Lingering Questions
Question
How rugged is this whole thing going to be?
Answer
Boulder is a remote town in southeastern Utah. The town itself has a few small cafes and restaurants, but other amenities are several hours away. Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch, where all the wedding activities will be held, has indoor plumbing and electricity, but paths are all gravel and cell service is basically non-existent. Wifi is available in the small lodge, but I would plan to be off the grid while you're with us.
Question
I want to come but can't find a place to stay. What should I do?
Answer
The lodge is now full, but you can check out Airbnb and VRBO for places to stay in Escalante (about 30 minutes away) and Boulder (about 15-20 minutes away.) Summer accomodations fill up fast in this part of the country, though, so hurry! If you'd like to camp on the lodge property, there are many spaces available. Email ashren2019@gmail.com if you want to know more about this option. (There are outdoor solar showers and bathrooms for campers, plus bathrooms in the lodge.)
Question
I'm coming from out of town--do I need a car?
Answer
Yes. Boulder, UT is very remote--about 4.5 hours from Salt Lake City--and there's no public transportation.
Question
You said I should plan to be off the grid--does that mean I won't have my smart phone's GPS to get me to the site?
Answer
That's right! We'll provide directions, but we recommend printing them out and bringing them with you. You know, like they did in the olden days!
Question
What about food?
Answer
We are providing dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and brunch is available for purchase on Sunday (you can make a reservation by emailing the restaurant at sweetwaterboulder@gmail.com.) For other meals, you're on your own. You can bring food with you (some of the accommodations have kitchens, almost all have refrigerators and microwave); buy a few items on-site (frozen burritos, etc), or go into Boulder (15-20 minutes away) or Escalante (30 minutes) for food at one of several cafes and restaurants. There are two grocers in Escalante--Griffin's and the Mercantile--that provide a small but great selection of healthy food, but if you want a bigger selection we recommend picking up supplies in Salt Lake. For more info on delicious places to eat near the site, check out this list: https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=restaurants&find_loc=Boulder%2C+UT+84716
Question
Your wedding is at the end of August. Am I going to be sweating through my shirt all weekend?
Answer
Fortunately, Boulder's elevation means the temps at this time of year aren't excruciating (high 80s during the day) and nights can even be a bit chilly. So bring a sweater, and don't forget sun protection! That high desert sun is powerful .
Question
I'm coming from out of town. Do you have any suggestions for developing my travel plans?
Answer
If you're planning on attending all the events over the course of the weekend, and want to get in and out of town as quickly as possible, here's a sample itinerary: Arrive at your airport of choice (we recommend Salt Lake City, but Las Vegas is also an option) around noon on Friday August 30th. Drive to the Guest Ranch in time for our opening pub quiz. Depart the Guest Ranch early morning on Monday September 1st to drive back to your airport of choice and head home.
Question
Can I bring my kids?
Answer
We originally extended invites to kids, but because of site and space limitations, we can only allow children of immediate family members. Thanks for understanding!
Question
So what's this talent show thing?
Answer
If you know us, you know we love a talent share. So we wanted to close the weekend with our favorite activity: watching all of you do what you do best! But don't be intimidated--we interpret "talent" loosely. You don't need to be a professional opera singer or Olympic gymnast to hang with our crew. Past talent shows have featured push-up contests, mathematical proofs, bagpipe playing and geography quizzes. So do your worst (or best)! Of course, if you ARE an Olympic gymnast, we're gonna need to see that. Want to sing a song? Perform a dance? Twirl a baton? Lay down a beat? Email ashren2019@gmail.com to sign up!
Question
What do I wear?
Answer
The location may be rugged, but we want you in your favorite dancing duds! For the wedding ceremony and reception, wear a skirt you can twirl in, shoes you can stomp in, and hair you can sweep up--or let down! We like to call it Desert Fancy. (Pro tip: you'll be walking on hiking paths and gravel trails, so do yourself a favor and wear comfortable (but cool!) shoes.) For the rest of the weekend, wear comfy clothes and shoes--and bring a sweater! The high desert can get chilly at night.
Question
What's on the docket for Sunday?
Answer
Before the talent show in the evening, Sunday is a free day--so fill it with some Utah splendor of your choosing! We'll provide brunch at Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch and a few other activities throughout the day, but plan to do whatever feels good. We recommend hiking in the nearby Escalante National Monument (Ash's favorite place on the entire planet); or moseying over to Capitol Reef; driving scenic Highway 12; or horseback riding or bird watching. Check out our Things to Do page for more options, or ask folks at the lodge for other suggestions.
Question
How do I make brunch reservations?
Answer
Brunch is available for purchases between 10 am and 1 pm on Sunday. The menu will include various food options and will cost about $15. If you're interested in breakfast, please email the restaurant at sweetwaterboulder@gmail.com to make a reservation.