2.19.2010

What is included and not included in the $99 Snow Canyon Trip

Trip includes...

An outdoor, adventurous, 4 day, 3 night weekend getaway with other healthy-minded, active, outdoor enthusiasts!

Campsites at Snow Canyon State Park include quality, modern bathrooms (including showers). This is a beautiful, well maintained State Park.

Delicious, healthy meals are provided including three dinners, two of which are Sheryl's Dutch Oven Signature Dinners - Lasagna and Chicken Enchiladas.

Other benefits include companionship, opportunities to make many friends with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts, carpool assistance, and experienced hiking and outdoor adventure guides.

We have plenty of drivers so if you want to carpool with someone, let me know.

Camping and hiking arrangements are provided.

Practicing Emergency Preparedness skills and trying out new products are all part of the training.

Perfect your skills and knowledge in Dutch Oven cooking, camping, hiking, emergency preparedness, survival skills, preparing and cooking healthy meal choices outdoors, etc.

We have much experience in the beautiful Snow Canyon area of southern Utah and have studied, researched, scouted out, hiked, planned, and organized ahead of time so when you arrive, you can enjoy it to the fullest without any "down time".

Expect 4 hours driving time, one way, from SLC.

Don't want to camp? Book a motel in Ivins or St. George. (Motel expenses are extra. They are not included in $99 price. Cost of trip doesn't change if you camp or stay in a motel.)



Not included in this trip:

Gas expenses to and from our destination. We encourage people to carpool to keep expenses down. We will assist you with these arrangements.

If you carpool, expect to pay for your portion of the gas expense. (generally around $30 RT depending on our destination). Pay gas expenses directly to your driver.

State Park entrance fees - check w/ me first since these fees may be waived.

Rentals, souvenirs, spending money, extra food, etc.

Basic Itinerary for our Mini Utah Weekend Getaways

You can come down later OR leave early, whatever you prefer.

Thursday

8:00 am: Meet up with others. Carpool at this time, for those who are carpooling. Meet at the Overnight Park n Ride near 7200 So. I-15. Plan to arrive at our destination around noon.

Once we leave SLC, we only stop for fuel and quick bathroom breaks.

Arrive at our destination around noon. Explore, set up camp, eat, relax, free time, etc.

12 noon – 6 pm: Explore some easier hikes if you like. It's not mandatory to hike at all. For those who want something other than hiking, there is plenty to do.

*Bring a sack lunch & snacks to eat until Dinnertime.

6 – 7 pm – Dinner

7 – 10 pm – Campfire. Evening hike or exploring may be offered. Discuss tomorrow's activities.


Friday

6 – 7:30 am – Early morning photography opportunities

7:30 – 8:30 am: Breakfast

Prepare a Sack Lunch

8:30 am – 4:30 pm – Hiking and exploring or choose your preferred activity.

4:30 – 6 pm – Relax and/or prepare dinner

6 – 7 pm – Dinner

7 – 10 pm – Campfire. Evening hike or exploring may be offered. Discuss tomorrow's activities.



Saturday

6 – 7:30 am – Early morning photography opportunities

7:30 – 8:30 am: Breakfast

Prepare a Sack Lunch

8:30 am – 4:30 pm – Hikes offered or enjoy other activities

4:30 – 6 pm – Prepare dinner

6 – 7 pm – Dinner

7 – 10 pm – Campfire. Evening hike or exploring may be offered. Discuss tomorrow's activities.



Sunday

6 – 7:30 am – Early morning photography opportunities

7:30 – 8:30 am: Breakfast

Prepare a Sack Lunch

8:30 – 9:30 am – Break down camp

11 am - Check out

FREE DAY! Some in the group may head home early while others may want to hike and explore before leaving. It's up to you and those who are in your car.

What to bring on this trip...

Camping gear:
Tent
Tarp
NOTE: Only those we have predetermined need to bring a tent and tarp.
Sleeping bag
Pad – Prefer a Thermal Pad (2" - 4") essential for warmth/comfort.
Pillow
TIP: Store these items in STUFF SACKS.

MESS KIT (Plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork, spoon – NON-breakable) Plan to clean your own dishes.

FRUIT to share with group: Fruits that are in season i.e. bananas, pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes, strawberries, oranges, apples, etc.

SACK LUNCH for the first day – Bring food to last until dinnertime at 6 pm.

Lip protection
Pocket Knife
Foot/heel cream – living in Utah makes heels dry & rough
Flip Flops/Sandals (NOT for hiking)

Hiking shoes or good lightweight athletic shoes
Hiking socks (i.e. Smartwool Brand, etc.)
Long pants

Clothing TIP: Avoid cotton fabrics including denim for hiking. Clothing that is easy to layer will work well for all types of weather. Wear fabrics that are comfortable, stretch, wick and breathe well.

Shirts - long and short sleeve
Sleepwear – bring something for your head for cooler nights.

TIP: Do NOT sleep in the same clothes you hike in.
Underwear

Sweatshirt or warm jacket
Windbreaker that is rain resistant
Sunscreen
Bug Repellent
Hat with a wider brim and neck protector
Water bottles – 2 ½ liters worth (fresh water is available at our site)

TIP: Think like an ONION. Bring and wear clothing that you can layer. Wear thinner, lightweight, polyester fabrics. Be prepared for all kinds of weather.
Backpack/Fanny pack
Personal toiletries – (hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toilet paper, tissue, etc.)

Body/Hand Lotion
Wet wipes
Sunglasses
Head lamp/flashlight
Spending money
Gas money for your driver (Approx. $30 RT)

Wood for campfire – Everyone plan to help provide wood as needed, when we get there. Wood bundles are available for approx. $4
Matches
Camera
Swim Suit/Towel - you may or may not use a swim suit on this trip
Camping Chair

OPTIONAL:
Walkie Talkie/2 Way Radio
Ear Plugs
GPS
Trekking poles/walking stick - highly recommended
Acoustic guitar/harmonica

Cell phone for emergency phone calls
Journal/notepad/pen/pencil
Frisbee, simple small games
First Aid Kit – ibuprofen, band-aids, etc.
Map

Healthy Meals that are provided

Breakfast

Freshly Ground Whole Wheat Pancakes with real Maple Syrup and/or Whole Grain Hot Cereal Breakfast Bar

Hot Cereal: Cracked Wheat or Six Grain Rolled Mix
Add any of the following toppings:
Craisins
Raisins
Shredded Coconut
Chocolate Chips
Walnuts
Peanuts
Pecans
Cinnamon
Maple Syrup
White Sugar
Brown Sugar
Honey
Strawberries
Apple Slices
Banana
Dried Fruit
Fresh Fruit
Milk
Lunch

Sandwich makings:
Bread
Peanut Butter
Honey
Jam
Fresh Fruit
Trail Mix of Dried Fruit and Nuts
Granola Bars
Dinner

Chuck Wagon Dinner

Grilled Salmon w/ Dill
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
White Chicken Chili (also Vegetarian)
Dark Green Leafy Tossed Salad w/ Dressing
Cobbler or S'mores

Mexican Dutch Oven Dinner
Enchiladas - Chicken and Vegetarian
Fresh Tossed Green Salad w/ Dressing
Chips w/ Salsa
Peach or Apple Cobbler

Italian Dutch Oven Dinner
Lasagna w/ Meat or Spinach Lasagna (Vegetarian)
Dark Green Leafy Tossed Salad w/ Dressing
Garlic Bread
Apple or Peach Cobbler

NOTE:
Provide your own drinks

Don't like the menu? No worries, just bring your own food.

Activities available at Snow Canyon State Park

Activities to Enjoy
Hiking
Star Gazing
Tracking and Stalking Animals
Exploring Plant life
Nature Photography
Bike Riding
Shopping in nearby towns
Nature Walks
Campfires
Socializing
Site seeing
Scenic Drives
Meet new people
Relax
Read
Meditate
Emergency Preparedness Training
Sleep
Horse shoes
Play games
Eating
Dutch Oven Cooking
Campfire Cooking

8.25.2009

$99 Utah Weekend Adventure Vacation, The BEST vacation deal in SLC! Basic itinerary

If you are new, plan to attend the "Trip Orientation Meeting".

A week before EACH Utah Weekend Adventure Vacation we encourage you to come to the Trip Orientation meeting. During this one hour meeting, we'll finalize details i.e. confirm who is driving and who is carpooling, make sure everyone knows who they are traveling with, confirm who brings a tent and who doesn't need to, who is staying in a motel rather than camping with us, get better acquainted with everyone, learn what each person hopes to accomplish on the trip. If you can't attend, we'll email the detailed info to you after the meeting. Meeting location is in Holladay, at or near my home (approx. 5000 So. 3000 E. 84117)

Thursday

8:30 am: Meet and greet everyone. Load everyone into their assigned cars for carpooling. When traveling to southern or central Utah, we meet at the Overnight Park n Ride near 7200 So. I-15. (Sometimes we meet a little earlier than 8:30 am if we are driving further. I like to get to our destination around noon.)

NOTE: It's OK if you can't leave Thursday morning. Let me know when you can leave and we'll find out if any others are leaving later also. Cost of the trip is the same regardless of when you arrive.

Once we leave SLC, we only stop for fuel and quick bathroom breaks.

Arrive at our destination before noon. Explore, set up camp, eat, relax, free time, etc.

12 noon – 4 pm: Explore some easier hikes with us if you like. It's not mandatory to hike on any of our trips. For those who want something different, there is plenty to do.

*Bring a sack lunch & snacks to eat until Dinner at 6 pm.

4 – 6 pm – Learn Dutch Oven Cooking skills by helping Sheryl with the Dutch Oven Dinner preparations (Chicken and Veggie Enchiladas)OR enjoy free time.

6 – 7 pm – Dinner

7 – 10 pm – Campfire. Evening hike or exploring may be offered. Discuss tomorrow's activities.


Friday

6 – 7:30 am – Early morning photography opportunities

7:30 – 8:30 am: Breakfast - Freshly Ground Whole Wheat Pancakes w/ real Maple Syrup or Whole Grain Hot Cereals w/ assorted toppings including fresh fruit.

Prepare Sack Lunches

8:30 am – 4:30 pm – Hiking and exploring or choose your preferred activity.

4 – 6 pm – Learn Dutch Oven Cooking skills by helping Sheryl with the Dutch Oven Dinner preparations (Lasagna - Meat and Vegetarian)OR enjoy free time.

6 – 7 pm – Dinner

7 – 10 pm – Campfire. Evening hike or exploring may be offered. Discuss tomorrow's activities.



Saturday

6 – 7:30 am – Early morning photography opportunities

7:30 – 8:30 am: Breakfast - Freshly Ground Whole Wheat Pancakes w/ real Maple Syrup or Whole Grain Hot Cereals w/ assorted toppings including fresh fruit.

Prepare Sack Lunches

8:30 am – 4:30 pm – Hikes offered or enjoy other activities

4 – 6 pm – Help with Dinner preparations: Grilled Salmon w/ Mashed Potatoes and White Chili (Vegetarian or Chicken) or free time.

6 – 7 pm – Dinner

7 – 10 pm – Campfire. Evening hike or exploring may be offered. Discuss tomorrow's activities.



Sunday

6 – 7:30 am – Early morning photography opportunities

7:30 – 8:30 am: Breakfast - Freshly Ground Whole Wheat Pancakes w/ real Maple Syrup or Whole Grain Hot Cereals w/ assorted toppings including fresh fruit.

Prepare Sack Lunches

8:30 – 9:30 am – Break down camp

11 am - Check out

FREE DAY! No hiking guide services offered by Sheryl on Sunday. Some in the group may head home early while others may want to hike and explore before leaving. It's up to you and those who are in your car.







Tips for Safe Camping

SALT LAKE CITY -- Forest officials want to make sure campers know how to stay safe.
Tips they offer for safe camping include:
* Don't leave food or leftovers out overnight.
* Pick up fruit peels, as they tend to attract ants, mice and even hungry deer.
* Never keep coolers, lotion or perfume in your tent, and always pick up garbage.
* Remember that when putting out your campfire, "if it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave."



Safety rules for hiking:


* Drinking a gallon of water per day is advised.
* Stay on marked trails.
* Hike with others in our group.
* If someone is injured, stay with them until they are safely back to camp.
* Bring extra water or a water filter, in case someone else needs it.
* Pay attention to weather conditions and adjust your plans accordingly.
* With warmer temperatures, hikes are scheduled in early mornings and/or early evenings to avoid heat exhaustion.
* Bring and carry a small first aid kit.
* Be prepared and keep your eyes open for others who may need help.
* Know your own physical strengths and weaknesses and adjust accordingly.
* Only do what YOU feel comfortable in doing. Don’t let yourself be talked into doing something don’t feel good about.
* Speak up if you have any problems, concerns or if you are injured – even a little bit. Let us know. There are many advantages of hiking with a group. We can help each other and save EVERYONE a lot of time and money.
 If you have a problem or concern, let me know. We will try to resolve it quickly - whatever it is.