The 3 Best Beginner Off-Roading Trails in Utah

The 3 Best Beginner Off-Roading Trails in Utah

If you’re looking for fun off-road experiences in your Jeep, you’ve got to get to Utah. This state is covered in trails with rocky terrain and beautiful views.

It can be hard to know where to start when you’re new to off-roading. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying this pastime. Check out the three best beginner off-roading trails in Utah, and start planning your next adventure.

1. Toquerville Falls

Not far from Hurricane, Utah, Toquerville Falls is a beautiful, gentle 11-mile trail. This is a great trail to take your family on. Some people hike in this area, but it’s also popular for off-roading. For an extended trip, spend the night camping in this beautiful place.

As you drive the trail, appreciate the mountain views and the creek flowing in the canyon. At the end of the journey, you’ll reach the waterfalls. In early spring, the water is cold. In the summer, however, you’ll find wading into the pool more comfortable.

2. The Wasatch Skyline Trail

This 21.5-mile trail from point to point near Farmington, Utah, gives you an excellent view of the Salt Lake Valley. As always, even with easy trails, you should know what to expect when off-roading before you head off for the trailhead. The best trip is the one you’re prepared for.

This route takes an average of over 11 hours to complete. You’ll likely encounter other people also enjoying this popular trail, including hikers and mountain bikers. Visit from May through October to have the best experience and enjoy lush mountain views.

3. Klondike Bluffs

North of Moab, Utah, this trail offers access to three interesting sites: an old mine, Klondike Bluffs, and Tower Arch. The views of the iron-filled sandstone make this one of the best beginner off-roading trails in Utah. You’ll also see dinosaur tracks, which you’ll have an easy time spotting because they’re often surrounded by stones.

You’ll climb small sand banks, drive over bumpy ledges, and drive through sandy roads. Go when the trail is dry for an easier experience. A little over four miles into the trail, you’ll drive onto a large slickrock area where the trail is marked with white paint.

Klondike Bluff Road is a multi-use route enjoyed by hikers and mountain bikers, too. They will take a different route from off-roaders.

Ways To Protect Your Belongings From Bears

Ways To Protect Your Belongings From Bears

If you’ve ever dealt with a bear clawing into your food, house, or dumpster, you know they can cause a lot of damage. Bears are a lot less charming when their curiosity ruins your belongings. Learn a few ways to protect your belonging from bears and remember to appreciate these dangerous creatures from a distance.

Food Storage

Hiking, camping, or traveling with food is an invitation for bears to rummage. Ask campground management if they can supply safe storage for your food. Some campgrounds provide metal lockers secured to the ground. If you frequently move while camping, invest in bear canisters. They are easy to transport, and tooth and claw resistant. You should store these canisters away from your campsite, or tie them to a tree.

Odors

It’s no secret that bears have a keen sense of smell. If you have bird feeders, regularly clean the fallen seeds underneath them. When the bears come out of hibernation, it’s time to put the birdseed away. If you have pets, keep them and their food inside. Even a single dropped treat can bring the bears your way. Put your garbage out as close to pickup time as possible. Invest in a bear-resistant trash container or a separate storage area. If you own a business that needs a large garbage bin or dumpster, there are several ways to protect your dumpster from snooping animals.

Fencing

Proper fencing can keep your home, business, and belongings safe. Fencing off areas is one of the best ways to protect your belonging from bears. Don’t worry; an electric fence won’t harm the animal. It will, however, shock them enough to prevent intrusions. The materials required are a 12-volt marine battery or 110-volt household current, an energizer, fence posts, a grounding rod, and steel wire. Reach out to a professional if you are not confident about setting up and electric fence yourself.

Prevent the unfortunate case of bears getting into your belongings. Not only can bears damage your belongings but they can put your safety at risk, too. Remember to appreciate these beautiful animals while still using safety measures.

The Basic Groups of Firearms and How They Are Classified

The Basic Groups of Firearms and How They Are Classified

Firearms can be used for recreation, sports, hunting, and protection. They can be single-shot or fully automatic and come in many styles and sizes. Let’s learn more about the basic groups of firearms and how they are classified.

Semi-Automatic

Semi-automatic firearms are guns that fire one shot per pull of the trigger. Because they’re so common and easy to use, they make up most of the firearms owned by civilians. On the other hand, semi-automatic pistols, shotguns, and rifles are legal for civilian ownership in the United States.

On the battlefield, semi-automatic rifles have been used since WWI because of their speed and accuracy; soldiers can fire several shots per second with less recoil than a fully automatic rifle. For competition shooting, as in the events in Olympic competitions, athletes also prefer semi-automatics because of their precision.

Automatic

Machine guns are the type of automatic firearm that most people think of when they hear the word “automatic.” The first automatic weapons showed up in World War II, and they were used heavily by the Germans. While the duties of each military branch may differ, but they all use automatic weapons to defend our country.

Automatic weapons fire a continuous stream of bullets when the trigger is held down. Many people think you have to be a member of law enforcement or the military to own one, but automatic weapons are technically legal if they were made before 1986. Manufacturing new automatic weapons for civilian use is illegal.

Common examples of automatic firearms include M60 GPMG (light), M249 SAW (light/medium), M240 GPMG (medium), and M2 Browning HMG (heavy).

Assault Rifles

Assault rifles are selective-fire weapons that use intermediate cartridges and detachable magazines. The two most popular assault rifles are the Soviet AK-47 and the German StG44. These guns have been used by military forces worldwide for a very long time.

Class 3 Firearms

Auto-fire or burst fire weapons use a silencer or suppressor. They can be automatic rifles, submachine guns, or machine guns, and these firearms are highly regulated. There are several types of class 3 items that the National Firearms Act restricts.

Each state can impose additional restrictions on the sale, purchase, and transfer of class 3 firearms, and compliance with the National Firearms Act is required.

These are the basic groups of firearms and how they are classified. Technically, all firearms are classified as weapons, but there are a variety of different types that have varying uses and capabilities.

How To Prepare Your Home for Tornado Season

How To Prepare Your Home for Tornado Season

One of the worst things that can happen to a homeowner is a tornado. They can cause a lot of damage, and they’re often unpredictable. You can’t control when or where one will hit, but you can take some steps to protect your home from the damage it can cause.

Take some actionable steps to prepare your home for tornado season and minimize the risk of damage.

Create a Tornado Plan for Your Family

One of the primary things you can do to protect your family during a tornado is to have a plan. A plan includes deciding where to go in your home, how to communicate, and what supplies you will need. Sit down with your family and develop a plan for what to do if a tornado hits.

If you have pets, make sure you include them in your plan. Have a safe place for them to go, and make sure you have enough food and water to last for a few days.

Have an Emergency Kit

Build an emergency kit and keep it in a safe place. The kit should include water, food, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, and cash. If you must evacuate your home, you’ll want to have this kit with you.

Know Where To Shelter in Place

If a tornado is heading your way, you should shelter in place. A good shelter means finding the most interior room in your home and staying there until the storm has passed.

Having an aboveground storm shelter is an even better option. Storm shelters provide a safe place to go during a tornado, and they can usually withstand the high winds.

If you don’t have a storm shelter, consider using a bathtub. It won’t provide as much protection as an aboveground shelter, but it’s better than nothing.

Tornado Watch vs. Tornado Warning

You should be able to differentiate between a watch and a warning. A tornado watch is when conditions are suitable for a tornado, but one has not developed yet.

A tornado warning is when someone spots a tornado, and you need to take shelter right away. Ensure that you have an NOAA weather radio to stay up-to-date on the latest weather alerts.

As the weather warms up, start preparing your home for tornado season. By taking some of these simple steps, you can help protect your home from the damage a tornado can cause.

Tornadoes can be incredibly destructive, so create a plan and stick to it. Your family’s safety is the most important thing.

Kitchen Improvements You Can Make Yourself

Kitchen Improvements You Can Make Yourself

The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the home, so it makes sense that we want it to be one of the best. But keeping a kitchen at its best can get expensive if you’re constantly hiring renovation crews. While some jobs require professionals, you can readily do other jobs yourself. Keep reading to learn about the kitchen improvements you can make yourself.

Install a Range Hood

With the right equipment, you can install a range hood vent yourself. This update will improve your kitchen’s appearance, clean your air, and provide task lighting above your stove. Read through the manufacturer’s instructions, and then measure the area for installation. You’ll need wire strippers, ducting, a cutting tool, a wall cap, a full caulk gun, and a drill with drill bits.

Update the Hardware

For a simpler DIY project, update the hardware on your cabinets and drawers. You could paint the handles a new color to make them stand out, or switch them out for a different style. This is a subtle way to update your cabinets without intensive painting. All you’ll need for this project is a screwdriver and the new hardware, or a bucket of paint.

Add a Pot Hanger

Another small project that will make a big difference is adding a pot hanger or a pot rack. Pot hangers instantly free up space because they keep pots, pans, and large utensils out of the way but still accessible. To add a pot rack, the necessary installation tools will vary. For smaller wall-mounted pot hangers, you’ll need a stud finder, a drill and drill bits, and a tape measure. Larger racks that hang from the ceiling will also require those tools, in addition to ceiling screw hooks and a chain.

Improve Lighting

Your kitchen probably has overhead lighting, but you can improve lighting in task areas by adding additional light sources under cabinets. There are several options to choose from, including rope lights and puck lights. Whichever option you choose, you’ll need a tape measure to ensure the lip of your cabinets is deep enough to hide lights, a pencil to mark where the light will go, and a screwdriver with screws to secure the light. Place the lights at the front of your cabinet’s bottom for optimal task lighting.

Installing a range hood, updating hardware, adding a pot hanger, and improving lighting are all kitchen improvements you can make yourself. While bigger projects will require professional help, these projects will improve the look of your kitchen without too much difficulty.