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9/11 Memorial Display
Panguitch City will host a memorial quilt display in conjunction with its annual Quilt Walk Festival. The memorial quilt honors the innocent victims who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Blocks making up the quilt incorporate personal memories and characteristics of the victims they represent. The quilt will be displayed at the Triple "C" Arena in Panguitch from June 10-13. It will then continue touring the country and will eventually go on permanent display in New York City.
Hot Air Balloons
Chariots in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival will be June 24-27, also in Panguitch. Up to 35 balloons will take to the sky over this scenic area of southern Utah.
On Saturday evening the balloons will be set up in the middle of historic Main Street, allowing spectators to see them up close and talk to pilots. There will also be music and other activities.
Come get a taste of small town hospitality at these big time events. For more info: 435-676-8585
Bryce Canyon Half Marathon and 5K Run
These are extraordinary runs through scenic southwestern Utah. The half-marathon starts at Ruby's Inn and descends through Bryce Canyon National Park, through the town of Tropic, and ends in the town of Cannonville. It offers $1,000 cash prizes to overall winning female and male runners. The 5K begins in Cannonville.
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Whitewater Rapids, Rapids, Rapids
Our guide is shouting instructions, trying to make herself heard over the river's roar. "Secure your gear and hang on — this is where the fun begins!"
We stash cameras in dry bags while she points the big raft at the boiling water. Suddenly the river grabs the raft and twists it sideways, shoving it toward boulders. Kathy rows with all her might, fighting the current. She gets the raft lined up just before the river rockets us 10 feet into the air and then drops us into the heart of the tempest.
Our knuckles turn white as we hold on, as we hold our breath. Seconds later we shoot out the bottom of the rapid. I marvel at the power of the river and feel relief that we're all still aboard — that we haven't lost people or gear.
One down and 25 to go!
We're rafting Cataract Canyon, on the Colorado River below Moab, where there are 26 substantial rapids in just 18 miles. Cataract is one of the most intense, difficult and rewarding stretches of whitewater in the world. It normally takes 3-7 days to do the trip, the majority of the time spent on relaxing flatwater that snakes through deep, scenic gorges in Canyonlands National Park. The rapids are located on the lower section, just before the river dumps into Lake Powell.
River guides now offer an option for us excitement junkies. They will take you over the flatwater in jet boats, putting you on rafts just above the rapids. You shoot the 26 rapids in one day and then take a small plane back to Moab. A week's worth of adventure, 120 miles of river, packed into a single day!
After a day like that I'm looking for a meal at a nice restaurant, a soak in a hot tub, and then a firm mattress.
The next day, maybe I'll climb into a Hummer and challenge some of the most difficult 4X4 routes in the world. Or perhaps mountain bike the Slickrock or other intense trails, or hike the Devil's Garden in Arches National Park.
World-class adventure — just another day at Moab.
May and June are ideal months for these activities, and for camping, auto touring, hiking, biking and sight seeing in our other national parks and play areas.
Watch our slide show depicting the Cataract trip.
Give us a call and let us book your next adventure: 1-888-881-1120.
— Dave Webb
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