After a long year of classes, students will get a two-week break before classes start again in the fall. Planning a small vacation for the two weeks is on many students' minds.

There are a number of trips in and around the surrounding states that are fun and not too far away.

Las Vegas is a popular trip for some students. Kristin Lander and Ben Cardon are going with some friends to Las Vegas for a couple days during the break.

"It's fun to break out of the bubble of Provo and go somewhere where there is something to do at three in the morning," Cardon said. "You know what they say - what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."

Along with the obvious attractions of Las Vegas, an increasingly popular attraction is the exhibit located in the Luxor hotel called "Bodies: The Exhibition." This is an exhibit made up of 13 real human cadavers and 260 organs and partial body specimens. These body parts have been preserved for the purpose of showing viewers the beauty and complexity of the body's different parts.

For a shorter weekend trip, Park City is just an hour away. Park City offers entertainment for men and women, with excellent shopping, golf, horseback riding, hot air ballooning and the Alpine Slide and Coaster.

For a more outdoor experience, some students are traveling up to Idaho to go to Bear Lake or Yellowstone National Park. Bear Lake has campgrounds on the west, south and east sides of the lake. Sailing, swimming, scuba diving and boating are all available.

The lake has been called the "Caribbean of the Rockies" because of the turquoise blue water. This color is caused by light rays reflecting off limestone particles suspended in the water, which changes the color of the lake to shades of blue. Bear Lake is known for its raspberry harvest, so visitors should make time to get some raspberries at one of the shops near the lake.

Kellie Prusse, a BYU student studying nursing, is heading up to Bear Lake with friends during the break.

"The trip will be a really nice break from studying and a much needed break before school starts back up again in September," Prusse said. "Plus, it will be the first time I have been on a boat all summer long."

Yellowstone National Park was the first national park in the United States. Along with seeing the natural geysers and scenery, there are campsites in the area. This is a good place for kayaking, canoeing and fishing.

"We are going to Yellowstone and just seeing all the major sites," said Jessica Bates, a BYU student majoring in geography. "It's just really exciting because it will be my first vacation of the summer."

Heading in the other direction, both Arches National Park and Zion National Park provide great sites for a short vacation. Arches National Park has more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. In some of the areas, the erosion of the rock has exposed millions of years of geologic history. Arches National Park is ideal for hiking, climbing, biking, backpacking and camping. One hike, called the Fiery Furnace Walk, is a maze of high sandstone fins. Because it is easy to get lost, guided tours are offered twice a day and last about three hours.

Zion National Park is located about four hours from Provo. The park is known for its beautiful canyons. All hikes require some planning because many lead hikers through water, and the canyons are subject to flash flooding. Zion is also known for its 2,000-foot cliffs that are perfect for rock climbing.



Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Aug 2008