I am a NOVICE (beginner) at Mountain Biking – truth be told, I still rent my bike each week as I am debating if I like this sport or love it – but I am fascinated with the adventure and culture. It costs me about $75 each time to rent, but these are like $3-4,000 dollar bikes, so I feel I am getting a deal. I will eventually buy my own, but like I said, I am still debating if I like this sport. (leaning yes)
The above image is of the RED BULL RAMPAGE held each year on the 3rd Sat. of October (usually). There are some of the most spectacular videos of this sport captured right here in St George. I know I will never do these things these world class athletes do (unless it’s the last thing I do). I can and do feel the adrenaline surge and my palms perspire as I watch over and over these videos.
As a new Mountain Bike nerd I found a great trail website Trail Forks. This is a site that gives insights to all of our trails in the area. According to them there are 250+ trails within a 30 minute drive of my home. This means St George is a perfect playground for mountain bikers from all over the US and World.
I am glad to see our communities building venues like Snake Hollow in St George. This venue is for locals and visitors alike to build and practice skills and have quality time with friends and family.
As an investment property owner we love to see our units get booked and we get really excited when we it books to top dollar too! But what is “Top Dollar”? Take a minute and think where you consider the value point to be.
Spoiler alert – it is virtually impossible to define as it is highly subjective. To the consumer – $200 may be top dollar. To the owner $1,000/night is a dream top dollar. The reality is ‘It Depends’ and its somewhere in between. IF we always market at $1,000/night however we may have very few bookings.
As a strategy we want to find the ideal balance between price as well as occupancy – the sweet spot. We look at the best winning strategy is similar to how a coach works to win a baseball game. They do this by focusing on base hits – singles and doubles. The percentages of success goes up on singles. When we load the base throughout the year our revenues are consistent and predictable. Then we set ourselves up for home runs on key events such as Presidents Day, Thanksgiving etc. – and at the end of the year we will have a winning season. If we focus on only the home run or big plays, and not the basics and fundamentals, then our joy will be limited and far and few between. Keep your eye on the year over year performance.
Escape Properties has invested significantly into predictive pricing tools that analyze your property comparatively to other like properties within a geographic area using anonymized data through Airbnb, VRBO and our historical transactions. This is powerful AI technology similar to what the airline industry uses to predict occupancy and rates.
As such we, as a team, only need to look at 2 numbers. Your BASE (the number the AI +/- value from to set the daily rate) and the MINIMUM or the lowest daily rate we will accept for a booking. At the start we will analyze your property and help set these numbers. Over the first 6 months we review how the property is doing and make micro adjustments to fine tune performance. There is a score tool in the system. Our objective is to keep that score at +/- 5 points of 80 on a scale of 0-100. This is a health score. If the score is too high suggests that our rates are too low and occupancy it too high and placing operational stress on a property. Too low suggests that our rate is too high and our revenues are not going to be where we want them to be.
As the owner, you’re part of our team in setting occupancy and revenue plans. Our role is to execute and report back. About 2 times per year we will connect with you to review these goals and objectives and plan special pricing or marketing strategies with you. To me, this is the fun of vacation home ownership – fine tuning its performance.
“When it’s done properly, taco should be a verb.” – Jonathan Gold
I moved my family to St George in 2008 from Arizona where we had really great dine in Mexican restaurants like Rancho Tia Rosa’s – I think we were spoiled. St George has some pretty good Mexican hangouts like the Green Iguana and their amazing white sauce on a cheese enchilada (sorry, they don’t have a website at this time to link to) or Don Pedro’s parradilla platter experience, but nothing high-end destination like we had in Arizona. What we do have is a handful of great little taco places that are perfect for soccer mom’s on a budget and hungry hikers. Here are my top 3, not in any particular order, and I suggest trying all 3.
1.) Cal’s Smok’n Taco food truck.
Run by Tommy, Cal’s grandson. Tommy gives a great nod to his grandpa as to where he learned how to smoke great meats for these original taco’s. About $4 each, a plate of 3 fills you up and the smell of mesquite doesn’t hurt. My personal favorite is his El Paso taco – slow smoked brisket, tangy jicama lime slaw and Tommy’s hand crafted BBQ sauce. See where he’s at today on Instagram.
2.) Tacos Plaza.
This is a small patio option restaurant with a very simple menu with fresh tacos, burritos, nachos & quesadillas (more). The prices are reasonable and the Mexican soul flavor is very authentic. The word of mouth (literally) is the only form of marketing they need. Our first 3 times here we were disappointed because they sold out! Our 4th trip was well worth the wait – I was pleased with the flavor and freshness. The salsa bar had all the essentials I wanted. Their secret right from them – “And our recipes are our own! Perfected over generations of love and passed down from mother to daughter, everything at Tacos Plaza is original, fresh, and absolutely delicious!”
3.) El Coyote Charo.
El Coyote is the kind of place that, when I walk in I see only myself and one or two other ‘gringo’s’, everyone else is latino, therefore I know this place is real good. Fresh agua frescas & horchata to a salsa bar with fresh pinto beans. Here you can get tacos’ made with all the traditional meats (carne asada, el pastor, chicken) as well as unique baja flavors like shrimp ceviche or menudo. The smell of fresh fire roasted jalapeños and onions fills the air and the melty cheese is a must.
Because I love the Latino flavors – especially the Taco – I hope you found my top 3 as tasty as I have.
Here’s a special bonus for our out of area readers – Because bringing your family to the St george area for an Escape should be as amazing as these tacos! Use the DISCOUNT code “Taco” and save $$$ on these select units or any of our 60+ area vacation homes.
Our themed retreat – Castle Ridge – 4 bedroom with the areas best castle bunk room.
Or you may find an under sea adventure in Submarine is worth “diving into”? See Ridge Haven.
Or a little alien abduction on route 66 themed cabin near Zion National Park. Check out The Bunker at Area 51.
Hell Hole Trail
Looking for hiking or biking trails? The Greater St George area (St George, Washington, Ivins etc.) are connected by a network of paved trails ideal for biking, roller blades, hiking and dog walking. Our community is known for an active lifestyle. This is one of our leading qualities that attract thousands of visitors every month.
Hell Hole trail
is one of my favorite in the area as it starts out in Washington at the intersection of Telegraph and Washington Parkway (Exit 13). At the trailhead is CANYON PARK (also known as the Ninja Warrior Park) which in itself is a blast to hang out in if you’ve got any competitive urges.
Hell Hole drops down to the Virgin River and connects up to the Virgin River trail. At the bottom of the trail, go right you’ll end up heading towards St George passing Sullivan Park and Soccer fields. You can stay on this line for miles into St George and Santa Clara without ever leaving the trail system to cross major roads. Ideal for young kids on bikes or scooters. Go left you head East towards Hurricane. The trail ends about a mile heading towards Hurricane – the future plan is to connect to Hurricane and beyond all the way to Zion National Park. This line can take you all the way along the river into St George and out to Ivins/Santa Clara.
This is an official Washington City video on the loop made about 2 years ago (2019/2020) right after they updated the pavement. When using the biking trails, be kind and share the road. You will encounter runners, bikers, skate boards/blades and walkers of all ages. If your eyes are sharp you will spot fox, deer, squirels, butterfly’s and all things of the desert nature around us.
BIKE TRAIL INTERACTIVE or PDF MAPS/Info
Looking for vacation home options near here? Check out these select homes in the Sienna Hills Area off exit 13. (Walking Distance to Hell Hole and Beyond). Interested in owning or selling a vacation home in the area? Connect with us. We’re not your typical real estate office!
SPRING BREAK – Depending on where you live your spring break may start as early as March 4th this year. Spring break traditionally ends Easter Weekend which is on April 17th. With the continuation of schools dealing with the Covid issues you may decide to take an extended spring break all together. Who knows!?
This time of year we have mild days and cool nights. Plus there is not a great deal of rain which is ideal to go out on desert hikes and explore. People enjoy the ever popular Snow Canyon or Zion National Parks as well as get off the beaten path and discover the Red Cliff Reserve and hike to several arches, sand stone monoliths or old west ghost towns! Photography opportunities also flourish with the desert in bloom.
The Weather
During spring break we have lots of league or travel team tournaments for baseball, soccer and basketball as well as dance and cheer competitions. There is always something going on which makes this area very busy every weekend.
Photography
