Some things listed here are required for your actual, physical survival…others are offered just to keep you from going crazy.
- A water bottle.
Ryan Hyde/flickr We live in a high-elevation desert climate, so it’s easy to become dehydrated. If you’re hiking in Utah’s desert environment, you really can’t live without it.
- A conservative mindset.
Daniel R. Blume/flickr Is your sprinkler system still on? And is one sprinkler head broken, so a geyser shoots into the street instead of on your lawn? As I previously mentioned, we live in a desert. Also, many Utahns are affected by pollution, especially during Utah’s winter inversions. Try to plan your trips carefully and carpool whenever possible.
- Patience.
Garrett/flickr Driving on I-15 along the Wasatch Front during rush hour requires the patience of a saint. This isn’t just a Northern Utah problem…just try driving north on I-15 from St. George on a Sunday afternoon, or along the Mirror Lake Byway on a holiday weekend.
- Sunscreen.
Mike Mozart/flickr Our high elevation makes us particularly susceptible to the sun’s rays. It’s easy to remember to slather the stuff on during the summer, but make sure you apply it in the winter months, too!
- A love (or tolerance) of small children.
Vincent Sheed/flickr Utah has the highest birth rate in the nation. And, Utahns take their kids EVERYWHERE - restaurants, movie theaters, professional offices. I recently ran into two toddlers at a sports bar in Draper! If you want to survive in Utah without going crazy, develop a tolerance for other people’s children.
- A low windshield deductible.
Paul Templat/flickr Utah surely has the most road construction in the nation. If not, it seems that way. Road construction means loose gravel. Loose gravel means…windshield dings.
- An emergency plan.
Horatio3k/flickr A large fault line runs right through our state; experts predict we could have a large earthquake at any time. Parts of Utah also suffer from seasonal wildfires, flooding and landslides. Make sure your family has a plan in case of a natural disaster.
- A library card.
Anna C. Brandão Alves/flickr Everyone needs a library card to survive in Utah. You’ll want to bring along a book on your next journey to the DMV, and with stormy winter weather coming, you might want to curl up with a mystery novel next to the fire. If you’re not a reader, check out your local library’s DVD and music collections.
- A drink.
Mr.TinDC/flickr Sometimes life is stressful, even in Utah. Whether you turn to a dirty coke, a caffeine-free diet coke, or a rum and coke…sometimes you just need a drink.
- Two hats .
Umberto Salvagnin/flickr You need a hat to protect your head and face from the summer sun, and a warm hat to keep your head and ears warm in the winter.
- Good tires.
Cowgirl Jules/flickr Winter is coming, which means ice, snow and slush on the roads.
- A buddy (or two).
Chris Locke/flickr The hiking, snowshoeing and canyoneering in Utah is legendary. But it’s always smart to go with a buddy, just in case you get injured or sick. It’s more fun, too.
What have you found that you need to have in order to survive in Utah? Tell us in the comments!
Ryan Hyde/flickr
We live in a high-elevation desert climate, so it’s easy to become dehydrated. If you’re hiking in Utah’s desert environment, you really can’t live without it.
Daniel R. Blume/flickr
Is your sprinkler system still on? And is one sprinkler head broken, so a geyser shoots into the street instead of on your lawn? As I previously mentioned, we live in a desert. Also, many Utahns are affected by pollution, especially during Utah’s winter inversions. Try to plan your trips carefully and carpool whenever possible.
Garrett/flickr
Driving on I-15 along the Wasatch Front during rush hour requires the patience of a saint. This isn’t just a Northern Utah problem…just try driving north on I-15 from St. George on a Sunday afternoon, or along the Mirror Lake Byway on a holiday weekend.
Mike Mozart/flickr
Our high elevation makes us particularly susceptible to the sun’s rays. It’s easy to remember to slather the stuff on during the summer, but make sure you apply it in the winter months, too!
Vincent Sheed/flickr
Utah has the highest birth rate in the nation. And, Utahns take their kids EVERYWHERE - restaurants, movie theaters, professional offices. I recently ran into two toddlers at a sports bar in Draper! If you want to survive in Utah without going crazy, develop a tolerance for other people’s children.
Paul Templat/flickr
Utah surely has the most road construction in the nation. If not, it seems that way. Road construction means loose gravel. Loose gravel means…windshield dings.
Horatio3k/flickr
A large fault line runs right through our state; experts predict we could have a large earthquake at any time. Parts of Utah also suffer from seasonal wildfires, flooding and landslides. Make sure your family has a plan in case of a natural disaster.
Anna C. Brandão Alves/flickr
Everyone needs a library card to survive in Utah. You’ll want to bring along a book on your next journey to the DMV, and with stormy winter weather coming, you might want to curl up with a mystery novel next to the fire. If you’re not a reader, check out your local library’s DVD and music collections.
Mr.TinDC/flickr
Sometimes life is stressful, even in Utah. Whether you turn to a dirty coke, a caffeine-free diet coke, or a rum and coke…sometimes you just need a drink.
Umberto Salvagnin/flickr
You need a hat to protect your head and face from the summer sun, and a warm hat to keep your head and ears warm in the winter.
Cowgirl Jules/flickr
Winter is coming, which means ice, snow and slush on the roads.
Chris Locke/flickr
The hiking, snowshoeing and canyoneering in Utah is legendary. But it’s always smart to go with a buddy, just in case you get injured or sick. It’s more fun, too.
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