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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS Opinion most central community of Kanab to survive. Kanab is within minutes ofthese national parks, and yet each year it faces Letters Continued from Page 4 down. Right in front of their noses was all that gold, and they didnt even see it! Our Heritage Highway 89 has such treasures and we havent seen them. Yes, this Central Utah corridor has the greatest concentration of natural wonders found anywhere, and many come to visit them, but we have not seen the true wealth they can generate for thosewholive here. Many round the world, travel half-wa- y at great expense, to stand on the rims of our Grand Canyon and Bryce, and in the valley of Zion, and marvel at these wonders of nature, but what wealth have they generated for us? Consider this: Utahs tourist related income amounts to more than $7billioneach year. Eighty six per cent of this $7 billion is generated along just the northon whatis known ern half of as the Wasatch Front. Yes, this 1-- WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20, 2003 15 is Salt Lake, the Mormon Church, and the ski resorts, but 86 of all tourist dollars? Come on, something is terribly wrong. Even these wonders of nature, that many consider our greatest tourist asset along this 250 mile valley corridor of Central Utah, have not produced enough in tourist-relate- d income for the , a declining population, business and sometimes Sheriffs sales of businesses that would prosper if this area were closures, properly promoted. The reason is simple. Our visitors come, they stand on the rims of these vast canyons, they look, take pictures, and are gone. These assets have produced substantial income for the companies that brung'em, and very little for those who hosted them. We have failed to provide them with what they would have enjoyed even more, and what they would have gladly paid for. How many times have I heard these visitors ask, Where are the cowboys and Indians, are they all gone? We have failed to provide them with the western cookouts, the campfire programs with live entertainment, the experiences of sleeping in an authentic Indian tipi or pioneer cabin, and learning to shoot an Indian bow or throw a Tiawk. We must admit it, we have failed to market one of our greatest assets, our old west, that the whole world grew up with in the epic western films that were made right here. But, we have more. We also live in the greatest playground. We have Lake Powell, arguably the greatest lake in the world, tertainers are telling them about their relations with Mother to irrigate them. to like the Earth. An asset? Of course. would hear They Some will come for our nastory of The Quilt Walk For Survival when the little com- tional parks, others will come to munity of Panguitch sent a party play, a few will come to learn, for family fun. This lake is 187 diverted their fishing streams miles long, has more shoreline than from Canada to Mexico, with side canyons in which families can find complete seclusion. The lake is warm and full of fish. It is a boaters paradise. We also have the Colorado River and its famous rapids. We have Coral Pink Sand Dunes. This mountain of coral sand is ideal for AT Vs and hours of great fun, but few have discovered it, or come with the toys to enjoy it. We also have whitewater rafting down the Sevier Canyon and the 350 Mile Mountain Paiute Trail for hiking, biking, explorand ing, and ATV, horsebackriding. Will people pay to play? We have still another asset, our unique histories and cultures. This is a new interest for travelers, perhaps not strong enough to entice them to travel a great distance to get here, but strong enough for them to spend some extended time to learn about while they are here. They would like to hear the untold stories about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Butch was born in Circleville. They would enjoy learning about The Clash of Cultures that resulted in a war with very bloody seven-yea- r the Native Americans, when the Indians first welcomed the white man, until they took their hunting grounds for their farms and four-whe- el and others will come to get away. A wise guest will provide some of each of these. He will guide the visits to the national parks. He will provide the toys. He will of men over the mountain, in heavy winter snows, to Parowan, for supplies to save a starving community. They were only successful when they learned that they could walk on the deep powdered snow by placing one quilt in front of another and walking on them, the many hard miles to Parowan, and back. The many fascinating stories offer the tipis and pioneer cabins. He will provide the cookouts and the campfire programs with the stories of the wild west. He will provide a medicine wheel that overlooks the valley, and time to meditate and reflect. All the gold in California becomes insigni ficant to the wealth we have right here. Kanab, hold on. It has been prophesied that you would someday blossom like a rose, and you will, when we lie on our belly to take a drink, and see the reflections of our own mountains. about the dedicated Jacob Hamblin, who spent the rest of his life befriending and helping the several Indian attacks and annihilation, would require more than one evening of telling around a good campfire. These many stories of faith, dedication, and determination, are lessons that we need to learn to be successful in our modern world. A person, from anywhere, will appreciate and learn from our unique histories. We have still another valuable asset to offer our guests, and that is the vastness of our land. Those who come fromlarge cities, with the congestion, the noise, and the pollution, stand in awe. An instant sense of healing occurs. Some feel a spirit here. They begin to understand what our Native American en Bud Barnes Kanab Why not subscribe to the SUN today? Just calls'" 644- s' 2900 to sign up! Sound Room Radio Shack authorized dealer for Cellular One Largest Physical Coverage Area in Southern Utah! r August Special Free month of service with new activation! 1000 mobile to mobile minutes plus 200 bonus minutes for 3 months! And a Free Phone! Some restrictions apply, see printed materials in store for details. Get a Wilson antenna and talk almost the whole way to St: George! aim) (ten) M nvi ' |