Relaxed Liquor Laws Go Into Effect in Utah

As of July 1, Utah liquor laws have become more "normal" and the state's notorious private club system has been abolished. Under the old system People had to buy a private club membership before they could drink hard liquor in a bar or pub. Now the bars are open to everyone of legal age, no membership required.

The Washington Times has this article about the changes.

Utah made history this year by eliminating its 40-year-old private-club system, which required would-be drinkers to purchase a membership. The move is expected to boost tourism and convention business as word of the state's less-restrictive laws spreads to other states.

In exchange for the move, the state Legislature tightened DUI laws and required bars to scan the driver's licenses of anyone who appears younger than 35.

The legislature agreed to tear down the so-called "Zion Curtain," the glass partition that separated bartenders from customers in a setup similar to all-night gas stations and convenience stores. The move allows bartenders to serve their patrons directly over the bar, instead of having to walk around the partition.

More significantly, lawmakers ended the system that classified hard-liquor bars as clubs that could only serve members, requiring customers to fill out an application and pay a small fee before they could be served. Still, certain features of the law gave savvy Utahns ways to work around it.

Local papers have published numerous articles on the subject. Below are excerpts from this Salt Lake Tribune editorial.

Independence Day came early this year for people who enjoy tipping a few with friends without being subjected to oppressive regulations. Starting today, state Senate Bill 187 takes effect, and residents and visitors of legal age can walk into a Utah club and order an alcoholic beverage without first buying a membership. And so ends one of the most onerous restrictions on legal libations in the state since Prohibition.

Of course, there were trade-offs required to satiate the unfounded fears of legislative teetotalers who believed club memberships curbed underage drinking. So expect to have your driver license scanned if you appear to be under 35 years of age. But make no mistake, this is a landmark occasion, and, hopefully, just the beginning of expansive liquor law reforms.

Thanks For Utah Travel Brochures

We received the text below as a comment posted on utah.com. It refers to the free brochures available on this page. Many people also find our Canyon Country National Park Map & Guide to be valuable as they plan trips.

We have just returned to the UK from an extended vacation in Utah. I am writing to thank you for the wonderful information packs we received from Utah tourism. Would you please pass on our gratitude to your colleagues in Salt lake City, Moab, Cedar City, St. George, Garfield County, San Juan County, Kane County and Wayne County who took the time and trouble to send their information too.

(You can tell from the list that it was a fairly lengthy trip- and that doesn't include our "discovery" of Logan and its canyon en route for Yellowstone. The maps and brochures greatly assisted in the planning of a wonderful holiday (sorry-vacation!) I am enjoying looking back at the contents of the brochures now and wishing I was back in Utah. Maybe next year or sometime soon?!

Thanks once again
Best Wishes
Graham E

Bigfoot - The Search Is On In Utah This Weekend

Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization will be exploring NE Utah this weekend, searching for the elusive Bigfoot creature. That after a series of purported sightings over the years have many believers speculating that a clan of the critters lives in the rugged Uinta Mountains.

The Deseret News has this detailed article about the effort. Below are excerpts.

Salmond, 44, is a new member of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, which plans to explore the Ashley National Forest near the Utah-Wyoming border this Thursday through Monday looking for elusive Bigfoot evidence. Founded in 1995, BFRO claims to be the only scientific organization dedicated to finding Bigfoot.

Purported sightings in the Utah are not uncommon. Less than two weeks ago, Ryan Burns said he spotted a strange, hairy creature in the forest south of his home.

"I saw a reddish figure," he said. "At first, I thought it was a person in a fur coat."

When the Deseret News first did an overall look into Utah bigfoot phenomena back in 1993, it found at least 36 total purported sightings/signs of the creature from 1977 on. In the 16 years since, there have been at least another 49 new alleged sightings (an average of more than one a month) reported in Utah.

Here's a sampling of some reported bigfoot sightings in Utah:

Early June 2009 — Two campers along Reservation Ridge, northwest of Price, were frightened by a strange creature they saw in the area. They quickly packed up and left.

The article continues by detailing numerous purported sightings.

Hiking Upper Muley Twist Canyon

Matt H sent us these photos and this short description of a recent hike he did in Upper Muley Twist Canyon, in Capitol Reef National Park:

"As mentioned, here are some photos from my hike of Upper Muley Twist Canyon at Capitol Reef National Park. The hike was a bit more strenuous than anticipated, but it was still enjoyable. The drive to the trailhead was a bit arduous, with washboards for about 30 miles. We were in a Jeep, so we took the road on in to the Strike Valley Overlook trailhead.

"I was surprised by the number of arches on the trail, and the view of the Waterpocket Fold from the rim route portion of the trail was stunning. The canyon portion was easy to follow, but we did get off track once trying to follow the trail to the rim."

Moab and Dead Horse Point

If you want to know what's happening in Moab, follow http://twitter.com/VisitMoabUtah. Our friend Michele Hill sends tweets on a regular basis to help people stay informed about events there.

Michele works for the Moab Area Travel Council and she sends us info about what's happening in the area. Below we list her report on programs offered at Dead Horse Point State Park.

We have interpretive programs at the park every Thursday thru Sunday this summer. You can find the program descriptions on our State Parks website. Here's the list:

Geology Rocks! Thursdays 2:00 p.m. If you love rocks, this is the program for you! Meet at the Dead Horse Point overlook under the shelter at 2:00 p.m. on Thursdays for a program about the
rock cycle and how it relates to Dead Horse Point State Park.

Guided Hike. Fridays 10:00 a.m. Join Ranger Ramona on Friday at 10:00 a.m. for a guided hike to Dead Horse Point. Learn about some of the geology and plant life of the area, and discover the exact location of "Thelma and Louise Point."

See the Rainbow! Fridays 8:00 p.m. Join park staff at the visitor center amphitheater at 8 p.m. for a program about flowers at Dead Horse Point State Park. We will discuss what a flower actually is, what its purpose is, and view a slide show on the wildflowers found in the park.

Junior Ranger Program. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. Hey kids! Join Kim for a program about water in the desert! We will meet at the visitor center amphitheater at 10:00 a.m. If conditions allow we will take a short hike to the potholes north of the visitor center.

Uranium: The Passionate Heart of the Desert. Saturdays 8:00 p.m. We know uranium as the element that made the atomic bomb possible, but there is much more to this element than meets the eye. Come discover how uranium is ultimately responsible for the stunning landscape surrounding Dead Horse Point State Park, and why this element deserves to be called the passionate heart of the earth. Saturday, 8:00 p.m. at the visitor center amphitheater.

Insect Safari! Sundays 10:00 a.m. Hey kids! Join Ranger Ramona on an insect safari at Dead Horse Point State Park on Sunday at the visitor center amphitheater at 10:00 a.m. Learn about these amazing creatures, then see how many different insects you can find!

Leapin' Lizards. Sundays 8:00 p.m. Meet at the visitor center amphitheater at 8:00 p.m. for a program about reptiles. We will learn what snakes and lizards call this park their home.

Zion Tops TripAdvisor Parks List

Zion National Park is the best in the country, according to TripAdvisor.com.

The Salt Lake Tribune has this article detailing the website's park rankings. Below are excerpts.

According to travelers and editors from TripAdvisor, Utah's Zion National Park is the best in the country. Zion was No. 1 on a top 10 list of U.S. national parks. The publication picked Zion because its "stunning red monoliths and canyons of the park invite visitors to explore its beauty by camping, biking, touring by car, hiking and more. Adventurous travelers can embark on the exciting Angels Landing hike, and the views make the daring climb well worth it." According to one TripAdvisor traveler, "It's the best view in the entire park, and best hike I have ever done! Do not miss it!"

Grill On The Hill BBQ Championship and Brewfest

Jun 19 - Jun 21
Barbecue lovers, don't miss the The 2nd Annual Snowbird Grill On The Hill BBQ Championship and Brewfest, June 19 -21st, a state championship qualifying event sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society. Top BBQ chefs from across the U.S. will compete in the categories of pork ribs, pork shoulder, beef brisket and chicken for a chance to win a share of more than $10,000 in cash and prizes. Eat championship BBQ as the best pit men in the country line up ready to do battle, apron to apron.

Event Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Address: Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird
Phone: 801-933-2222
Contact: Teri Mum
Web Site: Click here