Family Activities in Utah County (pics)

March 8th, 2010

If you’re looking for fun things to do with your family in Utah County this spring and summer, here are a few pictures that may give you some ideas.

Bridal Veil Falls is a great place to go hiking, biking, or a simple park and walk.

We also went to a fun family activity on Provo Center Street last summer where they had lots of fun activities for kids, including the pictures below ScalesandTailsUtah.com. They came with reptiles from all over the world.

Since Utah County is “Happy Valley”, there are definitely a lot of fun things to do with family.

What are some of your favorite things to do as a family in Utah County?

Bridal Veil Falls

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Provo Utah McDonalds Gets an A

March 5th, 2010

Price:
Kid Friendly:
Food Quality:
Cleanliness:
Promptness:
Location:

1225 S University Ave
Provo, Utah 84601

Yesterday, on my way to work, I decided to stop by the Provo Utah McDonalds across the street from the Provo Towne Center Mall.

There were multiple things I was impressed with:

  1. Can You Say FAST? In comparison to other fast food restaurants in Provo, Utah, the McDonalds was AMAZING. I don’t think it took more than 3 minutes to go through the entire drive through and I wasn’t even the only car there.
  2. Friendly Employees: Both the ladies I spoke with, the first at the money window, and the 2nd when I got my food, were very friendly. They said things like, “Have a great day!” “Thanks for coming – see you again.” I know, I know, these aren’t really new things but both these ladies seemed to be really sincere instead of mono-tone robots.
  3. Fresh Fast Food: yes, my Egg McMuffin and hashbrowns were both hot and crispy. I know McDonalds is one big system but not all McDonalds are cut out of the same cloth.

One other side note that I didn’t experience on this occasion but have in the past is their cleanliness. The employees seem to take pride in keeping everything spot free.

McDonalds in Provo, Utah definitely get’s a big

Gordon Monson Dumb Question of the Year!

March 4th, 2010

No, I’m NOT a fan of the Utah Utes unless they are playing a non-Mountain West team.

But this question by Gordon Monson had to be one of the dumbest, most pathetic inquiries I’ve ever heard in sports media.

Bless Jim Boylen’s heart for calling him out on the stupidest sports question in Utah history!

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

How would YOU answer that idiotic question?

How to Make Utah County Friends Online

January 20th, 2010

Are you online quite often?  Do you have a lot to talk about or share but no one to listen?

(No, this is not a free psycho analysis)

Twitter is a great tool to help you find friends in Utah County!  Here’s how:

  1. Sign up for a Twitter Account. (Learn How to Set Up a Twitter Account)
  2. Start Searching: once you’ve set up an account, go to the side navigation of your Twitter page and look for the Search section:
  3. Start Your Search: type in phrases like Utah County, Provo Utah, Orem Utah, Spanish Fork Utah, etc. – this will pull up all the “tweets” that have been talking about those specific topics.  Most likely, if these people are talking about Utah County, they have some interest in the area and would be a great person to follow and chat with.

BYU Basketball is #13 in the Polls!

January 18th, 2010

The BYU Cougars climbed in the national polls. The 18-1 Cougars are now ranked No. 13 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ poll and No. 14 in the AP Top 25 poll; a jump from No. 17/18.

How’d they Do It?

This past week the Cougars defeated Air Force (67-49) in Colorado Springs, Colo. and Colorado State (91-47) at home. We had the opportunity to go to the Colorado State game with over 20,000 other avid Cougar fans! What a blow out!

Texas is No. 1 for a second week in The AP poll; North Carolina hangs on at No. 24. Can you believe BYU is ahead of North Carolina and Wisconsin? I can’t wait to tell my in-laws all about this!

The Longhorns (17-0) moved into the top spot for the first time in school history last week. They stayed there Monday, receiving 57 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel.

North Carolina dropped from 12th to 24th after losing lost two games last week and three of four. The Tar Heels are below 13th for the first time since February 2006.

Joining the rankings are No. 20 Northern Iowa, No. 21 Ohio State and No. 23 Mississippi State.

This week, BYU hosts Wyoming on Wednesday and then go on the road to face San Diego State Saturday.

Here’s the latest from ESPN rankings:

Utah Tourism Shrunk by $700M

January 7th, 2010

By Brock Vergakis

The Associated Press

A state report says Utah’s tourism industry shrunk by about $700 million in the past year, to $6.2 billion.

The 2010 Economic Report to the Governor was released Thursday, highlighting the struggles the state faced in the past year amid a global recession.

The report says the number of visitors to the state dropped by nearly 1 million from the previous year, to 19.4 million.

The decline snapped years of growth in the tourism industry, which is one of the state’s largest sectors.

Although tourism spending declined, 2009 was still the third-best year on record.

The report forecasts there will be a modest increase in travel to Utah this year as the economy slowly recovers.

This article was sponsored by the best dropship company in Utah.

BYU Basketball Holds Off UNLV at Home

January 7th, 2010

PROVO, Utah — Jonathan Tavernari scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half and No. 25 BYU pulled away with a late rally then held off UNLV 77-73 on Wednesday night in the Mountain West Conference opener for both teams.

The Cougars (15-1) won their eighth straight with an 11-2 run over the final 5 minutes to regain the lead and then hung on at the free throw line.BYU ended a three-game losing streak against UNLV (12-3).Cougars’ leading scorer Jimmer Fredette, who has been out sick, finished with seven points — 14.6 below his average…

BYU made 19 of 24 from the free throw line while holding the Rebels to just 12 foul shots.After shooting 27 percent in the first half with just two 3-pointers, the Cougars regained their touch in the second, going 14 of 27 and making 6 of 11 from beyond the arc.UNLV had an early run to take the lead in the second half, then after BYU rallied to get back in it, the Rebels used their quickness and outside shooting to go up again 69-64 with about 5 minutes left, but that’s when BYU took over with an 11-2 run.

Emery started it with two free throws, Michael Loyd Jr. leaped over everybody for a layup and then Tavernari hit a 3-poitner to put BYU up 71-69 with about 2:45 left.Willis tied it with two free throws, the Loyd sped through the lane for another layup to put the Cougars back ahead.

Willis saved the Rebels from a turnover on the next possession by running down a loose ball, but couldn’t get to it after losing control with about a minute left as he and the ball went out of bounds.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

VIDEO courtesy of KSL

Read full story…

Who Thought BYU Wouldn’t Win?

December 23rd, 2009

Max Hall became a regular at the Las Vegas Bowl, and his final performance was his best.

The senior quarterback threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns in the only bowl game he knows, leading BYU (No. 14 BCS, No. 15 AP) past Oregon State (No. 18 BCS, No. 16 AP) 44-20 on Tuesday night.

Hall gave the Cougars their third win in five straight bowl appearances in Sin City and ended the Beavers’ run of five consecutive bowl wins.

Fast Facts

• For the first time, the Las Vegas Bowl featured two ranked teams.

• BYU’s 43 wins over the last four seasons move the Cougars into a tie with Ohio State for fourth-most in the country over that span.

• BYU quarterback Max Hall (19-for-30, 192 yards, three TDs) has 10 touchdown passes over his last three games.

• Oregon State’s loss snaps a five-game bowl winning streak and also marks coach Mike Riley’s first career bowl loss as a head coach (5-1).

• Beavers running back Jacquizz Rodgers (19 rushes, 70 yards, TD) scored at least one rushing touchdown for the 12th time in 13 games.

• The 44 points are the most allowed in Oregon State bowl game history.

– ESPN Stats & Information

“I love my years at BYU,” Hall said. “We wanted to end it well.”

Read more on ESPN.

Recommended Family Activity in Utah – Hogle Zoo

December 21st, 2009

Utah’s Hogle Zoo has been a Utah treasure since 1931. Located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon just outside of downtown Salt Lake City, 42-acre Hogle Zoo is situated among natural hillside terrain in a beautiful mountain setting, which enhances the visitor experience as guests discover the wonders of the natural world.  With nearly 900 animals to visit, the splendor of the animal kingdom is very much a sight to behold.  What a perfect family activity in Utah!

Hogle Zoo’s Mission

With its mission of education, conservation and recreation, Hogle Zoo welcomes nearly one million guests per year, including over 70,000 school children, free of charge, on organized field trips. Additionally, Hogle Zoo is the most popular paid tourist attraction in Salt Lake County, and is the second most-visited paid attraction in the state of Utah, after the national park system.

What to do at Hogle Zoo?

There’s always something exciting to do at Utah’s Hogle Zoo!

  • View Animals: Open every day of the year except for New Year’s and Christmas days, Hogle Zoo is place where visitors can view animals throughout different seasons so there’s always something new.

    baby elephant utahA number of baby animals were born at Hogle Zoo in 2009, including a female African elephant, Zuri. This little elephant has proven to be a draw for crowds of smiling fans ooh-ing and aww-ing over her energetic antics, and Zuri and her mom Christie are a commanding testament to the hard work and dedication of Hogle Zoo’s animal staff.

  • Ongoing Education: In addition to the continued education that visitors receive by viewing the animals at Hogle Zoo, there are a number of classes, workshops, lectures and special events on grounds each month for families to attend.

    From learning experiences and camps to December’s ZooLights! holiday light event, Hogle Zoo is a year-round attraction for people of any age.

  • Volunteer Work: Hogle Zoo also accepts volunteer applications twice a year for supporters 14-years-old and up who would like to donate their time to a worthy cause.

Renewing Hogle Zoo

Hogle Zoo has been working on an aggressive capital campaign to Renew the Zoo and securing a Salt Lake County bond to help with these efforts. Completed Master Plan projects to date include the L.S. Skaggs Animal Health Center, the Oasis Plaza and Conservation Carousel, Asian Highlands, Elephant Encounter, the Wildlife Theatre and the Entry Plaza.

In November 2008 72% of Salt Lake County voters said “yes” to this bond which will help continue building of the Zoo’s Master Plan. This bond will allow the Zoo to break ground in 2010 on the next phase of the Master Plan,Rocky Shores, which will provide a home to bring polar bears back to Hogle Zoo.

Association of Zoos Accredidation

Hogle Zoo is unique in that it is one of 221 institutions in the United States accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). In 2009, Hogle Zoo once again received their accreditation and with this prestigious honor, Hogle Zoo is recognized as one of the top zoos in the world.

Follow Hogle Zoo Online

Web: Hogle Zoo Website and Baby Elephant in Utah Website (all about Zuri our new baby elephant)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HogleZoo
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Hogle_Zoo

Hogle Zoo Upcoming Events – Winter 2010

The 17th Annual World of the Wild Art Exhibition
January 30 through March 14

This exhibit was started to provide Utah artists an opportunity to display their works of wildlife and “wildnature” in a setting complementary to their work. This show has grown to be one of the best venues in Utah for viewing wildlife and nature art. This year’s show will be juried by Robin Rankin, the executive director of the Kimball Art Center in Park City, Utah.

Chinese New Year Celebration
January 23

2010 is Year of the Tiger in Chinese Zodiac, so we will honor this year in our Asian Highlands area featuring our Amur tigers. These Asian Highlands cats are from cold climates and are very active this time of year. There will be kids activities in Asian Highlands on this day highlighting these animals, as well as the cultures that prevail in Asia and the surrounding countries.

Mating Dances and Wild Romances
February 12

Ever wonder how the animals attract each other, date and mate? Learn everything you ever wanted to know about love in the animal kingdom in a fun date-night setting at Hogle Zoo. Evening includes activities, education presentation and hors d’oeuvres.

Valentine Breakfast
February 13

This is a great event for kids of all ages to learn about flirting in the animal world through fun games and activities. Throw in a scrumptious continental breakfast and valentine craft, and you’ve got chemistry for family fun!

Memberships are a great way to support Hogle Zoo year-round!
Hogle Zoo membership is a year-long pass to animal exploration, exciting members-only events, great discounts and much more! Not only do you receive many great benefits from becoming a member, you also support the future of wildlife through conservation and education programs at Hogle Zoo.

  • Free, unlimited admission during regular Zoo hours for one full year from the date of purchase, excludes ZooLights!
  • Member e-newsletter
  • Discounted admission to over 125 zoos across the country
  • Discount on carousel rides
  • Discounts on gift and food purchases
  • Discount on train rides
  • Discount on Zoo classes, ZooCamp and ZooSnooz overnights
  • Invitations to members-only events

Hogle Zoo memberships can be purchased online!

The Best Burger in Utah County

December 2nd, 2009

By: Mindika Thiebaud

In the last year or so Utah County has seen an influx of new trendy burger joints. I’ve been shocked by the hype and excitement. I personally would never stand in line for 24 hours or sleep out in the cold for a burger; no matter how delicious I thought it would be. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a food lover, but let’s be real folks!

burger-supremeFortunately for me, I think the best burger in Utah County doesn’t come from one of the new joints on the block. In fact its home has been a staple of the county for more than 20 years; a Utah icon, a family & friend tradition. Even better, I’ve never had to wait more than 5 or 10 minutes for it. Drive through, take out or sit down, Burger Supreme located on University Parkway in Provo, reins supreme!

Their burgers are thick and juicy. Made from fresh, never frozen beef, delivered daily. They’re charbroiled, which in my opinion is the only way to have a hamburger, then piled high with fresh toppings. Their fries are thick, but not too thick, crispy and like heaven dipped in their original recipe fry sauce. But it doesn’t end there. Variety is always key for my family.

We love options, and Burgers Supreme delivers. From the Guacamole Burger, Western Burger, Gyro Sandwich, Teriyaki Chicken, salads, shakes…you name it, the options are plenty. They have also started catering. This last summer we were lucky enough to have them cater our huge neighborhood 4th of July bash! Deliciousness delivered!

Now I’ve heard many loyal patrons of above mentioned trendy joints, argue tradition, nostalgia, etc…etc… for their love of a burger. I get that! I sympathize with nostalgia, but when it comes to taste bud satisfaction there’s just no contest. Burger Supreme takes the buds every time.

Mindika Nordfelt Thiebaud is a local food blogger. Her love affair with food and cooking began as a child when she got her first “easy bake” oven. She grew up as an Air Force Brat traveling the world with her family, experiencing food and cooking from all parts of the globe. She did however spend every summer of her life in Utah visiting family, and feels as though Utah has always been her home. She moved here 17 years ago to attend college and has never left.

Mindika is married to Arnold Thiebaud. They have 1 little girl, Reese, who is 1 year old and they are expecting their second child next summer.