Travel Tip #58 - Don't Drive if You are Sleepy

     A number of years ago, I was driving out to a dry lake bed with some friends for a camp out. It was hot and I was getting a bit drowsy. I saw a rest area coming up and decided to stop and stretch my legs. I then saw something that woke me up fast. An SUV rolled over right near the rest stop area. I immediately pulled over as did the other car I was travelling with. Being first on the scene, we jumped out and assessed the situation. The body of a ten-year old girl was lying to the side of the road. One of my friends checked her vitals. She was bleeding from the mouth and didn't have a pulse. I ran up to the SUV and found a man and his son strapped in their seats hanging upside-down. The son was able to get out of his seat belt and climb out the window. Meanwhile, the father frantically asked about his daughter, and I answered his questions honestly but withheld my personal assessment of the situation since I was unsure of her exact status. Meanwhile, other cars were pulling off and began helping where they could. I went back to check on the girl’s status while talking to 911 and reported that someone was performing CPR. When I was done, the man had me call his wife, which I did. She was even more frantic than her husband, and I tried to both prepare her for what was ahead and alleviate her concerns to the best of my ability. It was one of the hardest phone calls of my life. While I was talking to her, the paramedics arrived and I told her which hospital they were headed to. Meanwhile, with the help of new arrivals, we were able to extricate the man from his vehicle. It was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life.

     While I don't like to dwell on this event, there are times that it is thrust into the forefront of my mind. There are two major lessons I took away from the encounter: 1) Never drive if you are sleepy! The man admitted that he had fallen asleep behind the wheel. If you are drowsy, pull over right away and wait until you are no longer sleepy before driving again. You may be in a hurry or don't want to delay getting home, but it isn't worth it! If you drive while sleepy, you might not make it home at all. 2) Always wear your seat belt! The two people who were buckled in escaped with only minor injuries. The one who wasn't probably died as a result of her injuries. It might be inconvenient to put on your seat belt every time you get into a car, but it could be the difference between life and death - or at least severe injury. So don't risk it.

Spotlight: Utah Olympic Park

Spotlight: The Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center at Utah Olympic Park is home to both the Alf Engen Ski Museum and the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum. Yet the Sports Center isn't just a memorial to the past, it is still in continuous use to train current athletes for the next Olympic Games. Visitors can peruse the exhibits, watch athletes train and even participate in various activities throughout the year. The most popular (and expensive) activity is the Bobsled Run, but other winter activities include various rope courses. During the summer, guests can further explore the parks hiking and mountain bike trails. Other summer activities include: tubing down ski jumps, the alpine slide, zip lines, the Freestyle Show and the ropes courses.

Location: Utah Olympic Park is located at 3419 Olympic Parkway; Park City, UT

Cost: Bobsled Ride - $175; Gold Pass for winter/spring activities - $45/adult, $30/youth; Single Course tickets - $20; Guided Tour - $12/adult (13+), $7/child; virtual experience rides - $5 each; Freestyle Show - $12; parking and museums - free

Time: The facility is open daily from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. Winter activity day passes are open from noon to 4:00 pm Wed.-Sun. Check site for summer schedule. Plan on spending 2-4 hours if you are participating in any activities.

Description: The Alf Engen Ski Museum has exhibits on ski related equipment as well as interactive exhibits relating to snowfall, avalanches, and even a virtual reality ride in which visitors can get a feel for what it is like to ride a bobsled, parachute ski, ski downhill, ride an extreme mountain bike course or attempt the ski jump. Up to four riders can ride at a time, and the video footage is excellent.

Virtual Reality rides

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Virtual Reality Ski Jump

20th Century Olympic Ski suits display

     Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum holds a collection of authentic items from the 2002 Winter Olympics including a torch, medals, items used in the Opening Ceremonies and equipment used by the participants. Each exhibit also has an interactive monitor that shows highlights or provides additional information.

The

     The Bobsled track is one of only two in the whole country (the other is at Lake Placid, NY). Visitors can ride the Comet bobsled from a point about 3/4 the way up the track. Rather than do a running entry like they do in the Olympics, riders do a sitting start behind the professional driver who pilots them to the bottom in about 47 seconds at speeds exceeding 65 mph. The ride is a thrill for adventure seekers, but hard to enjoy completely since you are cramped inside the sled trying to keep your back straight so that you don't get jostled around too much. Non-riders can watch the sled's progress from monitor screens at the bottom of the track.

     The Winter/Spring Gold Pass gives visitors unlimited day use of different ropes courses: Discovery Course (beginners), Canyon Course (intermediate), Summit Course (advanced) and Drop Tower. A different set of activities are available in the summer.
     The Freestyle Show is spectacular. The 30 minute show features members of the Olympic ski jumping team (present and future) who practice their ski jumps year round at the park. From May through October, they practice by jumping off various jumps into a pool of water. The pool allows the athletes to expand their repertoire by practicing new moves on water rather than snow-packed earth. They use a bubble machine to break up the water so that the skiers experience a softer landing.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Honestly, the experience of riding the bobsled is not worth the price. It is a once-in-a-lifetime type of experience to check off your bucket list. I'm glad I did it once, but now that I've done it, I'd never pay near that amount to do it again. So, unless it is something you've always wanted to do, it probably isn't worth it.
- You shouldn't ride the bobsled if you have any pre-existing back or neck injuries, have recently had surgery, are claustrophobic or are expecting.
- The winter bobsled ride runs from December until the beginning of April. During other months, they have a summer bobsled ride. It follows the same track, but the sled is on wheels instead of blades on ice. If you choose to go, make sure you get tickets ahead of time because they often sell out. Riders must be 16+ and weigh 100+ lbs.
- If you want to watch athletes train, check the site for schedule of training events. The Nordic ski jumps have a pool at the bottom where aerial skiers can practice their moves during the summer.
- Guided tours are one hour and include a shuttle ride to the top of the world's highest Nordic ski jumps. They start daily at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

Nearby: Canyons Village, All Seasons Adventures, Park City Mountain, Deer Valley Resort

Spotlight: Salt Lake City - Anniversary Inn

Spotlight: If you are looking for a unique place to take your bride for your honeymoon, celebrate your anniversary, or even just a weekend getaway, you might want to try the Anniversary Inn. The Anniversary Inn is a bed and breakfast style inn famous for its uniquely themed rooms. For example, the one we went to on South Temple Street in Salt Lake City had the following decorated rooms: Secret Garden, Hayloft, Capitol Retreat, Phantom of the Opera, Mountain Hideaway, Mississippi Serenade, Kahn Mansion Suite, Anniversary Inn Suite, Jungle Safari, Mysteries of Egypt, Sultan's Palace, Savannah Nights, and the Enchanted Forest. The other Anniversary Inns each have their own unique rooms to explore. To preview the rooms, visit their official website.

Location: There are currently four inns run by the company. They are located at:
460 South 1000 East, Salt Lake City, UT
678 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT
169 East Center Street, Logan, UT
1575 South Lusk Ave., Boise, ID

Time: Check-In time is 5:00 pm; Check-out time is 12:00 pm (noon)

Cost: Ruby Suites start at $159/night (week nights) and $179/night (weekends)
     Emerald Suites are $209/night (week nights) and $229/night (weekends)
     Diamond Suites are $259/night (week nights) and $279/night (weekends)

Description: The Anniversary in on South Temple Street in SLC, is located in an older mansion that has been refurbished as an inn with themed rooms. The building itself has a rustic quality about it, with narrow staircases, a gabled roof, uniquely shaped rooms, and real keys. We stayed in the Enchanted Forest room on the third floor. The bed was a "four-poster bed" placed between the trunks of four "trees" with a leaf-top canopy. Tree roots served as steps to climb up onto the raised bed. The walls were painted to look like a forest complete with deer. From the bed, you looked into a "cottage" that housed the rest of the suite: a small table with two chairs, a clothing closet, a full sink area, a toilet closet, and a Jacuzzi/shower combo. The Jacuzzi tub was small and fairly old, but it was in fine working order. The shower looked old, but was heavenly. A halo of water came straight down from the hanging shower ring (about 1 foot diameter). An angled flat screen TV was on the roof of the cottage. The TV could be used to listen to romantic music, watch Direct TV, or a DVD/Blue-Ray. The accommodations were comfortable, clean, and cozy.

     We've also been to the inn on 1000 E. in Salt Lake City and stayed in the Jackson Hole Suite. The bed was a covered wagon with Old West decor around the room. The saloon style doors led to a Jacuzzi tub with a shower created from water flowing out of bottles placed on a shelf above the tub.
Although the exterior of this building wasn't as quaint, it was newer and had a wider selection of room choices.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5) - mainly because the Wi-Fi didn't work in our room

Things You Should Know: - The Anniversary Inn gives tours of its suites from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm daily.
- A small fridge is provided in each room, with two pieces of complimentary cheesecake for an evening snack. You are also provided with a complimentary bottle of sparkling cider on ice. The water bottles, however, cost extra.
- Breakfast is served at the hour of your choosing. You simply choose an entree and two drinks (per person) and turn your order in to the front desk by 10:00 pm the night before. It will be delivered on a tray outside your door at the appointed hour. The selection was somewhat limited (6 items), and the portions small, but the food was good. You could also order extra entrees for a reasonable price ($3).
- The front desk had a selection of DVDs that we could borrow (free) for the evening.
- My wife forgot to pack her toothbrush. Luckily, the front desk provided a cheap one (new) that she was able to use free of charge.
- All suites are designed for two people. Children and pets should be left home.
- No open flames are allowed in any of the suites (including candles and cigarettes). LED tealights are allowed.
- The inn we stayed at only had one internet router, so not all of the rooms were able to pick up the Wi-Fi signal.
- You can purchase additional packages to make your stay more enjoyable. These are popular honeymoon gifts. To review the list of options, go to: http://www.anniversaryinn.com/gift-shop
- We were able to purchase a $100 gift card (for ourselves) at a reduced price ($70 at Costco).

Nearby: Temple Square, This Is the Place Monument State Park, Hogle Zoo, Snowbird Ski Resort

Spotlight: The Uintas - Red Castle Lake

Spotlight: Red Castle Lake is a beautiful lake hidden in the High Uintas. There are actually 5 lakes in the area as well as about a dozen other smaller ponds. Red Castle Lake is the largest lake, and the most popular. Upper and Lower Red Castle Lakes can also be accessed along the main trail, but East Red Castle Lake and Smith's Fork Pass Lake are along the Smith Fork Pass Trail. The main activities here are hiking, camping, and fishing.

Location: The trail to Red Castle Lake begins at China Meadows. From there you take the East Fork Smith Fork Trail (Trail #110) all the way to Red Castle Lake.

Time: 2-5 days overall. It takes about 6-10 hours each way, depending on how much you are carrying, and how fast you hike. You probably want to have one day to hike in, one day to hike out, and another day or two to rest in between.

Cost: variable (gas, food, supplies)

Description: The trail to Red Castle Lake and back covers a distance of 25 miles. The trailhead starts at China Meadows, and gains almost 2,000 feet before reaching Red Castle Lake (11,300 feet). We did the entire hike in 3 days.

our pack horses

     The first day, we hiked from China Meadows to a campsite east of Lower Red Castle Lake. The East Fork Smith Fork Trail (#110) runs due south all the way to Red Castle Lake. It follows along the river the entire way, crossing it a couple of times. The bridges across the river are very sturdy. Although you are almost continually climbing, the incline is very gradual. The trail is usually shrouded with pine trees, with meadows opening up from time to time. Keep an eye out for moose or deer. After about 4 miles, the trail to Lake Hessie (later joining the trail to Kings Peak) juts off to the east; but chances are you won't even notice it until on the way back. A little further on the trail again splits. This time there is a large brown sign indicating which trail to take (stay left toward Red Castle). After passing along the spacious Broadbent Meadow, the trail heads up a series of switchbacks. Be careful, because it is easy to miss the first switchback, so if the trail starts to peter out, go back and check. Shortly after the switchbacks, the trail is joined by the Bald Mountain Trail. Immediately after, you can either continue on south to Red Castle Lake, or turn east across the bridge. We crossed the bridge and followed the trail to a series of secluded campgrounds to the east of Lower Red Castle Lake (the second largest lake in the region). We found a nice spot in the trees next to a pond and a large meadow about half a mile above the lake. Our campsite had a gorgeous view of Red Castle Butte. Overall hiking for the day was about 6 hours.

     The second day, we took day packs and fishing gear up to Red Castle Lake. The hike from Lower Red Castle Lake to Red Castle Lake is more strenuous, and you have to cross several small creeks by hopping from rock to rock, but at least we didn't have our heavy packs. The trail passes a series of ponds and even a beautiful waterfall before the steep climb up to the plateau on which Red Castle Lake is located. The lake dominates the plateau with Red Castle Butte on the east and Wilson Peak to the south. On the far side of the lake, up a slope of shale, is Upper Red Castle Lake. There are lots of fish in both lakes. Unfortunately, the day was really windy; so while some of our group caught several fish, others struggled with the wind and didn't catch any. Fortunately, even if you didn't catch any fish, there was plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy. The hike from our campsite to Red Castle Lake and back was about 90 minutes each way.

     The third day we packed up our campsite and headed back down the same trail. The main differences is that our packs were a little lighter, and we were heading downhill so we didn't need to make as many breaks. This time the main fork we had to worry about was the one that broke off to the east (right) toward Lake Hessie and Kings Peak. The hike from our campsite back to the trailhead was a little over five hours.

Rating: 4 stars (it would be five if the wind and rain didn't wake me up several times each night)

Things You Should Know: - The Uinta Mountain range is the only major mountain range on the continent to run east to west instead of north to south.
- There are a couple of different campgrounds at China Meadows where you can camp in order to get an early start. Each campsite costs $14/day, and holds up to 8 people and one vehicle. Campsites are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
- The trailhead has about 50 parking spaces and horse corrals. There are also clean pit toilets.
- Dogs and horses are allowed on the trail, but must be on a leash.
- This is a moderate hike for experienced backpackers. However, it is difficult for novices. Even though we had horses packing in our tents and food, several people in our group had a rough time with it. It would be a good idea to train those who haven't gone backpacking before by having them do some practice hikes (wearing their backpacks), and teaching them the proper way to pack and carry their packs.
- The trail is well used, and easy to follow when clear of snow. Unfortunately, trail conditions are generally muddy, particularly due to the horses. There are small wooden boardwalks over some of the worst mud holes, but there are many other spots (including right before or after the bridges) that are just as bad.
- An alternate trail to the lake if via the Bald Mountain Route. This route is more scenic, but is less popular because it is much more strenuous.
- When going on a backpacking trip, make sure you have at least one experienced backpacker in your group. People can die in the back country if they don't know what they are doing.
- The best camping spots are near Lower Red Castle Lake since Red Castle Lake is above the timber line.
- The meadows are marshy due to the frequent rain. The weather is very unpredictable and can change suddenly from sunshine, to heavy winds, to rain in a matter of minutes. Be prepared for each possibility even if going on a short hike.
- Although there is plenty of fresh water, it should always be treated by one method or another to avoid contracting giardia or another water-born illness.

filling up our water bottles

- Kings Peak is the highest mountain in Utah. The trail to Kings Peak veers off to the east about four miles south of the trailhead. Kings Peak can also be accessed from several other trailheads.
- If there are people in your group who aren't used to high altitudes, they can be prone to altitude sickness. Keep an eye on them, and make sure they drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks.
- The trail to Red Castle Lake is usually covered in snow from November - June. The best time to hike to Kings Peak is in August and September. For current conditions, call the Evanston Ranger District at (307) 642-6662.

Nearby: Kings Peak, Fort Bridger, Mirror Lake, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

Spotlight: Las Vegas - The Venetian

Spotlight: Modeled after the streets of Venice, Italy, the Venetian is one of the top hotels along the Vegas strip. Among its attractions, visitors can visit replicas of famous landmarks including: The Grand Canal, St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Campanile and the Rialto Bridge. The 5-diamond rated hotel is known for its rooms which are both spacious and elegant. The hotel complex, which includes the adjacent Sands Expo Convention Center and the Palazzo Hotel and Casino Resort, is the second largest hotel complex in the world, with thousands of rooms and suites ranging from $169 to $10,000 per night. The complex includes a museum, the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum, a wedding chapel and four theaters. It is also home to dozens of restaurants serving food from all over the globe.

Location: The Venetian is located at 3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

Cost: Shared Gondola ride - $29/person (seats 4); Private Gondola ride - $116

Time: Indoor Gondola rides run from 10:00 am - 11:00 pm daily (until midnight on weekends). Outdoor Gondola rides run from 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (weather permitting).

Description: Gondola rides float visitors down the Grand Canal in authentic Venetian gondolas. Riders are virtually transported to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe as they float beneath bridges, past Italian style cafes, under balconies, or along a replica of St. Mark's Square. Both the indoor ride and the outdoor ride offer unique experiences with different sights and sounds.

     Among the annual events that are hosted at the Venetian is the celebration of the Chinese New Year. We were there for the Year of the Goat (or Sheep). The decorations were exquisite, but if you go in February, you can also witness the dances and ceremonies that accompany the decorations.

Things You Should Know: - Reservations must be made in person at the ticket booth.
- The Venetian offers a class on how to pilot a gondola in a program they call the Gondola University. Participants learn the ins and outs of piloting a gondola, receive a gondola hat and t-shirt, a souvenir photo and a degree certificate from Gondola University. For questions or requests, call 702.414.4300.
- This year, they are celebrating the Year of the Dog.
- The legendary band Chicago will be performing at the Venetian this year from Feb. 7-24.

Nearby: Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, The Mirage, The Bellagio, The Stratosphere

Spotlight: Las Vegas - The Mirage's Secret Garden

Spotlight: A couple of years ago, my daughter's soccer team played in the Vegas Cup. Although we drive by Vegas several times a year, since it's not really our style of entertainment, we usually only stop for gas. However, since we were going to be staying there for several days, we decided to find some family-friendly entertainment. One of the places we found was Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. Although the dolphins were cool, what we really were interested in was the white lions and tigers. White tigers have always been my favorite animal, and I'd never seen white lions before. White tigers and lions used to be part of the famed Siegfried & Roy show that was performed here until Roy Horn was attacked by the white tiger Mantecore in a 2003 performance. The show was discontinued, but the big cats and their descendants can still be safely seen within the Secret Garden.

Location: The Mirage is located at 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, in downtown Las Vegas.

Cost: $22/adult; $17 children (4-12)

Time: Open from 11:00 am - 5:30 pm (Mon. - Fri.) and 10:00 am - 5:30 (Sat. & Sun.). Plan on spending about an hour or more.

Description: Although Mantecore eventually died of natural causes, another white tiger and several white lions still live at the Secret Garden. In fact, when we went, there were several young white lions that were having fun tussling and playing with a carton cylinder.

     In addition to the great, white cats, there are also some leopards and a black jaguar.

     The Dolphin Habitat is a multi-pooled sanctuary for bottle-nose dolphins. Trainers regularly exercise the dolphins, so find try and stick around for that if you can. Unfortunately we missed out on that.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5); potentially greater with the dolphin show

Things You Should Know: - As is the case elsewhere in Vegas, families should be cautious about exploring other venues within the Mirage, some of which are definitely not family-friendly.
- If you go, check online for coupons ahead of time.
- If you take a VIP tour, you can get a behind the scenes look at the facility. The Trainer for a Day program gives visitors the opportunity to feed, swim with, and even practice "training" the dolphins.
- If you go during the heat of the day, the cats will likely be napping. Try to go early for best viewing.
- Rather than driving around and trying to find parking, it is much easier to walk from place to place.

Nearby: The Venetian, Caesar's Palace, Sands Expo Convention Center, The Bellagio

Spotlight: Las Vegas - The Stratosphere

Spotlight: Built in 1995, the Stratosphere is one of the most recognizable hotels along the famous Vegas Strip. Reminiscent of the Space Needle in Seattle, the Stratosphere is the tallest free-standing observation tower in the United States (1,149 feet/350.2 meters). The tower has two observation decks. The first is a rotating restaurant known as "Top of the World." Above that is a deck dedicated to adrenaline junkies - complete with 4 thrill rides: Big Shot, Insanity, Sky Jump Las Vegas and X-Scream. The hotel is actually a separate building (24 floors) with 2,427 rooms.

View from the top

Location: The Stratosphere is located at 2000 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

Cost: Observation Deck admission - $20/adult, $14/child, $10/hotel guest
     Tower + 1 ride - $25; Tower + 2 rides - $30; Tower + 3 rides - $35
     Sky Jump - $119.99
     An unlimited rides pass to Big Shot, Insanity and X-Scream - $39.95
     - Add $5 per ticket on weekends (Fri-Sat)
   
Time: The rides are open Sun-Thurs from 10:00 am - 1 am; Fri-Sat from 10:00 am - 2:00 am. Plan on spending about 1-2 hours.

Description: Since we didn't stay at the hotel, visit the casino or eat in the restaurant, I can't really comment on those. However, my daughter and I did go up to the top deck to check out the rides.

     When it was built, Big Shot (1,081 feet/329 meters) was the highest thrill ride in the world. It is a pneumatically powered tower ride in which you strap yourself into your seat. Then you wait, knowing that you're going to shoot up into the air, but never quite sure when until suddenly, ZOOM! Your seat shoots about 150 feet up at 45 mph. Then you drop about halfway and shoot up again. You yo-yo a couple of times before slowly descending to the deck.

     Insanity is appropriately named. First you strap into your seat next to your neighbor. The five pairs of seats are attached to a claw-like contraption that slowly maneuvers out over the edge of the tower until you are looking down at the street 900 feet below. Then it starts rotating at about 40 mph as the chairs swing out at about a 45 degree angle. You swing like that for almost two minutes before the claw stops rotating and slowly maneuvers back onto the deck. My daughter screamed the entire time. I laughed so hard I got a headache.

     Sky Jump Las Vegas holds the Guinness World Record for highest commercial decelerator descent with an official height of 829 feet. After riders are given a brief safety lesson, they suit up in a special jumpsuit and led to the edge where they have to jump off. They are attached to the tower by a machine called the "descender" which controls the speed of their fall, particularly near the end.
     X-Scream is approximately 866 feet high. Riders strap into a roller-coaster style bobsled that slides along a 68 foot straight piece of track. When the ride starts, the sled see-saws back and forth along the length of the track which extends 27 feet past the edge of the tower.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5) - We only did Big Shot and Insanity.

Things You Should Know: - Prices are higher on the weekend, so it pays to go during the week. Although you don't have to stay at the hotel to go on the attractions, they do offer significant discounts to paying guests.
- They take the safety of their guests seriously. If their is any indication that the ride isn't functioning at optimum performance it is shut down until the problem is completely fixed. As a result, not all the rides may be open when you go. We missed out on X-Scream because it was closed  for maintenance.

Nearby: Adventuredome Theme Park, The Mirage, Caesar's Palace, The Bellagio