We had a great and all too short weekend in St. George.  One thing I learned was Red Cliffs Campground is WAY TOO BUSY on Presidents Day weekend.  We were met at the entrance, a mile from the day use parking lot, by a ranger in a portable info booth, telling us that the park was full but we could park in a line of about six cars and wait for a car to leave.  Whoa!  We left.  We had already been there twice this year, but we were sad not to be able to share the amazing scenery with my 12 year old niece who was with us for the weekend.  

We did, however, discover several new birding places in and around St. George and we added a "lifer" bird to my husband, Steven's, "Great Year" bird list, the Aberts Towhee.  

Birding has been a long time love for both me and my husband.  We have used the bird list to get our kids outside and interested in wildlife.  A bird list is a treasure hunt.  The kids each have either a list of things to find or a blank list to fill. The anticipation of completing the list takes them to displays they would have otherwise glance over in less than a second, and, though still rushed and focused on completing the list, they learn something in spite of themselves. Many times they are on a race to finish first, thereafter helping the younger ones complete their lists.  We use treasure hunts at museums, National Parks, and anything the kids may feel tempted to rush through without absorbing the intended meaning.

In search of birds to add to our list, we discovered a great little fishing pond park in a subdivision on the way to Hiway 9 to Hurricane, Razor Ridge Park.  Here is a link to all the fishing parks in St. George area:  http://www.sgcity.org/recreation/facilities/fishing_ponds.php

We typically follow fishing ponds to take advantage of bird sightings.  The St. George birding websites directed us places where we might find a cackling goose, a snow goose, and the aforementioned Aberts Towhee. 
http://www.utahbirds.org/counties/washington/locations.htm
http://redcliffsaudubon.org/

Our greatest discovery was the Tonaquint Nature Park.  This is a park by a river, with shrubs, trees, a paved path running through it, and a pond with a duck blind so you can sneak up on the birds without scaring them off.  One of the other discoveries I  made as we drove from Washington, Utah, to the other side of St. George to the park, was that there is a paved bike path that follows the Virgin River.  The path starts somewhere south of St. George and ends somewhere in north Washington City.  Now I want to go back for a week and take advantage of all the great outdoor activities there, biking, hiking, birding, ...and swimming at the local recreation centers (I know, it isn't outdoors, but my kids love the waterslides, beach entries, and lazy rivers.)


Please comment on your favorite St. George area activities and/or your Presidents Day activities where you were.