Although we are still awaiting the data from the 4th quarter of 2013, let us take a few moments to check out the 2012 tourism statistics: 

In 2012 Utah recorded 6.6 million national park visits, 5.1 million national monument, recreation area and historical site visits, 5.1 million state park visits, as well as 4.0 million skier days during the 2012/2013 season.  In 2012, the top international markets included visitors from Canada, France, Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, and China.

If tourism were an export it would be the state’s second largest 
export behind primary metals ($12.2 billion) and well ahead of computers and electronics ($2.2 billion). 

Guest Blog by Corrine Miller

People travel to places for many reasons; for experience, to escape, for vacation, to refresh and rejuvenate or just because.  My thoughts go to a trip I took to southern Utah during Spring Break.  This trip was both fascinating and memorable as I participated in an “On Site Policy” course as a student of the University of Utah.  It was a trip that the whole class was looked forward to taking.  Not only would we be getting 3 credit hours for the class, but we would be going to one of the most beautiful areas in the country.  We would be meeting with management from the Zion National Park, the BLM, Springdale and Kanab City offices, Coral Pink Sand Dunes Assistant Park Manager and the Travel and Convention Bureau in St. George, along with several small business owners in the area to discuss their policies, visions and missions.  The attendance of the class was small this year due to the recent loss of our dear friend and Professor, Joe Arave.  He took part in this class each year, as he worked along with his friend and fellow Professor, Michael Kane.  This year, Michael would not be sharing the experience with Joe.  As a matter of fact, Joe’s funeral was the 2nd day of our trip.  

          On Tuesday morning, we started out early to keep up with the scheduled agenda, but took a hike before meeting with those we came to visit in the local park area.  It was a beautiful day, the sky was clear, the sun was shining bright, and we all felt refreshed from the good night sleep and the best breakfast we could have asked for.  We just happened to be staying at the Zion Ponderosa and was treated not only with the fantastic views of the Resort just outside of Kanab, but we received the luxury of artistic, gourmet meals provided by one of Southern Utah’s finest Executive Chefs, Francis van der Stappen.  We were prepared for the day.  Yet….we couldn’t help think about Joe and how we would miss his funeral today, and how he would have been here if he could.  

We started a short hike going up the side of one of the beautiful mountains in the area.  The rocky path wound tightly around the mountain as we climbed ever so carefully.  We heard a bird that seemed to be following us and made the sound as if it were laughing at us.  We continued on our climb until we reached the look-out point overlooking the canyon.  It was an awesome sight.  Beautiful reds and browns in the mountains, with deep canyons below.  As we took in the fresh air with the gentle cool breeze, we looked over the canyon.  Many pictures were taken and it was so peaceful.  Michael said, hey, how about we at the count of 3 we say hello to Joe.  What a perfect idea.  Joe’s funeral was this afternoon.  We will all miss this great man who shared his passion and love of life with all who knew him.  I know he heard us as we all at the count of 3 yelled out, “Hello Joe!”  It was awesome as our voices echoed through the canyon and he was with us, if only for a moment.  

A Guest Blog by Vong Martinez: It feels like everything that we participate in cost money these days. Even when you want to go hiking on land that has been around for millions, some say billions, of years before humans even started to walk will cost you money. Sure it may be $7 or less for a day, but it’s money. The greatest aspect about hiking in Utah is that there are plenty of hiking trails that will not cost you a single penny, except the gas to get there, but you could bike up to the trailhead if you were awesome enough to.

            I think of hiking in Utah like a multi scoop fudge Sunday, the great flavors (features) of hiking just pile on top of each other creating one glorious, scrumptious encounter with nature. There is one particular hike/trail that is engraved in my memory, and I recommend to everyone I speak with about hiking. The Lake Blanche Trail. This hike was strenuous for my novice hiking skills, but may be easy to the seasoned hiker, and it was worth every ounce of my energy I expended. 

            Once you arrive to Lake Blanche, you will experience nature in all its glory. The first “scoop” of deliciousness is that the parking and access to the trail are free. The second scoop is the views you are going to be encompassed by during your entire hike, nature offers us the most amazing views we could dream of, and the Lake Blanche Trail in Utah obtains some of them. The chocolate syrup, or whatever kind of syrup makes your mouth salivate with goody anticipation, is that moment you arrive at THE Lake Blanche. The lake’s water is clear and pristine, in a rugged mountain kind of way, the green, lush trees that look like they were perfectly positioned by a master yard artist accentuate the lakes serene feeling. The huge, beautiful sundial will stun you with its size and beauty. You hear the waterfalls in the background, which sound like the great soundtrack of your favorite movie.

            I know, this Lake Blanche sounds amazing already, so what could possibly be the cherry on top you ask? You can camp here! What can be better than hiking to such a beautiful location that invigorates your soul? The opportunity to stay over night and spend time participating in activities. You can fish, make yourself a healthy meal, go for a swim, it is north pole cold, but c’mon, live a little, and the best activity of all, relax. Take it all in because once you hike back down to your hustle and bustle of a lifestyle, you won’t get another opportunity to revisit Lake Blanche for awhile. That is just sad. So soak it up like a sponge and enjoy what nature has provided. FREE, magnificent, and pure happiness. 

For further information: http://climb-utah.com/WM/blanche.htm

Here are directions to the trailhead, enjoy:

            “From anywhere in the Salt lake Valley take I-215 East until you reach the 6200 South Exit (Exit 6). Signs are marked for the ski areas; you will be heading towards Brighton and Solitude Ski Resorts. Drive east on 6200 south and the road will become Wasatch Boulevard. Follow Wasatch Boulevard south to an intersection with Fort Union Boulevard (7200 South). The intersection is located 1.7 miles after exiting I-215.”

Guest Blog by Chris Wise, an undergraduate student studying Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Utah. 

 A fun and local destination to visit that is even located on the University of Utah’s campus is Red Butte Gardens. I recently went for an afternoon visit to the garden. Strolling around the plants and flowers beginning to bloom in the spring afternoon sun was wonderful. Almost all the plants were labeled with their proper name and spices of origin. Different plants were planted for different season during the year and around every curve of the trail there was something different blooming. The garden had miles of trails encompassing the area. There were paved trails nearest the main building but there were also more rustic dirt trails leading to the natural area of the garden. The natural area of the garden is planted with native species of the state.

The garden is also diverse from not just dealing with plants, as you enter into the building there is a large room with different art pieces on display. These pieces are for sale by a local artist and I was told that these artist and pieces regularly change. While walking in the garden, that are different sculptures that that garden has on display. These add a totally unique aspect to the beauty of the garden with the unique and beautiful art pieces.  The garden also even has some art classes for all ages that one can take.

While I was there, I also learned about the many different summer programs and events that take place there during the summer. They have a summer concert series that some pretty prominent musicians and bands preform at. Some examples of performers that have come to the garden are Sheryl Crow and Willy Nelson. They also host many different parties and events such as wedding, children’s birthday parties, and formal events such as private parties. The garden also puts on educational classes for people of all ages. There were gardening workshops, wreath building workshops, and even teachers and student workshops for local schools to attend for a field trip. There were many different educational events taking place there. They ranged from not only classes but also include horticulture lectures to hiking outings with an employee into the natural area.

Red butte Garden is a local treasure that offers something for everyone to come and enjoy. From hikers to art lovers to plant enthusiast, everyone can come to find something here to enjoy. With summer concerts, hiking trails, classes, and always different blooming plants, there is always something to do or see while visiting.

Guest Blog by Carrie Gruwell (University of Utah Graduate Student in Parks, Recreation and Tourism

For those of you who have never heard of a famous hike known as "The Narrows", this hike is 16 miles in length and took 12 hours to complete, going down a riverbed, http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-narrows.htm.
 It was a completely grueling, yet rewarding experience. I am going to share my experience and well as a few tips I learned by not being prepared. 
5:00 AM - We, (Brent, Rachelle and I) awake in St. George and do our final preparations.
5:30 AM- We leave St. George and drive to Zion's.
6:30 AM- We arrive in Springdale at Ashley's house.
7:00 AM- We leave Springdale and have a friend drive us to Chamberlain Ranch. TIP: 4WD vehicle required.
9:00 AM- We arrive at  Chamberlain Ranch and begin our journey. TIP: Wear socks with your water shoes, or better yet, rent shoes from one of the many outfitting companies located in Springdale. This is what Ashley did. I recommend Zion's Adventure Company at http://www.zionadventures.com/.
12:00 PM - Enter the beginning of "The Narrows" , at this point we are actually back inside Zion National Park. Our feet start numbing and the water is running at 55ccs. TIP: It is not nerdy to use a walking stick... I don't realize this for another 4 hours... :(

1:00 PM - I lose my balance in knee-deep water and get soaked up to my chest, I should have had a walking stick.
1:30 PM- We reach camp #2 and eat lunch while under the false assumption we are halfway through. It starts to thunder, which causes my best friend to panic a little. TIP: Just because you have this insane canyoneering friend who made it through the canyon in 7.5 hours, doesn't mean you are going to.
2:30 PM- We reach camp #12, after this point there is no more high ground and it starts to rain big heavy drops. TIP: Next time I do this hike, I will do it in 2 days because the rest of the hike is the best part but we are exhausted and getting impatient.  
3:00 PM- Brent is forced to get wet and swim in the river... he has made it 6 hours without getting his clothes wet. TIP:Now is also the time we realize it is best to pick one wall of the canyon and stay on it rather than try to cross the riverbed back and forth. This is also when Ashley, who had the amazing shoes and walking stick, leaves us behind.
4:00 PM- I suck up my pride and find a stick for assistance... it's about time! TIP: Not only are dry bags awesome to keep your food and warm clothes dry, they also provide buoyancy. You can sit back and let the river carry you to get a break from walking. Our bodies are numb so the freezing water isn't so bad. :)
6:00 PM- We encounter some hikers from the bottom and I ask "How much longer?", response being: "We've only been going about 2 hours". I tell them, "When, my friend behind me asks "How long?", tell her one hour, please?": We have been going down the water bed for three straight hours convincing  ourselves..."it's just around the corner"! TIP: It's not just around the corner, unless you mean about 60 corners...! At this point Brent takes Rachelle and escorts the rest of the way down the hike, while I go ahead a speculate their path. 
6:15 PM- We reach Orderville Canyon which means the end of the "scary-no-high ground and flash flood zone". Once again, I lie to Rachelle and tell her we are 1 hour away. This isn't true, we are still 2 hours and 15 minutes until we exit the water. TIP: White lies are sometimes necessary to keep people moving. 
6:45 PM- We encounter another couple hiking from the bottom and I once again ask them to tell Rachelle 1 hour. We feed her energy blocks and lied again that we were almost there.
7:30 PM- Brent asks me, "Is there anything we can do to speed her up?". Then Brent mentioned to me that that it was starting to get dark.  I didn't believe him and said "It won't be dark until 9!".  Then he so intellectually notified me that it was September, and it would be dark within the hour.
7:31 PM- Holy Sh--! "I thought it doesn't get dark until 9:00 pm!" TIP: It is September, and it starts to dusk around 7:45 PM. 
7:35 PM: I tell Rachelle... "We have to rush!..... NOW...it's getting dark!" . And we start to haul because we are full of adrenaline  We are ready for this adventure to end!!! TIP: Bring a headlamp. 
8:10 PM- I am ahead of Brent and Rachelle and encounter more hikers from the bottom. I ask them in a desperate way, "How much longer?" I am told "You got it girl... seriously 10 minutes!)!!! TIP- The only reason I actually believed her is being she was wearing jeans and no shoes! I knew it was really only going to be 10 more minutes.
8:30 PM - We arrive at the top of the Riverwalk and it's pitch dark, but we are out of the water!  Ashley, who left us hours earlier, has been waiting for an hour and a half. I change into my dry clothes and and take my painful shoes off!!!  There is only half a mile to the bus stop! TIP:Bring a change of clothes. I was so cold and tired and  thankful to take my swimsuit off and put on a dry alternative.
9:00 PM- The shuttle arrives and we are done.
Prologue: I fell asleep from exhaustion! TIP: I couldn't walk the next day or days to come, I should have taken the time to ice down my muscles and stretch my muscles before climbing to bed.