Red Mountain Resort & Spa

Even though I arrived late for my stay at Red Mountain Resort & Spa, I was immediately relieved to find the resort had provided me with not only a comfortable room, but chicken salad to alleviate my hunger. They knew that I would be tired from a long drive and the restaurant was closed; this was their way of taking good care of me.

I stayed in one of the suites. The room was clean and relaxed, with a kitchen and family room as well as a comfortable bedroom.

My first morning started early. I went to the restaurant for breakfast and was surprised that I was probably the last one there, even at 7:30. Everybody else was already enjoying the buffet, so I had to catch up. I enjoyed fresh fruit, but to be a little adventurous I added a bit of prickly pear syrup to my oatmeal. The chef was in the dining room speaking with guests, and I had the pleasure of meeting him. He told me that a large portion of their foods were prepared using local and organic products.

I was lucky enough to go on a Morning Meditation Hike, hiking up into Snow Canyon which has breathtaking views. It was pretty neat to do yoga on the red rocks, even for a guy like me who doesn’t even know how to sit cross-legged. It was worth getting up early to enjoy the adventure.

Red Mountain also has an amazing spa. I went that evening and chose the Canyon Warm Stone Massage which was incredible after my eventful day.

Dinner at the resort was a unique experience. Because I attended the resort alone, I was asked if I wanted to eat by myself or at a community table. I chose to sit at a community table with several women from various backgrounds. It was a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and hear about different cultures. Most of the guests were staying for five or six days. They were the lucky ones. I only had two days at the resort and missed out on most of the activities that they offered. The resort offers a variety of guided hikes and bike rides, in addition to daily activities such as kickboxing, yoga and horseback riding.

Red Mountain Resort & Spa is in an amazing location, just off the beaten path in St. George. Gorgeous views of the canyon surround the area; it’s hard not to feel at ease. I wish that I had had three or four more days to enjoy the tranquility of the resort. I left feeling like I wanted to be healthier, and I can’t think of a better feeling to take away from a resort experience.

Boulder Mountain Lodge

Although I have lived in Utah most of my life, I had never been to Boulder Utah until just a few weeks ago.  I was headed to Cedar City for some meetings and decided to take a little detour to check out that part of the state.

I was thrilled by the view on the way in Dixie National Forest. The forest is one of the highest plateau forests in the United States and filled with flora and fauna.  The road climbs so high that you would expect to be in the peaks of tall mountains. The drive has several viewpoints that allow you to look over Capitol Reef National Park; it is an amazing scene. 

While traveling through Boulder, I went to Boulder Mountain Lodge.  This small, yet attractive, property was different and quaint.  It is just off the main “highway,” and so is easy to find. Yet, it’s in its own little world.

One of the most breathtaking and beautiful parts of the grounds was the vast bird refuge right behind the property.  You could look out the back window of the room and see hundreds of birds in an eleven-acre marshland refuge.  Even with the breathtaking views and trails around Boulder it was nice to sit and relax watching the diversity of birds, it is a real bird-watching haven.  In fact, they have a hot tub that sits just beyond the bird refuge which allows you to lounge any time of year and enjoy the view at the same time.

The whole property sits on fantastic grounds with a large grassy area where they just had a large concert the week previous to my visit.  They set up volleyball nets and have a large fire ring for those who are visiting and want to stay close to the lodge.

Yet to get the most out of the visit to Boulder I would suggest going on one of the countless drives, hikes or biking trails that surround the area.  In each direction you can find some of the most breathtaking and beautiful trails in Utah.  I didn’t have a lot of time so I just took a quick drive up the Burr Trail.  I found one of the many slot canyons and took a short hike.  It was a totally different world than the one I had been in Dixie National Forest on the high plateau.  The diversity was incredible in that area. Only a few miles down the road I had a fantastic view of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.  

At the lodge they offered a distinctive service for travelers unfamiliar with the area.  Small hotels and lodges like Boulder Mountain don’t usually have a concierge service, and it is often difficult to find some of the local attractions that you read about before visiting.  The Boulder Mountain Lodge had a unique way of managing that problem.  I, along with all of the guests, was invited to attend an evening tutorial about the town and the area.  I was given insights into all of the local trails, eateries, shops, museums and events.

I decided to take a tour of the Anazazi Museum just up the street.  I was very impressed with the collection of artifacts as well as the full size replicas of the Anazazi dwellings out back.  Although small, the museum had plenty to offer about the community that used to reside in the area.

If you go to the Boulder Mountain Lodge you cannot skip Hell’s Back Restaurant.  Known around the country for their fresh and unique meals made from the produce grown on site at the lodge, the restaurant lived up to the hype.  It was a fine dining experience in the middle of what might otherwise be the middle of nowhere.

After my visit I hit the road again, this time headed south on my path to Cedar City.  I took Highway 12 south and drove over the Hogsback. It was one of the most incredible drives I have ever taken in my life.  I was amazed at the view as I drove down a two lane road with large cliffs on both sides; it was an amazing experience, one I hope to repeat again soon.  Perhaps, I will soon need another trip to Boulder.