Monday, September 26, 2011

Happy Autumnal Equinox

September 23 was the Autumnal Equinox and Saturday was the Wasatch Gardens Pumpkin Fest. In other words, Fall is here! Despite the warm temperatures, I'm de-fuzzing my sweaters and digging out my scarves.

With October just a week away, I'm already making a list of all the Halloween haunts I've got to hit. But I'd like some suggestions from you. Any Halloween-themed activities going on in Utah Valley and SLC that you'd like me to visit and blog about?

Meanwhile, here's a little challenge: photos taken at locations across Utah and Salt Lake Valleys. Can you name the shop and/or site? A prize for the person who gets the most correct.


















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Friday, September 2, 2011

Away To Me

Soldier Hollow Classic: Sheepdog Championship & Festival
Soldier Hollow, Heber Valley, Utah

Once a year, the Olympic venue at Soldier Hollow hosts world-class athletes of the canine variety. It’s the Soldier Hollow Classic….and it is a sight to behold.

If you’ve seen the movie “Babe” (or watched any Welsh television) then you know what I’m talking about. Except—and let me be perfectly clear about this—the Sheepdog Classic involves real live dogs and no animatronic talking pigs. No pigs at all. Sorry. However, there is actually a movie in the works about this event.

Make no mistake, this ain’t no beauty pageant. These dogs are tough and smart and amazingly skilled. (Okay, and beautiful too.) Dogs and their handlers come from all over the world to compete here. It’s mesmerizing to watch them work.

Can you really spend an entire day watching dogs run around herding sheep? Yes. Yes, you can. If you need a break from the competition, the venue also hosts a range of food vendors (many of them serving locally sourced lamb), craft vendors, and a petting zoo. Various entertainments and dog-training demonstrations run throughout the day. It’s a very kid-friendly event. (But leave your family dog at home, please. No spectator dogs allowed.)

Bring binoculars and/or a zoom lens for your camera. The course covers a large area running at least half a mile up into the hills.

There is plenty of parking at the venue, but expect an additional charge. Stadium seating is available. You may also bring chairs or blankets and sit on the graded dirt areas; that’s what we do since it gets us a little closer to the dogs. Stay for the medals ceremony and you get a Scottish bagpiper brigade as a bonus.

Preview the action here.

P.S. I owe my discovery of this event to my sister, a Heber Valley resident. Thanks, sis!