Utah, Snow Tubing, High Altitude Sickness & ...(2)

A short distance drive through highway 14 is closed in winter. The only way to Brian Head is to continue north on interstate 15, turn to highway 143 near Parowan and drive south for another 35 minutes with ascending elevation into the Dixie National Forest. Snow already covered the ground on the way up. Bare tree branches let the winter low light through. The car finally parked at the parking lot of the Navajo Lodge Learning Center.

The Navajo Lodge Learning Center is the place for everything, from eating, shopping, to renting, booking ski/snowboarding lessons, and etc. – basically for beginners. The elevation is 9,000+ ft. Hooma stepped out of the car, felt tired, hungry, thirsty, and dizzy. “Need to eat something!” She thought her condition was because of hunger. But they stopped by the lesson registration area anyway because the afternoon half-day packages must be purchased by 1:00 p.m. The adult and teen group snowboarding lesson was perfect for the family! Hooba knows how to ski, yet he always wants to learn how to snowboard. Hoohoo was not very interested in either. Before the trip, her classmates had brain-washed her about the injury of snowboarding. Hooma couldn’t decide because she was hungry and grouchy. “Let’s eat first!” Hooba made a wise decision and rescued Hooma. They sat at a window table where they enjoyed the view of a clear blue sky, beautiful forest tree lines and many fearless skiers and snowboarders- at least look like fearless to them from the distance. Just about to finish their meals, an ambulance arrived. They didn’t see any injured person taken to the ambulance. But its appearance had enhanced the brain washing effect. They decided not to take the lesson.

Just a few steps north from the Learning Center, there is a popular snow tube park. Only two tickets left for the coming one-hour session. Hooma volunteered to be a picture taker. In fact, she just felt like she could faint at any time. (Please click to see part 3 )