Utah's Logan destination is a peaceful region for those ready to remember simpler times.
BOUNTIFUL
Bountiful is Utah's second settlement and was named for one of the ancient American cities described in the Book of Mormon. Bountiful was settled not long after Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. Perrigrine Sessions explored the area just three days after his arrival. In September 1847 Sessions gathered his family into their wagon and herded 300 head of cattle into the South Davis Valley. Other families moved into the area and began planting crops the following year. Fifty-three families had established farms in the area by 1850.
Because of repeated Indian problems, a fort was constructed of dirt walls, three-quarters of a mile square, with the town site being laid out within its boundaries.
For more than forty years, Bountiful remained a sleepy farming community, but in the 1950s its close proximity to Salt Lake City made it an ideal residential community for suburban commuters. Families started moving from Salt Lake City to the suburbs, causing Bountiful's population to more than double. Its demographics also changed since many of these new residents were professionals (doctors, lawyers, educators, executives) who commuted to work in Salt Lake City.
Bountiful's growth continued throughout the 1960s and 1970s but slowed in the 1980s to only 11 percent. The 1990 census recorded a population of 36,659, revealing that Bountiful had fallen to the position of the second largest city in Davis County. Economic growth remains the city's top priority with downtown redevelopment as its major concern.
The Bountiful Performing Arts Center is a wonderful place to see some of the best theater in the state. They strive to present professional quality, family-oriented stage productions at an affordable price.
The Bountiful Ridge Golf Course is an excellent place to tee off, with its premier 18-hole mountain golf course with a spectacular view of Great Salt Lake and the valley. It is rated 4 stars and a “best value” golf course by Golf Digest.
ANTELOPE ISLAND
The largest of the Great Salt Lake's 10 islands, Antelope Island is part of the Utah State Park System. Visitors can reach the park by boat or via a causeway reopened in 1992 after being submerged for a decade by record-high lake levels.
Recreational opportunities abound. White sand beaches beckon to sunbathers and picnickers. Hiking trails attract those looking for new and unique experiences. A sailboat marina lends a maritime atmosphere to island activities. Bicyclers enjoy the experience of riding out on the causeway in the invigorating salt air to explore the island. Campers come to watch beautiful sunrises and sunsets in seclusion found only minutes away from their urban homes.
From the mainland, its 28,022 acres appear barren and deserted. But Antelope Island is home to a variety of flora and fauna native to the Great Basin region. This is a great place to view wildlife. The island was without its namesake antelope for many years, but they were reintroduced in 1993 and can now be seen in many areas of the park. Deer, bobcats, coyotes, many varieties of birds and waterfowl, and a small herd of elk also call the island home.
But most famous are Antelope Island's American Bison, introduced to the island in 1893 and now numbering some 600 animals. The world-renowned herd is managed by the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation and visitors are welcome at the island's buffalo corral and management facilities. During the annual bison roundup each November, visitors can get a close-up look at the bison and the techniques used on a working buffalo ranch.
Visit beautiful and serene Northern Utah and all its glory. Your family will thank you for it.
