the basis for many of the models manufactured by Winchester, Colt, Remington, Stevens, and Fabrique National (FN) of Belgium. The Browning Arms Company is located in Morgan, Utah and has been a continuing supporter of the John M. Browning Arms Museum. Four generations of Browning's are represented in the museum. From Johnathan, the father, there is the “Harmonica” and a revolving cylinder rifle. John M.’s son, Val A., did much of the early work on the superposed shotgun. Bruce W., John M.’s grandson is an inventor and designer of some of the more recent Browning firearms. Collection Categories; ✨Sporting Rifles: The Browning Single Shot Rifle was designed and produced in Ogden. The patent was sold to Winchester in 1883, followed by 18 years of fruitful collaboration. Many original models of the rifles designed for Winchester are on display. These include the Model 94, “the most famous sporting rifle ever produced”. ✨Automatic Firearms: John Browning was one of the first to devise mechanisms to utilize energy generated from firing to load and cycle further rounds. These included: 🌿Gas: Utilized in machine guns and semi-automatic shotguns. 🌿Recoil: Used in larger caliber pistols, rifles and shotguns. 🌿Inertia: Used primarily in small caliberpistols and rifles. ✨Shotguns: The first successful repeating shotgun was a Lever Action manufactured by Winchester. Pump models proved to be more popular. Manufacturers included Winchester, Stevens and Ithica. Early models of semi-automatic shotguns are shown. The final result was the Browning Auto 5 manufactured by FN in Belgium. The culmination of John Browning’s lifes work was the superposed “Over Under” shotgun. ✨Pistols: The Arms Museum displays models designed for semi-automatic pistols. Many were licensed to Colt starting with a 1900 military pistol, a series of “Pocket Pistols” and the Colt Woodsman. The most famous is the 1911 Colt “45”. The U.S. Military side arm for over 75 years. Many others were manufactured by Fabrique National of Belgium. Every country in the world capable of manufacturing firearms has made pistols based on Browning designs. ✨Military: An early Browning machine gun was licensed to Colt in 1895 paving the way for many to be developed for the First World War. Some are still in use by the military today. ☘️The heavy 30 caliber machine gun, mainstay of WW II. ☘️The BAR, introduced in WW I by Val Browning, John’s son. ☘️The 50 caliber machine gun used on vehicles from Jeeps to aircraft and continuing through the Iraq war. ☘️The 37mm automatic cannon. ☘️The Government 45 caliber automatic pistol; roughly 2,000,000 were produced in the 1940’s by Colt and others. ✨Miniature Firearms: The history of firearms is presented through a collection of miniature models depicting the development of firearms from flintlocks through the Gatling Gun to today’s modern firearms. The John M. Browning Firearms museum is located on the second floor at the north end of Union Station, there is access by elevator and stairs. Tickets can be purchased in the Gift Shop in the Grand Lobby. 🎨Browning - Kimball Classic Car Museum; The automobiles on display are examples of the Golden Age of motorcar history. Vehicles range from a 1901 single cylinder Oldsmobile to a 1930 16 cylinder Cadillac. Running boards, huge fenders, oversize match lit headlights and rumble seats are reminders of an extravagant era. History of the Collection: In 1971 Matt and Barbara Browning started their collection with the 1930 Packard Model 733 Standard Eight Dual Cowl Phaeton. As a result of their shared interest in old cars they had an enthusiastic and meticulous quest for rare and pristine original automobiles, resulting in one of the finest collection of prewar Brass American classics assembled in recent history. Their keen interest in people and those who enjoyed their cars led to their participation in car tours and resulted in a legacy of great memories and good friends. Together in 1981 Matt and Barbara dedicated the Browning-Kimball antique car museum at Ogden’s Historic Union Station where the exhibit was continually freshened with new and exciting motor cars from their personal collection. After Matt and Barbara passed away, 1996 & 1999, nine of their collection was donated to Ogden City to be on display here at the museum. They include an exceptional display of fine automobiles. They use these cars for the annual Pioneer Day Parade, July 24th, and other special events. Also on display are two cars donated to the museum, a 1937 Packard 115c business coupe from Max Kennedy of Layton Utah, and a 1929 Durant two door sedan from station volunteers Ed and Louise Cooper. Other items of interest include two antique gas station pumps, a Dansbury and Franklin mint scale model cars and fire engines, and a collection of Utah license plates dating from 1915 thru the 1970s. Award Trophies’ from various car shows, including Concourse D’ Elegance at Pebble Beach. Their volunteers have been very generous with their time donated and artifacts. Steven Sherwood and Alex Jolin are the amazing volunteers responsible for keeping the automobiles polished and in excellent working order. Dave Rusch has donated several items from old service stations, oil and brake fluid cans etc. 🎨Utah State Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Ogden is Utah’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture. Exhibits feature objects that paint a historical picture of the diversity related to the establishment and development of our Western ethic, including those accessories that are peculiar to the American Cowboy. The Utah Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is to honor the cowboy, along with those men and women whose lives exemplify the independence, resilience and creativeness of the people who settled Utah and continue to champion the Western way of life. The museum honors artists, champions, entertainers, musicians, ranchers, writers and those persons past and present, who have promoted the western life style. 7️⃣Zion National Park is an American national park located in southwestern Utah near the town of Springdale. A prominent feature of the 229-square-mile (590 km2) park is Zion Canyon, which is 15 miles (24 km) long and up to 2,640 ft (800 m) deep. The canyon walls are reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone eroded by the North Fork of the Virgin River. The lowest point in the park is 3,666 ft (1,117 m) at Coalpits Wash and the highest peak is 8,726 ft (2,660 m) at Horse Ranch Mountain. Located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions, the park has a unique geography and a variety of life zones that allow for unusual plant and animal diversity. The park's four life zones are desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest. Zion National Park includes mountains, canyons, buttes, mesas, monoliths, rivers, slot canyons, and natural arches. The road into Zion Canyon is 6 miles (9.7 km) long, ending at the Temple of Sinawava, which is named for the coyote god of the Paiute Indians. The canyon becomes more narrow near the Temple and a hiking trail continues to the mouth of The Narrows, a gorge only 20 feet (6 m) wide and up to 2,000 feet (610 m) tall. The Zion Canyon road is served by a free shuttle bus from early April to late October and by private vehicles the other months of the year. Other roads in Zion are open to private vehicles year-round. The east side of the park is served by Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (SR-9), which passes through the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel and ends at Mount Carmel. On the east side of the park, notable park features include Checkerboard Mesa and the East Temple. The Kolob Terrace area, northwest of Zion Canyon, features a slot canyon called The Subway, and a panoramic view of the entire area from Lava Point. The Kolob Canyons section, further to the northwest near Cedar City, features one of the world's longest natural arches, Kolob Arch. Other notable geographic features of the park include the Virgin River Narrows, Emerald Pools, Angels Landing, The Great White Throne, and Court of the Patriarchs. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive provides access to Zion Canyon. Traffic congestion in the narrow canyon was recognized as a major problem in the 1990s and a public transportation system using propane-powered shuttle buses was instituted in the year 2000. As part of its shuttle fleet, Zion has two electric trams each holding up to 36 passengers. Usually from early April through late October, the scenic drive in Zion Canyon is closed to private vehicles and visitors ride the shuttle buses. The Zion–Mount Carmel Highway can be travelled year-round. The 5-mile (8.0 km) long Kolob Canyons Road was built to provide access to the Kolob Canyons section of the park. This road often closes in the winter. Guided horseback riding trips, nature walks, and evening programs are available from late March to early November. The Junior Ranger Program for ages 6 to 12 is active from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the Zion Nature Center. Rangers at the visitor centers in Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons can help visitors plan their stay. The Grotto in Zion Canyon, the visitor center, and the viewpoint at the end of Kolob Canyons Road have the only designated picnic sites. Seven trails with round-trip times of half an hour to 4 hours are found in Zion Canyon. Two popular trails, Taylor Creek (4 hours round trip) and Kolob Arch (8 hours round trip), are in the Kolob Canyons section of the park, near Cedar City. Hiking up into The Narrows from the Temple of Sinawava is popular in summer; however, hiking beyond Big Springs requires a permit. The entire Narrows from Chamberlain's Ranch is a 16-mile one way trip that typically takes 12 hours of strenuous hiking. A shorter alternative is to enter the Narrows via Orderville Canyon. Both Orderville and the full Narrows require a back country permit. Entrance to the Parunuweap Canyon section of the park downstream of Labyrinth Falls is prohibited. Other often-used backcountry trails include the West Rim and LaVerkin Creek. The more primitive sections of Zion include the Kolob Terrace and the Kolob Canyons. A network of trails totaling 50 miles in distance connect Zion's northwest corner of the park (Lee Pass Trailhead) to its southeast section (East Rim Trailhead). Popularly known as the Zion Traverse, the route offers backpackers a diverse experience of the park. Zion is a center for rock climbing, with short walls like Touchstone, Moonlight Buttress, Spaceshot, and Prodigal Son being very popular. Lodging in the park is available at Zion Lodge, located halfway through Zion Canyon. Three campgrounds are available: South and Watchman at the far southern side of the park, and a primitive site at Lava Point in the middle of the park off Kolob Terrace Road. Overnight camping in the backcountry requires permits. Driving through the east side of Zion to U.S. Route 89 allows access to Bryce Canyon National Park in the north or to the north rim of the Grand Canyon in the south. Due to the narrowness of the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel, RVs and buses must obtain a special pass and can only drive through the tunnel during daytime hours. Large vehicles such as RV's have to go through the tunnel with no other vehicles coming from the opposite direction due to the narrowness of the tunnel. Summer days are hot (95 to 110°F; 35 to 43°C), but overnight lows are usually comfortable (65 to 70°F; 18 to 21°C). Afternoon thunderstorms are common from mid-July through mid-September. 8️⃣Utah's Hogle Zoo is a 42-acre (17 ha) zoo located in Salt Lake City, Utah. It houses animals from diverse ecosystems. It is located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. Hogle (pronounced "ho-gul") is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The zoo has been at its present location at the mouth of Emigration Canyonsince 1931 on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. James A. Hogle. Its original location was in Salt Lake City's Liberty Park. The zoo is owned by the city of Salt Lake City, and is supported through tax dollars and private donations raised by the Utah Zoological Society. Current exhibits include various birds, mammals, and reptiles from around the world. ✨Primate Forest: The A. LaMar Farnsworth Primate Forest opened to the public in June 1997. The exhibit was named after the former zoo director A. LaMar Farnsworth, who served as director for 33 out of his 45 years at the Zoo. Primate Forest offers lush, naturalistic landscapes for several species of primates. Primate Forest featured three outdoor exhibits and two indoor exhibits. Primate Forest is home to four species of primates. The exhibit houses two colobus monkeys, Sefu and Safiya. It is also home to two howler monkeys, Elliot and Jackie, two spider monkeys, Lemon and Ebony, and a female Schmidt's guenon. ✨Great Ape Building: Hogle Zoo's Great Ape Building was built in the mid-1960s. The exhibit features four indoor exhibits and two large outdoor exhibits. The zoo is home to three western lowland gorillas and three Bornean orangutans. ✨Small Animal Building: The Small Animal Building was built in the 1970s. The building itself features four different ecosystems, including a Tropics Zone, Temperate Zone, Desert Zone, and Rainforest Aviary. Other animal exhibits can be found outside of the Small Animal Building. 🍃Temperate Zone features animals from temperate zones around the world; nine-banded armadillos, rare three black-footed cats, Cape hyrax, Madagascar tree boa, crested geckos, Madagascar flat-tailed tortoises and Siamese crocodiles Hillary and Bill live in the Temperate Zone during the winter. 🍃Desert Zone: Guests can see animals found in deserts from all around the world; African crested porcupines, two female Von der Decken's hornbills, two sand cats, two bat-eared foxes, a group of meerkats, a colony of short-tailed leaf-nosed bats, a red-tailed boa, Gila monsters, and common spider tortoises are some of the reptiles in the Desert Zone. 🍃Tropics Zone features animals from rainforests around the world; titi monkeys, a golden lion tamarin, a cotton-top tamarin, a kinkajou, two Wied's marmosets, and a colony of African straw-colored fruit bats. The hall also features many reptiles including Indian star tortoises, green tree pythons, and a cottonmouth. 🍃Rainforest Atrium is a free-flight aviary. Speckled mousebirds, scarlet ibises, roseate spoonbills, superb starlings, and rose-ringed parakeets are just a few of the birds that can be found in the atrium. The Rainforest Atrium is also the winter home for the zoo's Aldabra tortoises and radiated tortoises. ✨Elephant Encounter opened in 2005, and was the first major exhibit that was a part of the zoo's master plan. The exhibit features white rhinoceroses and African elephants. The elephants enjoy a 110,000-gallon pool in their exhibit. Visitors can view the rhinos from several vantage points, including an artificial kopje. A nearby thatched-roof building, the Convergys African Lodge, displays interpretive items such as elephant bones and a rhinoceros hide to educate visitors about pachyderm conservation. ✨Asian Highlands: In June 2006, this exhibit opened with the theme of an Himalayan Village. It is home to Amur tiger, Amur leopards, Pallas' cats, Siberian lynx, and snow leopards. ✨The Janet Q. Lawson Red Panda Exhibit: In May 2018, the zoo opened a new Red Panda habitat in the Asian Highlands exhibit. The habitat is air conditioned to keep the animals cool in the hot Utah summers and has artificial trees. ✨Rocky Shores features animals found near the shorelines of North America. The exhibit opened in 2012. The exhibit has two polar bear and three grizzly bears. Another habitat features seals, sea lions, three harbor seals, North American river otters and two rescued bald eagles that were found injured in Alaska. ✨African Savanna: The exhibit was opened in the summer of 2014. It is 4.5 acres and houses animals from the plains of Africa. The largest exhibit, “The Grasslands”, is a rolling grassland, dotted with trees, and includes a watering hole. The mixed-species exhibit houses a breeding herd of Giraffes, a breeding herd of Hartmann's Mountain Zebra, a brother pair of Ostriches, two Egyptian Geese and a flock of Guinea Fowl. Guests can get a great view of the savanna from “Twiga Terrace”. The exhibit also offers a place for guests to feed and interact with the giraffes. The Savanna also has an exhibit called “Lion‘s Hill”. The exhibit allows guests to come face to face with Lions. A training fence where guests can watch as keepers feed and train the lions is also featured. The exhibit houses 7 lions. Also, there is the “Zoofari Express”, the train takes guest around the savanna, viewing all species. It also leads into a pioneer themed exhibit. 9️⃣Dixie National Forest, with headquarters in Cedar City, Utah, occupies almost two million acres and stretches for about 170 miles across southern Utah. It straddles the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River. Elevations vary from 2,800 feet near St. George, Utah to 11,322 feet at Blue Bell Knoll on Boulder Mountain. The southern rim of the Great Basin, near the Colorado River, provides spectacular scenery. Colorado River canyons are made up of many-colored cliffs and steep-walled gorges. The Forest is divided into four geographic areas. High altitude forests in gently rolling hills characterize the Markagunt, Pansaugunt, and Aquarius Plateaus. Boulder Mountain, one of the largest high-elevation plateaus in the United States, is dotted with hundreds of small lakes 10,000 to 11,000 feet above sea level. The Forest has many climatic extremes. Precipitation ranges from 10 inches in the lower elevations to more than 40 inches per year near Brian Head Peak. At the higher elevations, most of the annual precipitation falls as snow. Thunderstorms are common during July and August and produce heavy rains. In some areas, August is the wettest month of the year. Temperature extremes can be impressive, with summer temperatures exceeding 100°F near St. George and winter lows exceeding -30°F on the plateau tops. The vegetation of the Forest grades from sparse, desert-type plants at the lower elevations to stands of low-growing pinyon pine and juniper dominating the mid-elevations. At the higher elevations, aspen and conifers such as pine, spruce, and fir predominate. Slave Trail: Between about 1835 and 1850, trappers, traders, gold hunters, and adventurers traveled this road regularly. In 1844, John C. Fremont found this to be a "well-defined trail" over which travel was possible with little difficulty, except for marauding Piute Indians. Dixie National Forest Heritage Program, Southern Utah is rich in historical lore. The archaeological record - pictographs, petrogylphs, dwellings, and artifacts - attests to the presence of prehistoric and historic peoples. It is the objective of the heritage program at the Dixie National Forest to help interpret and preserve these irreplacable clues to our shared heritage. Recreation Opportunities: Three National Parks and two National Monuments are adjacent to the Forest. The scenic beauty for which these areas were set aside prevails over much of the Forest. Red sandstone formations of Red Canyon rival those of Bryce Canyon National Park. Hell's Backbone Bridge and the view into Death Hollow are breathtaking. From the top of Powell Point, it is possible to see for miles into three different states. Boulder Mountain and the many different lakes provide opportunities for hiking, fishing, and viewing outstanding scenery. Recreational opportunities on the Forest are highly diversified. Visitors may enjoy camping, hunting, viewing scenery, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing in very primitive settings. Others, who prefer more developed areas may enjoy vehicle-based activities such as camping, picnicking, resort lodging, recreation residence, sledding, skiing, hunting, gathering forest products, viewing interpretive exhibits, hiking, viewing scenery, driving for pleasure, snowmobiling, biking, horseback riding, canoeing, sailing, swimming, water skiing, and fishing.Wilderness: The Forest has 83,000 acres of wilderness in three areas: Pine Valley, Box-Death Hollow, and Ashdown Gorge. Pine Valley and Ashdown Gorge offer opportunities for solitude, horseback riding, and hiking. Box-Death Hollow offers opportunities for solitude and hiking, but the terrain is much too rough for horses. Nature Study: The Dixie National Forest supports a wide variety of wildlife species that provide many hours of viewing and enjoyment for Forest visitors, in addition to playing important roles in the Forest ecosystem. The variety of terrain on the Forest which varies from gentle plateaus to rocky cliffs furnishes habitat for many different wildlife species such as the cougar, bobcat, blue grouse, golden eagle, cottontail rabbit, wild turkey, antelope, and the Utah prairie dog. Hunting: Big game hunting has traditionally been the major wildlife attraction on the Forest, although recently there has been an increased interest in viewing and photographing all types of wildlife. Mule deer are harvested on every District, and elk are expanding their range on the Forest. Fishing: Good fishing is found in the many lakes, reservoirs, and streams located on the Forest. Gamefish include brook, rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. These lakes and streams also provide important habitat for many species of wildlife other than gamefish, and the Forest visitor can often observe many interesting birds and mammals next to a lake, stream, or pond. Camping: Developed facilities are available for those who prefer to have drinking water and restrooms. There are 26 campgrounds and 5 picnic sites on the Forest. In addition, the Forest has several group camping areas and group picnic areas available for those who are traveling together, and would like to camp or picnic as a group. The group sites can be reserved by calling ahead. Some of the campgrounds are located near lakes and reservoirs (Panguitch Lake, Navajo Lake, Enterprise Reservoir). These areas have boating and fishing opportunities available. Winter Sports: Opportunities for winter sports, such as cross skiing and snowmobiling are available in many of the areas. There are also over a thousand miles of timber roads that can be used for these sports. There is also downhill skiing at Brian Head Resort, which is located within the Cedar City Ranger District, Dixie National Forest. 🔟Dinosaur National Monument is a United States National Monument located on the southeast flank of the Uinta Mountains on the border between Colorado and Utah at the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers. It was declared a National Monument on October 4, 1915. Today, the mountains, desert and untamed rivers flowing in deep canyons, support an array of life. Petroglyphs hint at earlier cultures. Later, homesteaders and outlaws found refuge here. Whether your passion is science, adventure, history or scenery, Dinosaur offers much to explore. Dinosaur remains are still visible and embedded in the rocks. The park contains over 800 paleontological sites and has fossils of dinosaurs including Allosaurus, Deinonychus, Abydosaurus and various long-neck, long-tail sauropods. The rock layer enclosing the fossils is a sandstone and conglomerate bed of alluvial or river bed origin known as the Morrison Formation from the Jurassic Period some 150 million years old. The dinosaurs and other ancient animals were carried by the river system which eventually entombed their remains in Utah. The pile of sediments were later buried and lithified into solid rock. The layers of rock were later uplifted and tilted to their present angle by the mountain building forces that formed the Uintas during the Laramide orogeny. The relentless forces of erosion exposed the layers at the surface to be found by paleontologists. The Quarry: The "Wall of Bones" located within the Dinosaur Quarry building in the park consists of a steeply tilted (67° from horizontal) rock layer which contains hundreds of dinosaur fossils. The enclosed rock has been chipped away to reveal the fossil bones intact for public viewing. Visitors can see over 1,500 dinosaur fossils exposed on the cliff face inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall. Dinosaur's climate is semiarid with temperatures averaging between 0°F (-17°C) to 30°F (-1°C) in January and 50°F (10°C) to 100°F (38°C) in July. Elevations within the park vary between 4700 and 9000 feet. Winter snow makes roads at higher elevations impassable while only light to moderate snow is found at lower elevations. Summer thunderstorms often cause heavy downpours and localized flooding, but may fail to dampen parched soils less than a mile away. Both districts of the Monument are accessed via U.S. Highway 40. Fees are charged from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. All permits are valid for seven days. Harpers Corner Road is closed from mid-December to approximately Easter due to snow at the higher elevations. All dirt roads in the park are clay based and impassable when wet, even with four-wheel drive vehicles. These roads are Echo Park Road, Yampa Bench Road, Island Park Road and the road into Gates of Lodore. These roads are not maintained in the winter and can be impassable due to snow. The use of chains on wet clay roads renders the roads all but impassable for those who follow. Waiting for several hours will allow the roads to dry, leaving them in drivable condition for all visitors. Hiking: Each district has numerous trails of varying length and difficulty. 🍃Dinosaur Quarry District. 6 trails ranging from 1/2 mi (0.8 km) to 3 mi (4.8 km). 🍃Canyon Area District. 4 trails ranging from 1/4 mi (0.4 km) to 8 mi (13 km), one of which is handicapped-accessible. River rafting: The Green and Yampa Rivers pass through the monument, offering Class III and Class IV rapids. Unless you are an experienced river rafter, do no attempt without a professional guide. 1️⃣1️⃣Natural Bridges National Monument is a United States National Monument in the Canyon Country of southeastern Utah, showcasing three natural stone bridges within its boundaries. Natural Bridges became the first International Dark Sky Park in 2007. While arches stand on the skyline, natural bridges form in the bottoms of deep canyons. This difference is due to how each is formed: seeping moisture and frost shape arches, but running water carves natural bridges. As the curving meanders of streams carved down into the sandstone at Natural Bridges they undercut the canyon walls and bent back upon themselves until only a thin fin of stone separated them. Flash floods periodically pounded against weak spots formed by the soft siltstone layers in the sandstone. Eventually, the water cut through the narrow neck of the meander, forming a natural bridge. At first each bridge is thick and massive, as is Kachina Bridge, but as erosion attacks them on all sides, the bridges become more delicate (as with Owachomo Bridge) and eventually collapse. The entrance to Natural Bridges is at the end of Highway 275, which is roughly 35 miles west of Blanding, Utah on Highway 95. Nearly all visitors drive to Natural Bridges, although bicycling is a popular alternative. No bus or commercial transportation is available to Natural Bridges. The $6 vehicle fee includes all occupants for seven days. A traveler planning to visit Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Hovenweep National Monument can purchase the one-year Local Passport for $25. A nine-mile loop road provides access to overlooks for each bridge. Connect yourself to the land by hiking the trails to the base of each natural bridge, or take the Loop Trail to view all three bridges. The monument showcases three natural bridges, Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo. Each bridge is visible from overlooks not far from parking areas. These three bridges were first named "President," "Senator" and "Congressman" by Cass Hite, and were renamed "Augusta," "Caroline" and "Edwin" by later explorer groups. As the park was expanded to protect nearby Puebloan structures, the General Land Office assigned the Hopi names "Sipapu," "Kachina" and "Owachomo" in 1909. 🍃Sipapu Bridge: Sipapu means "the place of emergence," an entryway by which the Hopi believe their ancestors came into this world. It is the second largest natural bridge in the world. 🍃Kachina Bridge: This bridge is named for rock art on the bridge that resembles symbols commonly used on kachina dolls. 🍃Owachomo Bridge: Owachomo means "rock mound," a feature atop the bridge's east abutment. 🍃Horsecollar Ruin: Natural Bridges also protects Horsecollar Ruin, an ancestral Puebloan cliff dwelling visible from an overlook. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April through May) and fall (mid-September through October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 °F and lows average 30 to 50 °F. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 °F, making strenuous exercise difficult. Late summer monsoon season brings violent storm cells which often cause flash floods. 1️⃣2️⃣Arches National Park: ✨Arches Visitor Center is located just one mile inside the entrance. The visitor center is open every day except December 25. Hours vary by season. Rangers are on duty to help you make the most of your visit. They have information on drive times, hiking trails, ranger programs, and more. They can make suggestions about the best way to spend your time. Rangers can also help you have a safe visit. There are few sources of drinking water in the park. You can fill up water bottles there at the visitor center. Water and restrooms are available 24 hours a day. Take a look at the exhibits inside and outside the visitor center to learn more about the park's history, geology, plants, and animals, as well as the places you can visit. ✨Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers: After passing the visitor center and climbing steeply along switchback roads, the first major area of the park you'll see is Park Avenue and the Courthouse Towers area. You can walk among massive monoliths and towering walls and see views of the nearby La Sal Mountains. ✨Park Avenue Viewpoint and Trailhead: The sheer walls of this canyon reminded early visitors of buildings lining a big city street. The viewpoint is paved and accessible for people using wheelchairs. Beyond the viewpoint, the trail descends steeply into the canyon and continues one mile (1.6 km) to Courthouse Towers. ✨La Sal Mountains Viewpoint: Enjoy a 360-degree view from a relatively flat sandstone bench. See the La Sal Mountains to the east and distinctive formations like Three Gossips, Sheep Rock, and The Organ in the Courthouse Towers area. Look to the horizon for a view of Balanced Rock and The Windows Section. ✨Balanced Rock, one of the most iconic features in the park, stands a staggering 128 feet (39m) tall. While this formation may appear to be an epic balancing act, it’s actually not balanced at all. The slick rock boulder of Entrada Sandstone sits attached to its eroding pedestal of Dewey Bridge mudstone. The exposure of these two rock strata layers are ideal for the formation of arches and balanced rocks. Balanced Rock defies gravity but this won’t always be the case. Eventually, the 3,600 ton (over 4 million kg) boulder will come tumbling down as the erosional process continues to shape the landscape. In the winter of 1975-76, Balanced Rock’s smaller sibling “Chip-Off-the-Old-Block” collapsed. Unlike many of the other named features in the park, Balanced Rock can be seen from the park road. It is located 9.2 miles (14.8km) from the Arches Visitor Center. Although parking is limited, many visitors stop to complete the short hike (0.3mi / 0.5km roundtrip) around the rock’s base for unusual and up-close perspectives. A picnic area is located across from Balanced Rock to the west along a gravel road. The picnic area contains multiple picnic tables, covered canopy, vault toilet, and views of Salt Valley and Balanced Rock. Feeding wildlife can be harmful and is prohibited in the park. ✨Protect your park. Protect yourself. Do Not walk or climb on Balanced Rock or any arches. ✨Biological soil crust is a living groundcover that forms the foundation of high desert plant life in Arches and the surrounding area. This knobby, black crust is dominated by cyanobacteria, but also includes lichens, mosses, green algae, microfungi and bacteria. Soil crust binds sand and rock particles together which allows plants to establish their roots. They also provide desert plants moisture and nutrients in otherwise inhospitable environment. You can help preserve these fragile and unique life-forms by staying on established trails. ✨Cairns are the rock piles that you see along many of the trails in the park. They are carefully placed by rangers to mark the route. Building your own cairn may be tempting but consider how that may impact other hikers. "Cairn clutter" can be confusing to others on the trail. It can also damage park resources and impair the natural beauty of the park. ✨The Windows Section is considered by some to be the heart of Arches National Park. The area contains a large concentration of arches and is one of the most scenic locations in the park. North Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch are just a few of the awe-inspiring expanses you’ll find in just over two square miles. Other named features in this area include Garden of Eden, Elephant Butte, and Parade of Elephants. Double Arch is an easy, relatively flat walk to two massive, soaring arches that are joined at one end. Double Arch is the tallest and second-longest arch in the park. You can view the arch from the parking lot or take a short walk to its base. The Windows Section contains a large concentration of arches and is one of the most scenic locations in the park. Take an easy trail to view North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch. ✨A Stone Icon: People come from all over the world to visit Arches National Park, and visiting Delicate Arch is on the top of many visitors' to-do lists. In a park with over 2,000 stone arches, this particular free-standing arch has become a widely recognized symbol of the state of Utah and one of the most famous geologic features in the world. The light opening beneath the arch is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park. It has had more than a few names in its history, from the colorful ("Cowboy's Chaps", "Old Maid's Bloomers") to the prosaic ("Salt Wash Arch"). It's difficult to see Delicate Arch from the main park road; At Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint, you can walk a level 100 yards (91 m) to see the arch from one mile away. Nearby, the Upper Viewpoint (0.5 mi / 0.8 km walk with stairs) offers a slightly less obstructed view. The trail to see Delicate Arch up close and personal is 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip and climbs 480 feet (146m). Along this steadily uphill trail, you'll also pass the Wolfe Ranch cabin and a wall of Ute Indian petroglyphs. Carefully consider weather conditions (summer heat) and your own health and fitness before beginning this hike. Rangers frequently rescue people who underestimated the trail's difficulty. On very busy days the parking lot for the trailhead at Wolfe Ranch will fill. There is additional parking at the Delicate Arch Viewpoint parking lot. If you walk from the viewpoint, you will have to hike 1 mile (1.6 km) along the road to the trailhead. The total roundtrip hike distance increases to 5 miles (8 km). The trail can be very busy through much of the year. Sunset is a particularly busy time; sometimes hundreds of people will be at Delicate Arch for sunset. ✨Adventure waits for sightseers, hikers, and thrill-seekers in Devils Garden, one of the premier locations in the park. Here you’ll find arches, spires, and a large concentration of narrow rock walls called “fins.” Fins form when rainwater erodes parallel fractures caused by the uplift of salt deposits below the surface. Fins eventually erode and give way to the formation of arches like Landscape Arch, the crown jewel of Devils Garden. Devils Garden offers breathtaking views, camping, backpacking, stargazing, and hiking of all skill levels. Devils Garden is located at the very end of the park road, 18 miles north of Arches Visitor Center. The drive time from the visitor center is approximately 45 minutes. Parking lots can be very busy during peak season and during holiday weekends. Devils Garden Campground is available by reservation from March through October and first-come, first-served in the winter months. A day-use picnic area is located just south, within walking distance of the campground entrance. ✨Landscape Arch is the longest arch in North America with a light opening of 306 feet (93.3 meters). This awe-inspiring expanse is only 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter at its narrowest. Large segments of the arch came crashing down in the 1990s, proof that the park’s landscape can change dramatically in a instant. Although other arches have fallen, Landscape Arch still hangs on by a very thin thread. 🍃Landscape Arch: This easy segment of the Devils Garden trail (1.9 mi/3.1 km roundtrip) is relatively flat with hard packed surfaces to walk on. There is no significant elevation gain, only moderate hills, up and down. The trail meanders through tall fins to a spectacular view of Landscape Arch. Optional: Two easy spur trails to Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch are located between the trailhead and Landscape Arch. The hike becomes difficult beyond Landscape Arch toward Double O Arch. 🍃Double O Arch: This trail to Double O Arch is difficult as it steeply climbs up and on the sandstone fins. Footing is rocky; there are narrow ledges with steep drop-offs. Hikers must use their hands and feet to scramble and climb. Though strenuous, the out-and-back hike to Double O Arch (4.2 mi/6.8 km roundtrip) is popular and offers incredible views. Optional: Two short spur trails to Navajo Arch and Partition Arch are located one third of the way between Landscape Arch and Double O Arch. Optional: The short spur trail to Dark Angel (0.42 mi/0.67 km roundtrip) starts on the north side of Double O Arch. This out-and-back spur leads to the tall, dark spire seen off in the distance from Double O. 🍃Primitive Trail: This alternative route (2.1 mi/3.5 km one-way) to or from Double O Arch is the most difficult segment of the Devils Garden trail system. The obstacles in this segment include difficult route finding, steep slopes, narrow drop-offs, and rock scrambling. Hiking the Primitive Trail requires crossing a pool that may contain water. Optional: A short spur trail to Private Arch (0.26 mi/0.41 km roundtrip) is located 0.45 miles (0.72 km) from the Double O/Primitive Trail junction. The Primitive Trail is not recommended when rock is wet or icy, or for those uncomfortable with heights. 1️⃣3️⃣Bridal Veil Falls is a 607-foot-tall (185 m) double cataract waterfall in the south end of Provo Canyon, close to US189 in Utah. Just a short drive from the mouth of Provo Canyon on Hwy 189 is Bridal Veil Falls Park with parking. Bridal Veil Park sits next to the Provo River and a short walk down the paved Provo River Parkway Trail from the parking lot is Bridal Veil Falls. 1️⃣4️⃣Calf Creek Falls is a perennial waterfall in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah that totals 214 feet (65 m). The lower tier is a 126-foot (38 m) cascade and can be reached by an easy hike on a 5½ mile roundtrip trail. The upper tier is a 88-foot (27 m) plunge and requires a 1-mile (1.6 km) scramble past the lower falls. 1️⃣5️⃣Battle Creek Falls is a 50 foot waterfall. Getting to Battle Creek Falls is relatively easy. Take Battle Creek Trail No. 50. The trail is flat until you approach the falls, where it becomes steeper. 1️⃣6️⃣Rocky Mouth Falls is a family-friendly hike to a 70-foot waterfall on the southeast side of the Salt Lake Valley. The trail is short at just under a half mile one-way. Though short in distance this hike does have some steep rocky sections as it climbs nearly 300 feet in elevation over just under a half mile. The Rocky Mouth Trailhead is located at 11200 South Wasatch Blvd in Sandy, UT. From the Rocky Mouth Trailhead, begin hiking up the stairs at the northeast end of the parking area. The stairs climb to Eagle View Drive. Once to the street, turn right and continue up Eagle View Drive on the sidewalk. The trail leaves the street about 250 yards up the road. There is no trailhead parking allowed along Eagle View Drive. After leaving Eagle View Drive, continue hiking up the steep trail. This short section is the steepest, most rugged part of the hike. Continue on the trail as it enters a lush, forested area before arriving at Rocky Mouth Falls. There is plenty of room to view the falls from dry ground about 100 feet away, or you may walk on rocks through the stream to get a closer look if conditions permit. 1️⃣7️⃣Waterfall Canyon Falls is a 300+ foot waterfall cascade.The total hiking distance is short but the hike is strenuous because you must cross steep, rocky terrain. The hike is out and back, you return the way you came in. The trail begins at the Mt Ogden Trailhead at the top of 29th Street, on the east side of Ogden. Several signed trails begin here. Follow the trail signed as Malan Falls. The first part of the hike is easy, as it climbs uphill to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. From there follow the Shoreline Trail south to the mouth of Waterfall Canyon. Spur trails run in every direction but it is easy to follow the main trail. After crossing the wooden bridge at the mouth of Waterfall Canyon, follow the obvious trail along the south side of the small stream. After a short distance the trail crosses to the north side, again via a wooden bridge. From there just continue following the trail along the north side until you see the waterfall. 1️⃣8️⃣Hidden Falls (Distance 0.25 miles roundtrip) is located up Big Cottonwood Canyon and is a very short hike to the falls. There's a fenced off old mine along the way. 1️⃣9️⃣Stewart Falls is one of the most scenic and photogenic waterfalls in northern Utah. It falls in two tiers and is over 200 feet tall. It is a moderate hike through a beautiful forest on the east side of Mt Timpanogos. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. The descent from the ridge down to the base of the falls is quite steep (youngsters should be held in check at that point) but this is a great family hike. Summer is a good time to make the trek, and fall is even better because colored leaves are magnificent. Optimal Season: Early Spring to Mid Fall. Open year round. Some snowshoe to the falls during winter. The recommended trail starts at Aspen Grove, along the Alpine Loop Road. Several trails start here so pay attention to the signs. The Stewart Fall trail is easy to find. It is wide and well maintained. Parking at Aspen Grove requires an entry fee of $6 for a three-day pass, which is paid at a tollbooth on the Alpine Scenic Loop. 2️⃣0️⃣Grotto Falls: (approximately 15ft.) Located about 7 miles up Payson Canyon is the Grotto Trail, commonly known as Grotto Falls. The trail is short, wide, with little elevation gain making it a great trail for all ages. The hike begins from the parking area just off the Mount Nebo Loop Road. It follows a small stream and curves its way through the forest. In a few locations you cross the stream on large timbers put in place by the forest service. This adds excitement to the trail, especially for the kids. Once you reach the end of the trail you are greeted with the waterfall cascading into a small pool of water, surrounded by steep rock walls. 2️⃣1️⃣Waterfall at Emerald Pools In Zion National Park. The trailhead to these falls is located across the highway from Zion Lodge. Two trails begin there. All trails are clearly marked and easy to follow. The Upper Trail is steep and sandy. 2️⃣2️⃣Temple of Sinawava falls is in Zion National Park and is the 8th and last stop on the Zion Canyon Shuttle. It's on the Riverside Walk hike. 2️⃣3️⃣Archangel Falls are a series of cascading crimson steps fed by the North Creek coming from the iconic Subway, which is just a few hundred yards away. The falls are a fossilized bed of Kayenta shale and are surrounded by red Navajo sandstone towering over 500 feet on either side. The Archangel Falls are located toward the end of a grueling 4 mile hike (Left Fork North Creek - Subway) through the Kolob Terrace in Zion National Park. 2️⃣4️⃣Cascade Falls, Dixie National Forest, Cascade Falls Trail #32055. Named for the water fall that flows out of the side of the cliff, this trail is a local favorite. The trail provides spectacular views of Zion National Park and beyond. The water that flows over the falls is supplied by Navajo Lake through an underground lava tube or sink hole. The water flows a couple miles underground through the tube before exiting at the Virgin River Rim. (Please note, the lava tube is closed to travel due to the low levels of oxygen and high water flows.) Directions from Cedar City -Take Highway 14 East for 25.5 miles, turn right towards Navajo Lake on FS Road #30053, take your first left onto Forest Service road #30370. Follow this road until you reach the junction with FS road #30054. Follow the signs to Cascade Falls and turn right onto FS road #30054. This road will dead end at the Cascade Fall trailhead. 2️⃣5️⃣Upper Provo Falls, Mirror Lake Highway. Upper Falls Park is a small respite located along the old highway between Bridal Veil Falls and Vivian Park at a bend in the river. It is Forest Service land but maintained by Utah County. With the mountains of Provo Canyon towering above it and the Provo River running beside it, this well hidden park offers a cozy spot for a simple picnic, a place to relax, or easy river fishing. 2️⃣6️⃣Faux Falls in Moab is a man made waterfall. There is a controversy on going weather it is a real waterfall or not. The water is diverted from Mill Creek through a diversion tunnel under Brimley Ridge. The water then flows over Faux Falls to where it is stored in Ken's Lake. The water storage project was first conceived soon after settlers entered the Moab area, but the project was not completed until 1981.

I don't know about these Autonomous Vehicles! I know their the wave of the future but I think I'll keep my wheels on the ground for now. Everyone should take care of their hearing. Complete sentences, what are those!?LOL Oops, I mean laugh out loud. I'll stick with my chocolate chip or oreo's for a cookie day. Smiling! I did not know Necrotizing Fasciitis was the proper name for this disease but I'm aware of it now. I never dream there was so much scenery to see in Utah. I so want to see it.

Well I did it, I sacrifice 21 pics and only 1 of them was a waterfall. It was a little one so it didn't hurt to bad.😂 Anyway, here is a few waterfalls I couldn't find any info on but they are worth taking a look at, so if you have some time you might want to take a look, their really nice waterfalls: Ely Creek Falls, Double Falls, Toquerville Falls and Kolob Arch Waterfalls.

Warm hugs!💕🐶🐶🌦