Fantastic Flying Four Wheeling in the Fall!

I like to think I'm adventurous way above many other characteristics.  That being said, it took me a long time to begin to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors.  The real purpose of being outside (when I was younger) was to go fast and conquer!  I'm not sure when it happened but maybe it had something to do with becoming a mom and then grandma that I began to look around at what I'd been missing.

About at the Timberline

This past 4-day weekend (fall break) 4-wheeling in the Marysvale, Utah area was one of those "catch-up times" for not paying attention in the past.  We took our youngest son, 15 years old and oldest grandson, 11 years old and covered over 200 miles.  We rode through tunnels of golden aspen trees creating leaf blizzards and across mountainsides that looked as though Midas had been running around touching just the right trees to create masterpiece after masterpiece.  We flew to the tops of snowy mountains and then flew down them again; the landscape changed over and over from dusty and dry prairie to snowy and muddy alpine, the roads from wide and smooth to narrow, rocky and steep.  I've never been through so many water crossings in such a short time. We hiked to the Bullion Waterfall, followed the ATV trail around the stunning Koosharem reservoir-elevation 7,000 feet and cruised through cougar and bear country at elevations over 11,000 feet.

Koosharem Reservoir

Then, combine all this with the fact that we got to go with such good friends, the Colyars and 2 of their grandkids - I can't begin to tell you how memorable this trip will always be.  Mont and Cheryl had a much much more thorough knowledge of the area and took us to Miners Park up Bullion Canyon.  Wow!  If you're at all a history buff and/or into mining, this place is super cool!  Many of the old mining buildings and tools used in the last century and before that have been left as an outdoor museum, complete with "plaques" explaining the displays.  If you live in Utah and have a 4th or 7th grader, come prepared to take pictures and notes as this would make a great report for their Utah History course.  The park is about 5 miles from the town of Marysvale.  The Paiute ATV trail is a world renowned, maintained trail system in central Utah.

Trev and One of  Several Mining Implements at Miner's Park

Miner's Park - Closed Off Mine Entrance

To make a great trip even better, the Deckers came with their 12-year old son and joined us on Friday evening.  Of course, with the boys - we had to do what we've come to call "the bowl".  This is right next to the trail just as you leave Marysvale.  It's a place with all grades of hills.  I had a lot of fun there last year but this year, scared myself on the very first hill and had to sit to watch the more adventurous riders while my heart slowed back to normal.  Dang that 50th birthday! JK

We rented our 3 machines from Lizzie and Charlies in Marysvale. They have been so great to work with.  They really make sure things go well.  Lizzie and Charlies is a full service campground complete with full hook-ups, covered pavillion and even camping cabins. Last year we went a bit earlier in the year.  It was our first time in the area and we didn't know what to go see.  We still had a great time but didn't realize what we'd missed.  Right next to Lizzie and Charlies is a crown jewel for Marysvale; a little pizza cafe called "The Garage".  We tried it last year and were so completely caught off guard at how good the pizza was, we asked a lot of questions.  How could such good pizza be being made right there?  Well, the chef is from New York, complete with accent and real knowledge of how to make a New York Pizza Pie.  The Garage closes for the winter season so we missed it this year but vowed to go earlier next year!

Bullion Waterfall

The Richfield Comfort Inn was our hub; complete with all of the amenities, including breakfast so that was one less meal to worry about.  One night while there, we ate at the South China Cafe.  We were very pleased with the food and the atmosphere-clean and new; with quick, friendly service.  We will definitely go there next time we're in Richfield.  I think with these past two trips under our belt, we can safely say we've got a new family tradition - riding the Paiute trail for fall break!