Thursday, August 30, 2012

4 reasons to love Kanab, Utah

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We didn't expect to hang around, but then, we didn't expect to like Kanab so hard. While we left the Duck in the mechanics' hands, we put ourselves into the town's hands and went exploring.

Sometimes I'll say that a town has a "good vibe," or that it "feels good." It's not just all vibrational, however, as though I'm Being Earnest. I'll give you good reasons to love Kanab:


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Smoothies, coffee, and hot vegan sandwiches. We hot vegans enjoyed our vegan tempeh reubens there. You can also browse their tiny market for hard-to-find delights like Tofutti Cuties. What made me love the town more is that the place was doing a slamming business. 
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We were afraid it would be one of those cheesy tour-selling places, but we met a man who gave us great hiking tips for seeing petroglyphs and other cool things. Off-the-record places that he discovered on his own and wanted to share. No selling, but we were sold.

  • Kane County Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop.
We stuffed our new wardrobe into a sack and paid $5. That's thrift!

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Owner Jacqueline (jack LEEN) engaged us in conversation right away. I confessed that I was crushed out on Kanab, and she told me I wasn't the first. Kanab has had others.

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Everyone we met asked us first where we were visiting from. I guess the place is small enough that if they don't know you already, you're new in town.

There are probably more than four reasons to love this town, and we'll go find you some more tomorrow.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

So sorry—I think you mean "Kanab."

Anonymous said...

But yes, it is a pretty cool place.

Kimbopolo said...

Sounds like it loves you right back!

The Good Luck Duck said...

Well, Bleen, how right you are!

I hope so! I'm a fickle town-lover.

RightBrainRightLane said...

There are places near Kanab that were used in filming a lot of old westerns - locals might be able to give you directions. And, as others have recommended DO NOT LEAVE without visiting the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary - it's really cool.

The Good Luck Duck said...

Hi Anne. You're right; in fact, the local who told us about hiking also told us how to get to the old Paria set. He says it's run-down now, but still visible, so we'll check it out.

The Good Luck Duck said...

And, yes. We will definitely go to see Best Friends. You all have convinced us.

Tammy said...

Wow....looks like a really cool, colourful place!

Gaelyn said...

Glad you found my favorite thrift store. Also the ARC in Fredonia is good.

See ya' in Keneb.

Brenda A. said...

I think I need to be making a list of all the "good vibe" towns you all mention. I'm afraid we'll forget which ones they are. And then end up visiting only the "bad vibe" ones. That would be tragic. :(

Page said...

Love the photo of the snake path! Way cool!

Steven said...

Does Larry's have Corn on the Kanab by any chance?

Sherry said...

Well I'd recommend The Three Bears which has GREAT ice cream but mmmmmmmmm that's not vegan. However, if you want to fall off the wagon........where did you end up staying? Another cute boondocking spot coming up on these pages??

Wheelingit said...

Best Friends also does a fabulous vegan lunch for their volunteers, and the pet cemetery there is the most moving and beautiful place. We met the keeper who'd come to the cemetery 10 years ago and just decided to stay so he could help folks move on with their pets. A fascinating man. We fell in love with Kanab too.

Nina

The Good Luck Duck said...

Sherry, we're still at the garage today. Which isn't cute, but does have a hefty extension umbilicus so we can be air conditioned - what luxury! We're scouting out boondocking spots, too, so we'll have a place to go this Labor Day weekend (webs crossed). And, you never know when ice cream might turn into a necessity. The other night, I suddenly thought I would die if I didn't get mac & cheese. Neither happened.

Oh Steve. *kyuk kyuk kyuk* No, this is more like Cape Kanaberal.

Thanks, Page!

Brenda, that would be the Bad Vibe Tour - don't take it. And, you might needs some bad-vibe and no-vibe towns to see the difference clearly. For instance, Parker, AZ is a no-vibe town. Lake City, FL is a bad-vibe town.

Gaelyn, we may just check out Fredonia, too.

Tammy, we're enjoying it so far!

The Good Luck Duck said...

Ooh, Nina, that's good to know. We've been told about the cemetery before, that there's something special about it. And, enough people have raved about BF that Annie has decided she wants to go.

JO said...

WOW what a great place. I love small towns.
I hope all goes well with the repairs.

Unknown said...

Sounds wonderful. Have added Kenab to out RVing bucket list.

The Good Luck Duck said...

Good choice, Anne. I think you'll enjoy it. Whereabouts are you starting?

Thanks, Jojo. I'm keeping a good thought, too. About Kanab, there's not much to dislike.

TexCyn said...

Oh what a great place & how cool was it that the guy gave you "inside" hiking info! Wheee
Love the lizard tracks too. I'm jealous. If I meow, can I pretend to be one of the kitties & tag along? Oh never mind, they are sitting in some mechanics garage right now! Been there too much myself lately...

sierrasue said...

You can not miss Best Friends. And take in the vegan lunch there. It is at noon. I think it is $5 and it is totally fabulous!!!! Also, you must eat at the REWIND DINER !!! Ask for the vegan /veggie menu. Great food !!! Who would have known by looking at it.

sierrasue said...

Oh No !!! I just read that the rewind diner has closed !

Steven said...

OoOo .. I love that one. Kanab you tell me another one!

The Good Luck Duck said...

Steve, you Kanab yourself as many as you want.

That's too bad, Sue. I was just asking Annie if she had seen it. But, BF offers the lunch special to visitors? That's cool. I'm in!

Cyn, you are in desperate need of a carefree road trip! Bring your cat suit and meet us here.

Spotted Dog Ranch: said...

Ah yes, Kanab. Spent some time there working for Best Freinds (wrote their web page). Beautiful place.

That's where a friend and I walked into the Mormon bookstore and asked for a copy of Ed Abbey's The Monkey Wrench Gang. We had no idea it was a Mormon bookstore. The temps suddenly dropped... :)

The Good Luck Duck said...

Haha! They knew his work, then?

There is a bookstore two doors down from the Tanglewood. I wonder if it's the same place.

That's a great website!

Theresa said...

Love the flowers pics and the foot prints in the sand how cute. If you have to get some work done on the duck it seems like a good place to be stuck.

Thanks for the comment on my van dweller blog (tinsilly). Happy to meet you and see what both of you are up to. I have bookmarked to keep up with your travels. Perhaps one day we will be in the same area. ;)

The Good Luck Duck said...

Hi Theresa - thanks for coming over! Yep, we agree - this is a nice place. We're sitting on a quiet BLM road with a breeze blowing through the Duck (not all breezes blowing through a duck are pleasant), gazing out at some mountains topped with fluffy clouds. You know we like it, because we don't have to be at the garage anymore, but we're still in Kanab.

Molly said...

I was going to recommend Best Friends, too, but it sounds like you're convinced already. :)

We were there nine years ago and just loved it. Will definitely be going back someday! Such a beautiful place.

The Good Luck Duck said...

Possibly tomorrow, Molly!