Purdey Predicts
Hi. My name is Purdey The Dog. My master moved me out to Saint George in the spring of 2007, because I was having a hard time living with my two canine step-doggies back in Wausau, Wisconsin. Have you ever been to Wausau, Wisconsin in the winter? You’d move to Southern Utah, too – in a heartbeat!
The plane ride out here was fascinating. I lay in a little steel box in the belly of the plane while folks above me were fed peanuts and Cokes. I was upset most of the trip to Saint George, but I slept it off, which is what I do best.
Anyway, to make myself useful around here, and instead of just laying around eating and getting fat, my master has pressed me into service to earn my keep. So, I got this crazy idea of making some predictions for the future of this great place we call Utah’s ‘Dixie’.
I’ll be adding some things as time goes by, and I’ll probably have to take a few things away once we reach certain plateaus. I don’t make these predictions simply by the fine hair on my belly (which I like my master, or anyone else for that matter, to scratch once in awhile).
No, my prognostications are based on things I read about from the census bureau, the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce, the local newspapers, and from my master.
Anyway, back to my column. Here are some things that I predict will go on in the next little while in this amazing neighborhood. You just read on and remember them. See if I’m not right on the money! Oh, speaking of which, please don’t send me money. I do, however, accept all doggie treats, especially those with real beef or pheasant in them.
- Over 2 million visitors will reach Saint George every year
- There will be greater than 300 days of sunshine here every year
- The population of Washington County will increase to 250,000 by 2020
- Saint George sits at about 2,800 feet above sea level, and will stay there
- My neighborhood will remain a high desert community
- There will be greater than 13 golf courses here by the year 2009
- Saint George area will continue to be a great retirement choice
- There will be even easier access here for major markets
- There will be 3 Starbucks’ by the year 2010
- St. George will continue to be a progressive business venue
- There will be an average of 8.14 inches of rainfall over the next decade
- We will awake to a dusting of snow twice this winter
- Brians Head will remain a renowned skiing destination
- We will continue to have the greatest health care system in Southern Utah
- The red rocks will brilliantly glow at sunrise and sunset
- You can travel to Lake Powell in less than 2.5 hours
- There are more parks in a 100 mile radius than anywhere else in Utah
- Big commercial passenger jets will fly in and out of St. George by 2012
- Zion National Park will continue to be an hour from Hurricane, Utah
- Public ground transportation will increase in the valley
- The First Choice Team will sell more real estate each year
- More concerts and art festivals are on the way
- Hurricane City will become a true ‘bedroom community’ to St George
- More miles of hiking and biking trails will emerge
- My master will take me back to the Dakotas to hunt pheasants
- There will be greater than 20 religious denominations here by 2010
- Tuacahn Theater will boast record attendance in 2008
- Our senior high school graduation rate will go from 96% to 100%
- Dixie State College will expand and career placement will increase
- Only two hours to Vegas, Baby, and it will get shorter
- There will be more quail and lizards to chase than I can wag a tail at
- StGeorgeSecondHomeServices.com will flourish