Connected to the Nordic center is the Soldier Hollow Golf Course, which is a cousin to the Wasatch Mountain Golf Course to the north. Both fall under the control of the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation, as does the Soldier Hollow complex. The Wasatch course remains one of the most popular in the state, and the two 18-hole courses at Soldier Hollow are rapidly gaining the respect of golfers.

There are few opportunities in this day and age to hop a train. One of the few remaining places is the Heber Valley Railroad, which departs from town and heads along the western shore of Deer Creek. The menu of activities ranges from sunset barbecues to fiddlers entertaining passengers to a ride through a haunted canyon in October.

What you don't know:

Even though people are well aware of Soldier Hollow, they may not be as familiar with the number of summer and fall activities available.

One of the newest events on the county docket is the annual Soldier Hollow Classic International Sheepdog Championships, which start Friday and run through Monday. This will be the third year for this event, which brings in dogs and trainers from around the world.

The Fiber & Cultural Celebration will be held in conjunction with the trials.

Border collies, considered the most intelligent of all dogs, utilize their skills to herd sheep in an entertaining and competitive event. Each day the nature of that competition changes as the event progresses.

Along with the fiber event, there will also be a Navajo Rug Show, Scottish Highland games and ethnic foods available.

Another event that is gaining attention is the Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Buckaroo Fair. This will be the 11th year for the event, which will run from Nov. 1-6. Poets and singer/songwriters from around the country will entertain audiences. The six-day event features cowboy grub and dinner shows, horse shows and cowboy gear displays.

As part of its annual Schutzenfest celebration, a special Oktoberfest that originated in the lower Rhine Region of Germany, the Blue Boar Inn & Restaurant, which was named the 2005 Best of State Statue winner for dining, will showcase its popular European fare, with daily German specials.

A number of scenic rides originate from the Heber area. One of the more popular and accessible is Guardsman's Pass, which links with Big Cottonwood Canyon and Park City. The access point is the same as the one to Wasatch golf course, except instead of turning left into the course, proceed straight ahead.

Close to the golf course is Cascade Springs, probably best remembered for the large fire of 2003. The area is recovering and the spring has regained a lot of its natural beauty. Located on the fringe of Wasatch State Park, in the Uinta National Forest, the retreat offers boardwalks and trails throughout the area, along with biological and geological information for self-guided tours.