Nothing to do in Utah

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people complain about there being nothing to do in [location]. I mean, Sam comes from a middle of nowhere podunk town. And by middle of nowhere, I mean smack dab in the nothing-grows-here desert with the nearest malls and movie theaters an hour's drive away. Population: 9,931 (with a longstanding debate about whether or not that includes the inmates in the county prison located within city limits). That was practically the size of my HIGH SCHOOL. Still, we always have fun when we go there. The first time I met Sam's family we dressed in junk clothes and threw mud at each other in the Little Colorado River (which, incidentally, is more like a drizzling stream running through gobs of mud). Later I learned about Indian ruins, Painted Deserts, meteor craters, and Petrified Forests (sounds very Harry Potter-esque, huh?!). You can drive on Route 66, go cliff diving at the creek, or do some star gazing (which is AMAZING when you are that far from civilization. In fact, Pluto was actually discovered at an observatory nearby). And the Grand Canyon is less than two hours away. I mean, even in the boondocks there is stuff to do.

Utah Valley

The 'nothing to do' complaint really strikes a chord when people say it about Utah. You think I'd be more understanding since I once subscribed to that belief, but I'm not. ;) To prove my point that there are things to do in Utah (and fun things at that!) I am sharing a list I made of things to do near Provo for my little brother when he started BYU. Many of you won't care a whit about this, but for those who are curious, here is it:

On BYU Campus

Go to any sports event (Beyond the normal sports, swimming and diving are always fun to go to, as are lacrosse and track & field.)
Attend the Comedy Shows
Watch a movie at the Varsity Theater
Go to the Planetarium show in the Eyring Science Center (Friday nights at 6:30 - it cost $2 a person)
Visit any of the campus museums (Bean Life Science, Peoples & Cultures, MOA, and the Earth Science Museum)
• Go to the Arts and Music Performances (Personally, Sam and I think the best shows to go are the plays, Homecoming Spectacular, Christmas Around the World, Celebration of Christmas, Young Ambassadors, International Folk Dance Ensemble, Living Legends (our very favorite), and Ballroom in Concert.)

Outdoors

• Go on a hike (BYU has a great list of trails)
• Picnic up Rock Canyon or at Rock Canyon Park
• Ice Blocking in Rock Canyon Park
• Frisbee Golf (there are frisbee golf courses at Bicentennial Park and at Rock Canyon Park)
• Ultimate Frisbee (the best field for it is the one east of the Conference Center, just north of the old DT buildings)
• Rent a tandem (double-seated) bicycle from Outdoors Unlimited and go on a ride around the Provo Temple.
• Rent rollerblades from Outdoors Unlimited and ride around Campus (especially up by the bell tower)
• Hike the Y (here is a map to get there. Make sure to bring flash lights if you go for the sunset - another fun time to go is early in the morning, so that you are on the Y when the sun rises over the valley)
• Hike to the Timpanogos Caves.
• Sand Volleyball at Vivian Park
• Bike ride down Provo Canyon (Park one car at Maceys, drive the other with the people and the bikes just above Vivian and ride the bike trail down to end at Maceys. Then you can drive back up to get the car. Unless you are brave and want to ride back up. If you don't have a bike you can rent one from Outdoors Unlimited.)
• Float the Provo River (Once again, you'll need two cars. One to drive the people and the tires to the top, another to drive back up from the bottom to get the first car. You may lose sunglasses, so beware. Start here - the map is approximate. Look for a dirt parking area on your right with a large brown sign that says Provo River. You can either end at Vivian Park, or else you can hop out at Vivian and walk over the bridge (it is too low to float under), and then get back in and end here. That map won't let me get off the highway, so you'll turn left where it ends. You are looking for a small dam on the Provo River and a parking lot just north of the dam. Make sure you park the first car here!)
• Swim and tire swing in the Provo River (You want to swim where the Provo River dam is - at the bottom of the canyon, not Deer Creek dam. Once again, the map won't let me get off the highway, so you'll turn left where the map ends. You are looking for a small dam on the Provo River and a parking lot just north of the dam. This is the same place you end when you float the Provo. There is a tree about 50 feet east of the dam with a huge rope swing that you can jump off into the river. It is awesome!)
• Drive the Alpine Loop (this is best when the leaves are changing colors - so beautiful!)
• Have a picnic dinner at sunset up Squaw Peak (from where the map ends turn right and you will hit a parking lot with a beautiful view of the valley)
• Hike to the Diamond Fork Hot Springs up Spanish Fork Canyon (Enter Spanish Fork Canyon, turn left toward Diamond Camp Ground (there'll be a sign). You'll drive for a really long time, but eventually you'll get to the Three Forks parking lot. The hike is about 2.5 miles and is relatively easy. Be sure to wear your swimsuit.)

Winter

• Sledding in Rock Canyon Park
• Snowman contest (compete to see who can build the best one - bring scarfs, carrots, etc. to decorate them)
• Go snow shoeing on any of the hiking trails (rent from Outdoors Unlimited)
• Ice Skate at Seven Peaks