Creating the Ultimate Outdoor Playground

"You can't have it all" and "the grass is always greener on the otherside of the fence" are quotes that inspired this post. Well actually my conversation with David and Darren on Twitter got me thinking about where I live here in Utah. Do I really have everything that I want in this state? What would I change if I had the ultimate power to change the landscape?

The conversation was about climbing areas and since David and Darren are both out east, my love for the Red and New came up. If it were up to me I would trade something here in Utah for the Red. It is completely unique to any climbing area that I have climbed at and the lines there are so damn fun.

Starting from scratch, if you could only pick 4 general areas in the USA, what would you pick?  Why 4, because there are 4 corners on a square.
Note: no matter where they go the conditions stay the same, so if it's a dry climate it is going to stay dry.

This is what I came up with.

Moab
"World-class" is the best way to define what Moab is. World-class mountain biking and world-class climbing that can be done 9 months out of the year is my biggest draws to this area. The scenery isn't too bad either. The only downside is the 3 months of not being able to do anything down there because it's way too hot. Like 100 degrees daily hot.

Red River Gorge
For anyone who knows me, this place has a special place in my heart because it was the place that started my climbing addiction. I thought I was just biased because of this, but after traveling for 6 months across the country, seeing many many areas, I still say it's the best. It can undoubtedly get warm/humid, but that's just what makes the Red great. Also the fact that it is known for it's huge overhanging sandstone routes. That right there can make your palms sweat.


California Coast
The entire coast, I'm claiming it. I have never surfed, but would love to get into it and what's a more stereotypical surf state than California? This was a tough decision because it was between this and the Adirondacks. When I first arrived in the ADK I was blown away at the beauty, but I don't trad climb, so the ADK was out.

Surfing just looks like an amazing time and many powder hounds have said that surfing is the only thing that rivals snowboarding.

What really motivated me to pick this was Point Break. Not even kidding. Just watched this Keanu-Swayze-movie last week and looked like the place to be.


The Wasatch Range.
This one is fairly obvious since I moved to Utah for the powder that is here. Utah has (supposedly) the softest snow in the world. Our locals will tell you that scientifically it is, but will have no proof besides saying that it is. Also, Utah has some of the steepest terrain as "steep and deep" can be heard often while on the chairlift.

I decided it was the best, because yes I too say it's scientifically the softest in the world without proof, but also because it's only 35 minutes from my house to the base of the resort. Hard to beat that.

But remember, we have weak beer and the Mormons will try to convert you...you really shouldn't visit. It's a "horrible" place to be.

Oh yeah, and this place is pretty cool...



So what about your ultimate outdoor playground, what would it include?