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Tag: utah

Belly of the Dragon – Kanab, Utah

Would you dare the depths of the Belly of the Dragon?

This “cave” is actually a manmade tunnel to redirect drainage from the upper canyons under HWY 89 to the North Fork River just outside of Kanab, Utah. The water created this ripple effect that looks like you’re going into the depths of a beast.

It is a bit of a shuffle to get down into the entrance but once you’re there, it’s an easy hike. Make sure NOT to walk through if it has rained and always watch the weather while hiking in Utah. You can make this a quick hike just to walk through the tunnel or if you keep going, you can hike another 4 miles to a slot canyon.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel but it does get dark. If you plan to hike through the tunnel, a headlamp would be a good idea.

We had so much fun playing around and taking pictures. There is a lot of graffiti which is too bad. Make sure to leave it like you find it. #leavenotrace

There is plenty of parking and this is fun for the whole family.

To learn more, visit visitsouthernutah.com.

©What Stirs Your Soul Media

November 10, 2019
Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile – Kanab, Utah

If you love animals, then this hotel is for you! I’ve written about Best Friends Animal Society many times. We adopted our two dogs from Best Friends and we go back every year to volunteer at the sanctuary. (Which we highly recommend!) We are so excited that they recently built a hotel in Kanab, Utah which is located just a few miles from the sanctuary. Let me introduce, Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile! Follow the paw-steps…

There are many pet-friendly lodging options in Kanab, Utah but the Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile goes beyond by offering a fenced dog park, dog splash zone, dog washing station, and more!

The Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile helps support the lifesaving works of Best Friends Animal Society. They offer sanctuary tours, entertainment, off-road tours, and community events. We will be staying at the hotel in April 2020 so stay tuned for more!

Utah and Allen are already daydreaming of staying at the hotel!

©Tracy Blowers

November 10, 2019
Moonlight in Kanab, Utah

We danced too wild, and we sang too long, and we hugged too hard, and we kissed too sweet, and howled just as loud as we wanted to howl, because by now we were all old enough to know that what looks like crazy on an ordinary day looks a lot like love if you catch it in the moonlight. – Pearl Cleage

I captured this photo in Kanab, Utah on a beautiful April evening. This quote is from my box of 365 quotes that I purchased at Hummingbird House in Sedona, Arizona.

When I read the quote, it reminded me of how I feel when I travel. ❤️

© What Stirs Your Soul Media

July 31, 2019
Best Restaurants in Kanab, Utah

Best Restaurants in Kanab, Utah

Kanab, Utah is the perfect home base while visiting one or all of the Mighty Five National Parks (Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion). It’s also close to Lake Powell, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and so much more. The list goes on and on! On top of our list is volunteering at Best Friends Animal Society. Here is our list of the best restaurants in Kanab.

1. Vermillion 45 is a new casual French/Italian bistro. The food was spectacular! We have come to expect the unexpected in Kanab and Vermillion 45 fits right in. We loved the casual vibe and the open kitchen. The owner, Walt, was walking the restaurant and chatted with guests every time we were there. We really enjoyed talking with him and that level of service. Vermillion 45 is down-to-earth fine dining.

Fricassee De Legumineuse En Gratin – Vermillion 45

Sego Restaurant and Chef Shon in Kanab, Utah

2. I dream about Sego Restaurant all year and Chef Shon’s deep fried soft boiled egg. It is heaven! Chef Shon is magical in the kitchen and Sego is such a special place from the food to the service. It’s our date night go-to. They have the best charcuterie boards and we love the social style of dining.

Charcuterie Board – Sego Restaurant

AZ. Beef Filet – espresso chili rub, ancho & agave steak sauce, horseradish cream sauce, s.w. parmesan potatoes – Sego Restaurant

Grilled Caesar – romaine, caesar, fried egg, parmesan – Sego Restaurant

Best Vegan Pizza in Kanab, Utah

3. I wouldn’t have believed it if you told me that I would LOVE the vegan pepperoni pizza at Peekaboo Canyon Wood-Fired Kitchen. Peekaboo’s items are all vegetarian or vegan recipes. They opened my eyes to vegetarian food. Peekaboo is our favorite spot to dine al fresco for lunch.

Half avocado topped with quinoa and lime-cilantro vinaigrette.

4. When in Kanab, you have to stop at the Rocking V Cafe! Not only for the food but for the art. The owner, Victor, is always there to greet the guests and will put a smile on your face. It’s the perfect spot to kick off your trip with a fun atmosphere and yummy food. Visit Victor’s Instagram page at @rockingvcafe to see all the PORKCHOPPERS.

5. New to us this year but not new is Wild Thyme Cafe. Two words: Corn Bread.

Lunch at Best Friends Animal Society

Bonus number 6! Best Friends Animal Society offers a $5.00 vegetarian lunch buffet every day. It’s so good and feels like home. We love their salad bar!

Last little bonus but not least because it’s the only way to start the day. 🙂 Our two favorite coffee shops – Willow Canyon Outdoor Company (Again very unexpected but that’s what we love about Kanab) and Kanab Creek Bakery.

Check out the best pet-friendly lodging in Kanab, Best Friends Roadhouse.

© What Stirs Your Soul Media

June 20, 2019
Best Friends Animal Society – Allen

Every year while volunteering at Best Friends Animal Society, we (of course!) discuss getting another dog or cat. We rescued our girl, Utah, when she was a puppy and this time we wanted to rescue an older dog. Utah has health issues so we knew it had to be the perfect fit.

While volunteering, we walked and met lots of dogs in search of Utah’s new sibling. Click their name below each photo to learn more about them.

This is sweet Corban.

Agatha

I fell in love with Agatha but we felt she wasn’t the right match for Utah which was heartbreaking. I did sponsor Agatha. Sponsoring is a great option if you’re not ready to adopt. You can read more about that at Best Friends Animal Society.

Marcie

Marcie was amazing too! We had so much fun together but she likes to be the only dog in the pack. If you want to be a one dog family, check her out.

Manny

Manny was hilarious! He would keep you on your toes and laughing all day. We loved ALL of these dogs so much and it was so hard as always not taking all of them home.

As our time to leave approached, we were having a hard time making a decision. We stopped at Dogtown Headquarters to visit Kristi, who helped us with adopting Utah. When I walked in, there was Allen sitting behind the help desk. I felt an immediate strong connection to him! The crazy thing is that he arrived at Best Friends the same day that we arrived. I think it was meant to be.

We set up a time for him and Utah to meet and the rest is history! Allen has been a light for Utah. They have so much fun playing together. Utah has been playing more and even eating better. I couldn’t be more thankful.

As I always say…we rescue them but I think that they really rescue US.

Happy National Pet Month!

Best Friends Animal Society is the largest no-kill sanctuary in the Nation. Their mission is to SAVE THEM ALL and someday live in a world where there are no homeless pets. The sanctuary is a little heaven on earth.

If you are interested in volunteering, sponsoring or donating – visit their website at bestfriends.org.

©Tracy Blowers

May 31, 2019
Cottonwood Canyon Road – Southern Utah

Cottonwood Canyon Road – Southern Utah

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was the last place in the continental United States to be mapped. It still feels wild and untouched.

We drove Cottonwood Canyon Road from Big Water to Cannonville and then up to Bryce Canyon National Park. Cottonwood Canyon Road is 46 miles of unpaved road offering a unique perspective of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. You don’t need 4-wheel drive to travel this route but you DO need to watch the weather. *Do not take this route if it has rained or will be raining.

The land tells so many stories of our past and we can learn so much about saving our future. I feel rushed to experience it all with how quickly the world is changing.

The Grosvenor Arch was named after Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor, president of the National Geographic Society.

We loved that we only saw a couple of other cars on the road. If you’re traveling in the southwest and want to escape the crowds at the more popular sites, visit the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Below are photos from our Cottonwood Canyon Road adventure. These photos barely scratch the surface of all that the monument has to offer. There is so much more on my bucket list and I can’t wait to go back in the fall! Some hiking ideas for you are the Toadstools, Cottonwood Narrows and Willis Creek Slot Canyons. Also, visit all four visitor centers bordering the monument. Each one has its own theme! They are located in Kanab, Big Water, Cannonville and Escalante.

Know before you go! Check weather and see more DETAILS.

The trails are very dog-friendly! Just make sure you have plenty of water, even when it’s 50 degrees, that dry heat can be too much for the dogs.

If you’re looking for a dog-friendly hotel in Southern Utah, check out Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile. Read more HERE.

If you’re heading back towards Zion National Park after visiting Bryce Canyon National Park, here are some great restaurant options! https://tracyseesstuff.com/2024/02/22/best-ten-restaurants-near-zion-national-parks-east-entrance/

Life is short, keep searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

©Soulsite Media

May 14, 2019

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