Vernal, Utah

Yesterday I spent the day driving to and around Vernal, Utah. This booming metropolis is growing like the weeds that fill up the city limits. I spent all day looking at my subject site, a nice single family development located just outside of Vernal. The rest of the day I drove to lot sales in the area.



I am always shocked at the growth in the town on each visit. I have not been to Vernal for about 6 months and already much has changed as new development comes bursting forth. Why is it growing so quicky? Some say it is the oil shale lying beneath the earth in the region and the race to develop feasible oil extraction methods. Of course, that is ludicrous, it is because Vernal is so beautiful. I mean what is not to love about a town who's primary theme is a dinosaur? Every restaurant, every car dealership, every city park mentions dinosaurs or has a cartoon depicting a giant ancient lizard. In fact, the golf course in Vernal is called Dinaland Golf Course. I think a vote should be held to re-name Vernal to Dinaland.



My other theory of the popularity of Vernal is the city-wide dress code. While standing in the slowest Wendy's line imaginable, I realized I was overdressed for the occasion. I had on a yellow polo shirt and a pair of dark jeans. Boy was I embarrased! Every single man in that fine establishment was wearing tight jeans (mine were far to baggy for the locals) and a t-shirt, of course belt buckles were a-plenty with nearly half of the men wearing a baseball cap.