How To Talk Like You’re From St. George, Utah

When you to go St. George, Utah, you will likely meet some locals whose families have been in the region for a few generations.  Because the locals are quite friendly, it is easy to be tempted to sit down and chat with them. But sometimes, you will find yourself confused and unable to understand what they are saying. Because they have a different accent and they have a different use for certain words, you will not be able to have a good conversation until you learn how to talk like you’re from St. George, Utah.

Learning how to understand their accent and word usage or how to talk like you are from Utah will greatly help you get along well with the locals. Thus, it is ideal that you know a thing or two about the residents’ way of conversing.

First, Hurricane (small city just north of St. George) is not pronounced like it sound or how it should, it’s pronounced ‘Hur-kan’ even though it was named after a whirlwind much like a hurricane.

Second, Dixie in the West?  St. George is also known as ‘Dixie’ it was nicknamed that when early pioneers settled here and grew cotton in the warm climate.  Yes, I think they knew it wasn’t really in the south but it was in South Utah.

Southern Utah Accent and Word Usage

Because a lot of people from different nations and cultures have migrated to Southern Utah, the present locals in the area have developed their own way of speaking. Because of the European, Scandinavian and Swiss populace that had moved from their respective places into Utah, the people that whose families are from Southern Utah for developed a way of speaking from a mixture of the various usages of languages from these places.

Getting familiar with the history of Southern Utah’s way of speaking will greatly help you familiarize yourself with the dialect of the locals.

• Vocabulary

If you want to learn how to speak like you’re from Utah, you have to learn about their vocabulary. Some words that the locals use do not have the same meaning as the ones you use in your place. But you can still talk with the natives using your own vocabulary. They are able to understand plain English and would love to let you join in their conversation and let you know some of the words that they use in their daily conversations.

• Accent

Because Southern Utah natives have a different accent, you might find it hard to understand them at first. They can change the pronunciation of words because of their accent, which has a heavy Southern bent. Their dialect may be even harder to understand because of this. But if you are going to learn this, you will be able to talk like you’re one of the locals.

Some of the words that you would find confusing when you hear them are below:

• Morket (market) – the place where you buy goods.
• Form (farm) – place where you grow crops.
• Born (barn) – place where crops and animals are kept.
• Mar (more) – opposite of less.
• Star (store) – same as ‘morket’.

As you can see, natives have a way of pronouncing words that makes it hard for US residents or other foreign people to understand. They tend to pronounce the words that should sound with ‘ô’ as ‘ä’ and ‘ä’ as ‘ô’. So, you just have to think about the pronunciation of their words to be able to understand the things that the natives are saying and learn how to talk like you’re from St. George, Utah.

Take a Drive to the Red Hill Overlooking St. George, Utah

If you are to visit St. George, make sure to take a drive to the Red Hill overlooking St. George, Utah. Doing so will enable you to see the beauty of the city below, which makes your visit more exciting and memorable. Make sure that you bring your camera so that you can take pictures of the Old Water Tower, the narrows and other areas that you might be interested in.

Driving to the Red Hill

Here are some things that you might want to do and keep in mind when driving up to this beautiful spot.

• Watch the Sunset

It is best to drive to the Red Hill in the afternoon so that the sun is not that high anymore and the temperature is a bit cooler. Driving to the Red Hill during afternoons will also enable you to watch the sunset.

The majestic view of the sun setting and the splashing color around St. George will surely leave you in awe. Make sure that you take photos of this wonderful sunset so that you can have an instant art piece in your house when you get home.

• Go to the Old Water Tower

You might also want to take a look at the Old Water Tower that has been renovated with stairs. The water tower was built with only a ladder, which makes it hard for people to go up. But the recent renovation to the Old Water Tower will enable people to go up without any difficulties.

• Grab a Bite

You might want to have something to eat while driving through the Red Cliff so that you can fully enjoy your leisure drive. Make a picnic or grab a sandwich so that you will have something to munch on while you take on the views of St. George below. Having something to eat will enable you to take your time because you won’t have to hurry getting back to the city or to find the nearest restaurant to eat dinner or lunch.

• Stay in Your Car

If you are not fond of getting dirt on your shoes or your car, you can just stay inside your car as you drive through the Red Hill and look at the panoramic views of the city below. This way, you don’t have to go clean up after you have trudged in red dirt, which is not quite pleasant especially if you have a lot to do after your trip.

• Go on a Hike

If you are ready to get your shoes dirty, you can take a 1.5 mile one-way hike at the Red Hill rim in the afternoon. The Owen’s Loop trail is an easy to follow trail that you can hike if you have spare time.

Whether you just want to see the views of St. George or just want to witness the sunset, you should make sure that you take a drive to the Red Hill overlooking St. George. You will surely love the place and the views.

Things To Do| Drive to the Red Hill Overlooking St. George, Utah and visit painted rock Dixie

St. George Town Square

The already popular St. George Town Square got new attractions that will make families and tourists flock the area. An old fashion carousel was built on the town square, in addition to the fun splash pad that is also added to the popular tourist spot.

Kids will surely love the new additions to the town square, aside from the traditional attractions such as the kiddie rivers and waterfalls. Also, even the adults would love riding the carousel and taking pictures at the various water features that had been attracting tourists from all over the world.

Enjoy Your Visit at the Town Square

When you visit the town square of St. George, be sure that you will have a list of all the things that you would want to do there. Because there are many attractions that could grab your attention, be sure that you will be able to do the things that you have been planning to do before you have traveled to St. George. This way, you will truly have a great and memorable vacation.

• Ride and Take Pictures at the Carousel

The old fashioned carousel is a perfect background on family pictures. You will surely like the colorful background that you will have when you visit St. George Town Square. The ride is also great and would make you feel nostalgic.

Be sure to bring your kids to the town square park and let them ride the carousel. Take lots of pictures so that you will have a lot of mementos from your visit at this well-known park.

• Cool Your Feet

There is a lazy river in the town square where you can cool your feet while the kids are playing around the area. This will provide you with great relaxation in the middle of the day, while you are out and about with your kids who will surely make you feel exhausted by taking lots of pictures, guiding them through the park and telling stories and details about the attractions in the area.

• Taste the Food

There are also restaurants where you can dine around St. George Town Square. You might want to try the specialties of various restaurants in the area. You can go to the White Horse Pub and Restaurant if you want to treat yourself and your fellow grownups to a great night out. There is also a store called Judd’s that has been in the town square for quite a while now. Nowadays, they are also offering drinks, foods and candies that you can enjoy with your kids, family and friends.

• Go to the Art Festival

Every April, an art festival is being held at the town square. You might want to enjoy looking at the booths that showcase artworks of various artists. From sculptures to paintings to clothing, you will surely appreciate the works of the artists that worked hard to show great craftsmanship and creativity.

Be sure to set the date so that you won’t miss going to the town square during this time so that you will be able to appreciate great artwork and the lively environment.

Things To Do: Visit St. George, Utah Town Square and Carousel Ride

Diamond Valley Volcano Hike

Experiencing going on a hike on a real volcano is quite exhilarating. And if you want to experience this kind of feeling, you might want to try the Diamond Valley Volcano hike. The area is clear and there are no trees around; because of the lava rocks that are forming and scrambling downhill. But the view is spectacular and the hike is really stimulating.

Hiking Diamond Valley Volcano Tips and Information

Here are some things that you might want to do when you go on a hiking trip here in Diamond Valley Volcano (to get there, drive to parking Area just off Hwy.18 – North Entrance to Snow Canyon). You might also want to remember some of the things mentioned below so that you will have a great time.

• Be Ready for the Uphill Hike

The hike will, of course, be uphill so you have to get ready for that. Make sure that you do a proper workout before you go on hiking because you might get really uncomfortable if you do not condition yourself in this trip.

• Bring Your Camera

As stated above, the views are spectacular so you have to bring your camera to capture the views. You also would want to capture your moments at the place. Take videos and photos so that you will have a great memento of the place.

• Do Not Fall Down or Slide Down the Lava Rocks

The lava rocks are hard and abrasive so do not try falling down by sliding on the rocks. This will probably injure you, which will make your trip not so good. Try to appreciate the views and the lava rocks without trying to go surfing on them using your shoes.

Make sure that you wear proper footwear so that you will be able to step on the small lava rocks without feeling any pain.

• Bring Food and First Aid Kit

You might want to bring a first aid kit, which is a necessity in every hiking trip, so that you can take care of minor injuries, particularly the ones that hikers get from falling down and hitting the abrasive lava rocks.

• Go Hiking on the Valentine Peak

After you have enjoyed your hiking on the Diamond Valley Volcano, you can also continue your hike until you reach Valentine Peak. You can take the trail leading to the area from the crater of the volcano. Just go down a slick rock bowl and pass a sandy area so that you can go to it and follow the trail going to the peak.

Adding more adventure to your hike will make your trip amazing so take the time to go through the trails on top of the volcano that leads to various places.

Hiking to the mouth of the Diamond Valley Volcano is challenging, because of the uphill trail, but worth it. The views that you are going to see below the volcano are stunning, which will make your every effort worth it. Make sure that you bring all your essentials so that you can go and follow some of the trails form the top of the volcano. This way, you will have an extended and more exciting hiking adventure.

Diamond Valley Volcano Hike near St. George, Utah

Chuckwalla Trail Head Hike in St. George, Utah

If you are up for adventure, you might want to visit Chuckwalla Trail Head Hike in St. George, Utah. The place is an awesome spot to go hiking and rock climbing. You can also go mountain biking and horse riding when you visit the site and follow the trail that leads to wonderful spots with scenic views.

Chuckwalla Trail Head

Going to Chuckwalla Trail Head is not that hard. You just have to take the Bluff Street by turning left from I-5 Exit 6. Go straight ahead until you see the trail head after four miles of driving. The trail head will be on the left so better look at this side.

• Elephant Arch

When you follow this trail, be sure to look for the elephant arch. This natural sandstone arch resembles the eye and trunk of an elephant, which makes it fun to look at and take pictures of.

Be sure to bring your camera and take some pictures. You will surely love hanging the photos which will make your home have a work of art of nature.

• Reach the Top

The hike on Chuckwalla Trail Head is fairly easy, which will make it very possible for you to reach the top. You will get to the top of the trail head within just one and a half hours. The sandy trail will make it a little bit hard for you to hike but it is manageable.

And once you reach the top, take in the beautiful view of St. George below. You will surely be thankful that you have made this trip.

• Bring Your Dog Along

Bringing your dog is allowed in this trail head so it is a good time for you and your buddy to enjoy quality time together by hiking. Just make sure that you bring food and water so that your pet will stay hydrated all throughout your trip.

• Go Rock Climbing

You can enjoy rock climbing while going along the trail head. Because the trail head runs along huge rocks and canyons, you will surely find a great spot to practice your rock climbing skills and feel the thrilling sensation of excitement and adventure on your escapade.

• Hike During Winter

When you hike during winter at the Chuckwalla Trail Head, you will enjoy the added greenery from the green vegetation that scatter around the ground. The weather is also favorable during this time because the wind is cool yet the surrounding is really stunning.

• Appreciate Wildlife

You will likely see tortoises, hawks and cottontail rabbits while you are hiking. This will make you feel closer to nature, which will make you feel more relaxed and refreshed. But be sure to stay away from these protected animals so that other people and the future generations will be able to see these wonderful creatures. Stay on the tracks so that you won’t disturb the habitats of the paradise-like surroundings around the trail head of Chuckwalla.

Visit Springdale, Utah During Your Stay in St. George

If you’re looking for new adventures during your stay in St. George, take a scenic drive and visit Springdale, Utah. The place offers a lot of scenic views and shops that are fun to visit and see. Springdale restaurants, particularly Oscars, are great. There are also ice cream shops with delicious treats to enjoy. The best part may be the relaxing, scenic drive that offers stunning views of the river and the trees.

Drive Up to Springdale

• Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

You can easily drive through the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive because the area is really close to Springdale. This little town that hosts thousands of tourists is just outside Zion Park, which makes it possible to travelers to have easy access to the park and the drive.

You will be amazed by the scenic views while driving leisurely at the road that follows a river.

Driving directions for the roughly 1 hour drive to Springdale from St. George:  Take I-15 north, to exit 16 (Utah State Route 9, Hurricane/Zion National Park exit), staying on State Route 9, go approximately another 25 miles to Springdale, Utah.

• Zion – Mt. Carmel Highway

You will also be dazzled by the views that nature has created. Go to Checkerboard Mesa and Zion Canyon Overlook so that you can clearly see the works of nature and man. You will be amazed by the patterns and shapes that the waters have formed at the Checkerboard Mesa. You will also see the stunning views of Zion Canyon from above, which is truly spectacular.

Get astounded by the man-made roads. The roads were built in a treacherous area, which makes it hard to engineer and complete. Thus, you will not only be dazzled by the works of nature but also by the hard work, dedication and creativity of the engineers who made this road accessible and open to public all year round.

• Taste the Food

You can go to Oscars, a great restaurant in Springdale. You will surely love their steak, pizza and noodles. All the foods are exquisite, which will make you feel at home away from home. The ice cream shop in the area also offers lots of flavors of ice cream, which are all scrumptious. You will surely feel refreshed when you visit Springdale, Utah during your stay in St. George.

• Adventure Trips

You can also go on an adventure trip by hiring a guide and going on various locations. You will surely enjoy rock climbing, hiking and doing instructional courses so that you will learn a lot about the wild and surviving outdoors.

Visiting Springdale will make your visit to Utah much more fun. So, make sure that you include the places on Springdale on your list of what to do while in Southern Utah.  Chances are,  you come back for more the next time you visit St. George because of the scenic views, the food and the adventure that you will experience in this humble yet rich and thriving place. Make sure to bring your camera to capture the great moments and beautiful views.

Visit Springdale, Utah During Your Stay in St. George| Drive to Springdale| Take a Scenic Drive to Springdale, Utah

3 Fun St. George Places to Go for a Cool Non-Alcoholic Drink

If you are going to St. George during summer or when it’s hot, you might want to check these 3 fun St. George places to go for a cool non-alcoholic drink. These cafes and restaurants will surely help you cool down.  Plus, it’s always fun to try new things that St. George, UT has to offer. Try these refreshing drinks and get refreshed while you are discovering Southern Utah. A cool treat is a good way to unwind after a busy day.

Things to do in St. George: Try Non-Alcoholic Drinks to Quench Your Thirst

Below are the three places that you should check out so that you can taste some of the most delicious drinks in Utah.

• Swig

This drink shack offers a lot of non-alcoholic refreshments that you will surely love. They offer a lot of kinds of drinks such as fruit smoothies, bubble tea, energy drinks and hot drinks. They also offer shaved ice that you can make yummier with a scoop of ice cream at the bottom and fresh cream on top.

Their smoothies can be blended with water, milk or lemonade for different kinds of taste. If you want your fruit smoothie to be slushy, choose to add water. But if you want it creamy, of course, choose milk. You can also add lemonade to have a tart taste on your drink.

The shop is located on the corner of Tabernacle and 1000 East. So, if you are strolling near the place, you might want to grab a drink in here.

• The Orange Peel

If you want to taste a lot of variety of drinks, you might want to check this place out. They offer tropical, classic, citrus, naked fruit and berry drinks. Their drinks can be sweetened with honey or Splenda. You can also choose not to add any sweetener at all, which makes it great for people who are concerned about their health.

Their smoothies are often a combination of fresh fruits and your choice of sweetener. They also offer breakfast smoothies that you can try to boost your energy and start your day right.

Their shop is located at 42 South River Road #13 St. George. You can taste their luscious refreshing drinks when you drop by at their drink shack.

• Xetava Garden Restaurant

Be sure to dine at Xetava Garden Restaurant and grab one of their most refreshing drinks – The Royden Lemonade Supreme. This frozen lemonade type of drink is not too strong or not too sweet, as most lemonade drinks are. Thus, the drink quite is refreshing for your taste buds.

The drink is a blend of fresh lemonade, coconut, fresh mint and vanilla. You will surely love this drink because of its sweet and tart flavor, which is not overwhelmingly strong.

Be sure to go to check the 3 fun St. George places to go for a cool non-alcoholic drink so that you will be able to truly enjoy your summer or spring vacation. You will never regret trying out their drinks, particularly their bestsellers and specialties. You will likely come back for more during your vacation and your next trips to St. George.

Free Shuttle Buses at Zion National Park

If you are planning on a trip to Zion National Park, which we highly recommend during your Southern Utah stay, you will be delighted to know that there is now a free shuttle within Zion National Park. And though this may seem a big hassle for those who own a car, because you won’t be able to drive your personal vehicle along the Zion Canyon Scenic View, the shuttle bus is actually a helpful service.

• How the Free Shuttle Bus Service Works
  

The free shuttle service started its operations last March 24. The free shuttle service will be available starting March 24, 2013 until November 13, 2013.   Most likely the shuttle will be available similar dates in future years as well.  Here are some additional details about the service:

• There are nine stops at Springdale and this is in addition to the nine shuttle stops at the park. The tourist attractions include the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and some trailheads. The shuttle will also bring travelers to the facilities on the park such as the Zion Human History Museum and Zion Lodge.
• The shuttle service schedule will start at 6:40 am at the Majestic View and 7:00 am at the Zion Park. The last trip will be at 8:45 pm at the visitor center.
• The hours of shuttle service will lengthen by May 20. There are shuttles scheduled to leave the designated stops once every 7 to 10 minutes during peak hours. The shuttles leave the stops once every 10 to 15 minutes during early morning and late evenings.
• Overnight guests can use their car to drive to their lodge but won’t be able to drive along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to go sightseeing. They will have to get lodge permit to be able to use their vehicles to get to their lodge.

Advantages of Free Shuttle at Zion

Here’s why Zion Park’s free shuttle service is actually an advantage.  Also listed are also some of the benefits that you can get from this service.

Because the shuttle service is free, it is quite advantageous to tourists. You won’t have to pay extra just to visit various tourist attractions inside the Zion National Park. Here are some other benefits that travelers can get from the shuttle service.

• Lighter Traffic

Because there will be no more cars that are using the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the traffic will be much lighter. This will enable all the tourists to go to the tourist attractions without delay.

Because of this, there will be lesser pollution and less garbage left on the beautiful spots.

• More Organized Trips

Because the shuttle operations are based on set schedules, the trips from one point of interest to the other will be much more organized. Tourists who are planning on getting to all the locations that they want to see will be able to do so because their stay on one spot will be limited. This will give them more time to go to their next stops before the end of the day. This is quite helpful for those who only have a day to tour the Zion National Park.

Free Shuttle Buses at Zion National Park| How Bus Service Works| Times and Dates to Catch the Free Zion Buses

When is the Best Time of Year to Fish Near St. George, Utah?

“When is the best time of year to fish near St. George, Utah?” You will likely hear anglers ask this question. Because timing is important in fishing, many anglers want to know the best time to fish and the best time to take a break. Fishes need to grow – and that takes time. So you have to be patient and wait for the right moment so that you will be able to catch large fishes. But waiting is not enough. You have to know the right time to start fishing so that you will only catch mature and fully developed fishes.

*** If you’re planning a Southern Utah fishing trip, stay with us at St. George Vacation Rentals in Green Valley Resort!  Hit the pools or play some tennis after catching your fish limit. ***

When is the Best Time to Fish?

Knowing the best time to fish may be difficult. As there are many factors that affect the population and sizes of the fish, you might find it hard to determine the best time to set out and cast your bait on your favorite lake.

Fortunately, there are helpful guidelines that can help anglers figure out the best time to fish near St. George. Below is a list of guidelines that will help you determine the best time to fish and the best ways to fish on those occasions.

Spring, Summer and Fall

The best time to fish near St. George, UT is through spring, summer and fall. During these months, you can catch large fishes, depending on where you fish and the fishing style that you use.

• May

During the month of May, fishing season starts. Fishes are quite active during this month so try to use techniques that will enable you to catch energetic fishes. Using streamers will enable you to catch large fishes during May so be sure to try fishing during this month.

• June to Early July

If you enjoy fly fishing, you should take the opportunity to fish during these months. There is lesser angler pressure during weekdays so if you want to fish without having too many peers with you, you should book your fishing schedule during weekdays.

• Mid July to Late August

Fishing during these months near St. George is great because you will be able to practice lots of fishing techniques. You will be able to catch lots of fish varieties during this season so be sure to take some time to go fishing on various lakes and streams during this time.

• September to October

If you enjoy using streamers, you would love to fish during this season. Fly fishing is also great during these months.

• November

Fishing during afternoons is great during November. Be sure to try using streamers as they are effective during this month.

• December to March

You can still catch giant fishes during these months, even though fishing is limited during this season. Try to catch trout during afternoons as they tend to take the bait during these times.

• April

Trout are the often caught fish during this month. You can expect to catch large ones during this time if you try to fly fish. This is almost the beginning of peak season, so, this is one of the times to fish near St. George, Utah.

When is the Best Time of Year to Fish Near St. George, Utah| UT Fishing

January St. George, Utah Weather and Temperature Information

During the month of January in St. George, Utah, you will likely experience the heaviest downpour of rain that St. George gets during the year, and sometimes even a little bit of snow. But that doesn’t make the place any less beautiful. St. George is still warmer than other parts of Utah, which makes it a favorite destination of tourists and ‘snowbirds’ alike.

Visit St. George in January so you can escape the winter and experience an early spring-like feeling. Because of the low elevation of the area, even though January is one of the coldest months in St. George, Utah, people can still enjoy milder winter.

January Temperature in St. George, Utah

• Average high temperature: 53.3 degrees Fahrenheit; 11.83 degrees Celsius
• Median low temperature: 26.9 F; -2.83 C
• Average rain: 1.12 inches; 2.84 cm
• Average snow: 1.3 inches; 3.3 cm

Activities to Enjoy at St. George during January

As the weather information above suggests, St. George is still warmer during the freezing months than in other places in Utah. Therefore, you can do activities in this wonderful place that you cannot do on other areas in Utah.

• Hiking

You can go hiking during this month because the temperature is still a bit high compared to other locations in Utah. This means that you won’t have a hard time hiking at St. George hills and canyons.

• Biking

You can also choose to bike on the trails that connect wonderful sites around St. George such as the Zion National Park and the St George Discovery Site.