Discovery Road

The road trip adventures continue with this ongoing series of programs about the people and places of the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area (MPNHA). "Discovery Road" features a 1977 Mercury Cougar with a fancy red and white exterior and a plush red velvet interior! Hosted by series creator James Nelson this show travels along U.S. Highway 89, All-American Road State Route 12, and Scenic Byway State Route 24. As the car drives along these roads, viewers will "discover" the things that make the MPNHA worth driving to themselves. "The MPNHA wants to tell a story and Discovery Road is one of the best ways we can do that. It takes people on a heritage journey just like they used to do with Sunday afternoon car rides," said MPNHA Executive Director Monte Bona. Using music, storytellers and the characters in the communities along the way, Discovery Road will present Utah's history, scenery and culture in an entertaining and educational manner. The Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area (MPNHA) is a federally designated area of central and southern Utah running along the beautiful and historic U. S. Highway 89 — including the All-American Road Utah State Route 12, and Capitol Reef Scenic Byway Utah State Route 24, which both intersect with U.S. 89 and together form the MPNHA’s Boulder Loop. The area includes the counties of Sanpete, Sevier, Piute, Wayne, Garfield and Kane. The Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance is the local coordinating entity of the MPNHA and receives annual funding from the National Park Service. Its purpose is to preserve, tell and interpret the stories, history and heritage of the area, and to promote its culture and value.

Discovery Road

Upcoming Episodes:

Road Stops & Stop Signs
Wednesday, August 21
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
This episode of Discovery Road pays a visit to small town America with stops in Spring City, Duck Creek Village, and Alton, Utah. A taste of pie in Duck Creek, a tour of historic homes in Spring City and a real show stopper in Alton will give viewers insight to life off the main highway. The show offers a look at the longstanding sheep industry in the Sanpete Valley through the lens of a still photographer. Beautiful photos document the wool gathering process, workers and showcase the range sheep call home. The documentary also introduces us to an artist who paints on barn wood. The unique style has been applied to an amazing World War II story with an intriguing tie to September 11. The road travels include a visit to a small town library to check out a few yarns about the historic corridor along highway 89.
Precious Jewels In Any Language
Saturday, August 24
6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
On the 100th anniversary of the National Parks, Discovery Road provides an international viewpoint of America's best idea. Tourists from France, Germany, Viet Nam, Australia, Canada and many other countries are interviewed while vacationing in Utah. A former volunteer in the National Park Service is featured greeting visitors in their own language and with a unique salutation. Co-host Maryda Nicole Gallo shows us how to listen for animals and sounds that make National Parks classrooms of discovery. Co-host James Nelson explores the popularity of stargazing in National Parks. No matter the language tourists can look into a night sky and find excitement in what they see. Discovery Road introduces viewers to the man responsible for looking skyward in America's National Parks.
Precious Jewels In Any Language
Wednesday, August 28
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
On the 100th anniversary of the National Parks, Discovery Road provides an international viewpoint of America's best idea. Tourists from France, Germany, Viet Nam, Australia, Canada and many other countries are interviewed while vacationing in Utah. A former volunteer in the National Park Service is featured greeting visitors in their own language and with a unique salutation. Co-host Maryda Nicole Gallo shows us how to listen for animals and sounds that make National Parks classrooms of discovery. Co-host James Nelson explores the popularity of stargazing in National Parks. No matter the language tourists can look into a night sky and find excitement in what they see. Discovery Road introduces viewers to the man responsible for looking skyward in America's National Parks.
Sheep Count
Saturday, August 31
6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
Discovery Road provides an educational and entertaining visit to the sheep farms in central Utah. The program starts by turning the page back to the glory days of sheep in the state. A century ago one prize sheep could command thousands of dollars. It was big business touted around the world! The program introduces viewers to big sheep operations and learns how the wool is removed from the herds. There's also the amazing story of one sheep shearer who sheared more than half-a-million sheep in his lifetime. Co-host Maryda Nicole Gallo shows us how stray or orphaned lambs are cared for and follows that assignment with a look at the working dogs who keep sheep in line. Sheep herders from several foreign countries share their views of the work they do in and around sheep ranches. Co-host James Nelson found the intriguing story of one Utah woman's effort to preserve sheep wagon history. The original style sheep wagons are difficult to find these days but this woman hopes to make them popular and accessible to the general public.
Sheep Count
Wednesday, September 4
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
Discovery Road provides an educational and entertaining visit to the sheep farms in central Utah. The program starts by turning the page back to the glory days of sheep in the state. A century ago one prize sheep could command thousands of dollars. It was big business touted around the world! The program introduces viewers to big sheep operations and learns how the wool is removed from the herds. There's also the amazing story of one sheep shearer who sheared more than half-a-million sheep in his lifetime. Co-host Maryda Nicole Gallo shows us how stray or orphaned lambs are cared for and follows that assignment with a look at the working dogs who keep sheep in line. Sheep herders from several foreign countries share their views of the work they do in and around sheep ranches. Co-host James Nelson found the intriguing story of one Utah woman's effort to preserve sheep wagon history. The original style sheep wagons are difficult to find these days but this woman hopes to make them popular and accessible to the general public.
Hello Neighbor
Saturday, September 7
6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
In this episode Discovery Road crosses the border into southern Colorado and northern New Mexico to find out how people are connected through history, culture and the landscape itself. “Hello Neighbor examines early Mormon settlement in southern Colorado and visits with descendants of some of the first families in the San Luis Valley.The incredible story of how Mormon Battalion soldiers who had fallen ill were nursed back to health by Hispanic people is told. The back story of one of the Hispanics who aided the soldiers is revealed with a surprising contemporary ending. The longstanding battle over water in the San Luis Valley is addressed through the lens of a tough elderly resident who challenges people to share the water and be fair.The water story and the land is viewed through three brothers whose ancestors homesteaded the area. The Jack Dempsey story comes alive on screen with a visit to a Manassa, Colorado museum honoring the boxer. Colorful murals and other forms of art in the San Luis Valley demonstrates diversity and history while taking the viewer to church at the same time. The program concludes with a visit to one of the most recent people to enter San Luis Valley-the Amish. Their settlement is new compared to other groups but no less vibrant and important.
Hello Neighbor
Wednesday, September 11
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
In this episode Discovery Road crosses the border into southern Colorado and northern New Mexico to find out how people are connected through history, culture and the landscape itself. “Hello Neighbor examines early Mormon settlement in southern Colorado and visits with descendants of some of the first families in the San Luis Valley.The incredible story of how Mormon Battalion soldiers who had fallen ill were nursed back to health by Hispanic people is told. The back story of one of the Hispanics who aided the soldiers is revealed with a surprising contemporary ending. The longstanding battle over water in the San Luis Valley is addressed through the lens of a tough elderly resident who challenges people to share the water and be fair.The water story and the land is viewed through three brothers whose ancestors homesteaded the area. The Jack Dempsey story comes alive on screen with a visit to a Manassa, Colorado museum honoring the boxer. Colorful murals and other forms of art in the San Luis Valley demonstrates diversity and history while taking the viewer to church at the same time. The program concludes with a visit to one of the most recent people to enter San Luis Valley-the Amish. Their settlement is new compared to other groups but no less vibrant and important.
Paradise on the Prairie
Saturday, September 14
6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area (MPNHA) and Discovery Road are bringing forward several years of interviews, taping and original research to present "Paradise on the Prairie" about the ill-fated Jewish Colony in Clarion, Utah. Interviews with descendants of the Jewish Colony reveal the family story for viewers. Discovery Road also interviewed the Academy Award winning producer Gerald Molen. Molen received an Oscar as Producer for Schindler's List, the epic movie about Polish-Jews saved from the holocaust. "If we think about what they went through, it would probably be no different than the Mormons, when they went looking for a place they could have peace and thrive and prosper with their families. They tried, my hats off to them for having tried." Molen said about the people of Clarion in an interview with Discovery Road. "A key piece of this story is the coming together of two peoples— Jews and Mormons. They came together in 1911 and 1912 when Jewish farmers needed help. They were absolutely inexperienced. They were from the cities, and the Mormon farmers came out and shared their experience with the Jews. And that example of cooperation has been carried on for a hundred years since," said Dr. Robert A. Goldberg, author of "Back to the Soil: The Jewish Farmers of Clarion, Utah, and Their World," the deﬁnitive work on Clarion. Goldberg is also interviewed for the show. "Paradise" also shows a movie crew working on a ﬁlm about Clarion. The writer of "Jewtah" discusses why he is telling the story of the colony that no longer exists. The experience of the back-to-the-soil colonists continues to amaze those who hear about it, including the movie world. ________________________________________
Paradise on the Prairie
Wednesday, September 18
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area (MPNHA) and Discovery Road are bringing forward several years of interviews, taping and original research to present "Paradise on the Prairie" about the ill-fated Jewish Colony in Clarion, Utah. Interviews with descendants of the Jewish Colony reveal the family story for viewers. Discovery Road also interviewed the Academy Award winning producer Gerald Molen. Molen received an Oscar as Producer for Schindler's List, the epic movie about Polish-Jews saved from the holocaust. "If we think about what they went through, it would probably be no different than the Mormons, when they went looking for a place they could have peace and thrive and prosper with their families. They tried, my hats off to them for having tried." Molen said about the people of Clarion in an interview with Discovery Road. "A key piece of this story is the coming together of two peoples— Jews and Mormons. They came together in 1911 and 1912 when Jewish farmers needed help. They were absolutely inexperienced. They were from the cities, and the Mormon farmers came out and shared their experience with the Jews. And that example of cooperation has been carried on for a hundred years since," said Dr. Robert A. Goldberg, author of "Back to the Soil: The Jewish Farmers of Clarion, Utah, and Their World," the deﬁnitive work on Clarion. Goldberg is also interviewed for the show. "Paradise" also shows a movie crew working on a ﬁlm about Clarion. The writer of "Jewtah" discusses why he is telling the story of the colony that no longer exists. The experience of the back-to-the-soil colonists continues to amaze those who hear about it, including the movie world. ________________________________________
The Unknown
Saturday, September 21
6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
The Discovery Road Show is bringing forward a unique view of 1860s era pioneers who came to Utah but did not stay with the release of "The Unknown". Around the time the U.S. Army nearly clashed with Brigham Young families started packing their bags for the west coast. The intrigue comes in figuring what prompted the families to leave the state for California. Religious beliefs, family struggles, economics or dreams for a better life in the Golden State of California are some of the reasons born out in the documentary. Following two women determined to find their unknown roots the show takes on a detective feel as they search for answers. Discovery Road also reveals an amazing rock wall in the middle of Nevada built to honor the pioneers who struggled to reach their dreams in California. The two ladies experience the old west as it is today by panning for gold, visiting museums and traveling along the historic trails. The old west stagecoach makes an appearance in this show with a little known story about a driver who fooled nearly everyone. "The Unknown" offers the audience an entertaining and bouncy ride to the past and reveals just how much history is not known about most family stories.
The Unknown
Wednesday, September 25
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
The Discovery Road Show is bringing forward a unique view of 1860s era pioneers who came to Utah but did not stay with the release of "The Unknown". Around the time the U.S. Army nearly clashed with Brigham Young families started packing their bags for the west coast. The intrigue comes in figuring what prompted the families to leave the state for California. Religious beliefs, family struggles, economics or dreams for a better life in the Golden State of California are some of the reasons born out in the documentary. Following two women determined to find their unknown roots the show takes on a detective feel as they search for answers. Discovery Road also reveals an amazing rock wall in the middle of Nevada built to honor the pioneers who struggled to reach their dreams in California. The two ladies experience the old west as it is today by panning for gold, visiting museums and traveling along the historic trails. The old west stagecoach makes an appearance in this show with a little known story about a driver who fooled nearly everyone. "The Unknown" offers the audience an entertaining and bouncy ride to the past and reveals just how much history is not known about most family stories.
A Gift for the Road
Saturday, September 28
6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
In this episode of Discovery Road the importance of landscape and architecture is revealed through the lens of Civil War photography and a visit to the best examples of early Mormon settlements. The Discovery Road Show then brings a powerful story to viewers about endurance that played out long ago on the campus of what would become Southern Utah University. The determination of a town to educate its people and the role a work horse played is told in this fascinating segment. The program then tells the story of how the historic corridor in central Utah became a National Heritage Area and the man most responsible for making it happen. That man is the late Senator Bob Bennett. Bennett pushed forward key legislation that led to the creation of the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area (MPNHA). The MPNHA has worked for ten years to preserve and protect history, culture and heritage through its many programs and projects. The episode not only salutes Bennett for his work but offers insight to the late Senator’s intriguing family story of heritage.
A Gift for the Road
Wednesday, October 2
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
In this episode of Discovery Road the importance of landscape and architecture is revealed through the lens of Civil War photography and a visit to the best examples of early Mormon settlements. The Discovery Road Show then brings a powerful story to viewers about endurance that played out long ago on the campus of what would become Southern Utah University. The determination of a town to educate its people and the role a work horse played is told in this fascinating segment. The program then tells the story of how the historic corridor in central Utah became a National Heritage Area and the man most responsible for making it happen. That man is the late Senator Bob Bennett. Bennett pushed forward key legislation that led to the creation of the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area (MPNHA). The MPNHA has worked for ten years to preserve and protect history, culture and heritage through its many programs and projects. The episode not only salutes Bennett for his work but offers insight to the late Senator’s intriguing family story of heritage.

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Past Episodes:

Road Stops & Stop Signs

Saturday, August 17
6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
This episode of Discovery Road pays a visit to small town America with stops in Spring City, Duck Creek Village, and Alton, Utah. A taste of pie in Duck Creek, a tour of historic homes in Spring City and a real show stopper in Alton will give viewers insight to life off the main highway. The show offers a look at the longstanding sheep industry in the Sanpete Valley through the lens of a still photographer. Beautiful photos document the wool gathering process, workers and showcase the range sheep call home. The documentary also introduces us to an artist who paints on barn wood. The unique style has been applied to an amazing World War II story with an intriguing tie to September 11. The road travels include a visit to a small town library to check out a few yarns about the historic corridor along highway 89.
The Snow College Story

Wednesday, August 14
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
This episode of Discovery Road shows viewers how a small college in small town America can have a big impact on Utah and the world. Looking at history the college has an impressive story of how it all got started in Ephraim, Utah. The cramped, non-descript rooms where classes were first held and the modern, state-of-the-art facilities now on campus are visited in the show. The music department at Snow College hits all the right notes as it connects with the Julliard School of Music in New York. The documentary also reveals a World War II love story that has become a part of Snow College. The dedicated veterans, their hopes and dreams during wartime are featured. The show also chronicles early science programs and concludes with a glimpse at future campus opportunity.
The Snow College Story

Saturday, August 10
6:02 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
This episode of Discovery Road shows viewers how a small college in small town America can have a big impact on Utah and the world. Looking at history the college has an impressive story of how it all got started in Ephraim, Utah. The cramped, non-descript rooms where classes were first held and the modern, state-of-the-art facilities now on campus are visited in the show. The music department at Snow College hits all the right notes as it connects with the Julliard School of Music in New York. The documentary also reveals a World War II love story that has become a part of Snow College. The dedicated veterans, their hopes and dreams during wartime are featured. The show also chronicles early science programs and concludes with a glimpse at future campus opportunity.
Butch Cassidy, Wales & Outlaw Ways

Wednesday, August 7
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
This episode of Discovery Road introduces viewers to the connection between outlaw Butch Cassidy and a family in Wales that immigrated to Utah. The family in Wales learns about the western bandit and realizes they have an amazing connection to the American West. The documentary also visits with relatives of Butch Cassidy in Utah who maintain he died in the United States and not the way it is portrayed in the movies. The movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is discussed as it relates to family history. In addition scenes in the film featuring Grafton, Utah are explored as icons with powerful meaning for the movie and historic preservation. Also a small Utah town lifts the curtain on its treatment of the outlaw Butch Cassidy story.
Butch Cassidy, Wales & Outlaw Ways

Saturday, August 3
6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
This episode of Discovery Road introduces viewers to the connection between outlaw Butch Cassidy and a family in Wales that immigrated to Utah. The family in Wales learns about the western bandit and realizes they have an amazing connection to the American West. The documentary also visits with relatives of Butch Cassidy in Utah who maintain he died in the United States and not the way it is portrayed in the movies. The movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is discussed as it relates to family history. In addition scenes in the film featuring Grafton, Utah are explored as icons with powerful meaning for the movie and historic preservation. Also a small Utah town lifts the curtain on its treatment of the outlaw Butch Cassidy story.
Music Is The Reason

Wednesday, July 31
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
This episode of Discovery Road introduces viewers to the incredible musical heritage of Wales and how that connects to Utah. Going back several generations the viewer discovers how the tiny Sampete County, Utah town of Wales got its name and the family stories behind it! The musical segments in this show include a profile of the BYU Choral director and her Welsh roots and a surprising chapter with the singing Osmond family! Interviews in Wales with choir members, artifacts from a century ago, Welsh Days footage and historic photos tell the story of music and Wales.
Music Is The Reason

Saturday, July 27
6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
This episode of Discovery Road introduces viewers to the incredible musical heritage of Wales and how that connects to Utah. Going back several generations the viewer discovers how the tiny Sampete County, Utah town of Wales got its name and the family stories behind it! The musical segments in this show include a profile of the BYU Choral director and her Welsh roots and a surprising chapter with the singing Osmond family! Interviews in Wales with choir members, artifacts from a century ago, Welsh Days footage and historic photos tell the story of music and Wales.
Don't Let Them Be Forgotten

Wednesday, July 24
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
This episode of Discovery Road introduces viewers to the Blackham family as they unravel their own past in England. Leaving the cotton mill factories meant the Utah family had to find a new place to call home. In central Utah’s Sanpete Valley Discovery Road trains the camera lens on Blackham family reunions and gatherings. Going back several generations the family finds out how brutal work was in the cotton mill factories. The harsh history lesson gives this family story a powerful perspective. Interviews in England, artifacts from a century ago and historic photos tell the story of the Blackham family.
Don't Let Them Be Forgotten

Saturday, July 20
6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
This episode of Discovery Road introduces viewers to the Blackham family as they unravel their own past in England. Leaving the cotton mill factories meant the Utah family had to find a new place to call home. In central Utah’s Sanpete Valley Discovery Road trains the camera lens on Blackham family reunions and gatherings. Going back several generations the family finds out how brutal work was in the cotton mill factories. The harsh history lesson gives this family story a powerful perspective. Interviews in England, artifacts from a century ago and historic photos tell the story of the Blackham family.
The Dreams I Left Behind

Wednesday, July 17
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
This episode of Discovery Road takes the viewer across the Atlantic Ocean where A Utah family finds the roots of their own in England. Going back several generations the family finds where relatives split in England and what divided them. In an energetic family reunion in downtown Salt Lake City hundreds gather to connect with their past. Producers use music and historic perspective to bring this family story forward. History, culture and heritage give the viewer a peek into one family story that is touching and proud. Interviews in England, artifacts from a century ago and historic photos tell the story of the Graham family.
The Dreams I Left Behind

Saturday, July 13
6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
This episode of Discovery Road takes the viewer across the Atlantic Ocean where A Utah family finds the roots of their own in England. Going back several generations the family finds where relatives split in England and what divided them. In an energetic family reunion in downtown Salt Lake City hundreds gather to connect with their past. Producers use music and historic perspective to bring this family story forward. History, culture and heritage give the viewer a peek into one family story that is touching and proud. Interviews in England, artifacts from a century ago and historic photos tell the story of the Graham family.
Crossing Time

Wednesday, July 10
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
In this episode Discovery Road takes viewers across the historic Rockville Bridge in southern Utah to see efforts by residents to save the aging structure with open air art competition that took place around the nearby ghost town of Grafton, Utah. In 1866 Grafton was the county seat to Kane County but a year later boundaries changed that giving the honor to Rockville. Several intriguing stories are discovered in and around the unique bridge and Grafton including a German couples’ worldwide journey in an RV. There’s the bicyclist from Louisville, Kentucky who just had to see the 1924 bridge up close and the woman from France who saw it and wanted a photo of the bridge as a souvenir. The amazing story of the Zion Park Tunnel is then told using historic black and white photographs and film of the construction and 1930 dedication ceremony. Discovery Road then takes a ride through the portal that changed how people visit area national parks. The program concludes with a fascinating story about the first official tourists to visit Zion National Park. The tourists’ saga starts with a scrapbook discovered on ebay by a Manti, Utah woman and concludes with a book she and her husband wrote about six University of Utah girls who were selected to showcase the opening days of Zion National Park nearly a century ago.
Crossing Time

Saturday, July 6
6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
In this episode Discovery Road takes viewers across the historic Rockville Bridge in southern Utah to see efforts by residents to save the aging structure with open air art competition that took place around the nearby ghost town of Grafton, Utah. In 1866 Grafton was the county seat to Kane County but a year later boundaries changed that giving the honor to Rockville. Several intriguing stories are discovered in and around the unique bridge and Grafton including a German couples’ worldwide journey in an RV. There’s the bicyclist from Louisville, Kentucky who just had to see the 1924 bridge up close and the woman from France who saw it and wanted a photo of the bridge as a souvenir. The amazing story of the Zion Park Tunnel is then told using historic black and white photographs and film of the construction and 1930 dedication ceremony. Discovery Road then takes a ride through the portal that changed how people visit area national parks. The program concludes with a fascinating story about the first official tourists to visit Zion National Park. The tourists’ saga starts with a scrapbook discovered on ebay by a Manti, Utah woman and concludes with a book she and her husband wrote about six University of Utah girls who were selected to showcase the opening days of Zion National Park nearly a century ago.
Native Americans & Sacred Water

Wednesday, July 3
12:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
A fascinating "Discovery Road" episode about Native American views of water from a variety of perspectives in and around the state of Utah. The program opens in southern Utah with a visit to the Kaibab-Piute Indian Reservation and Pipe Spring National Monument. The story of the natural springs gives insight to ancient history and modern views of the valuable water here. The Hot Springs just outside of Monroe, Utah have long been a source of intrigue, belief and dreams about humanity. Historians say it was used by prehistoric Indians as a sacred watering place. There is evidence all around the Hot Springs that ancient tribes did live there. Pictographs and the hot springs are discussed by local residents and others. From a distance you can see the distinct yellow and gold colored soil and rocks where the water still trickles from the earth. Through interviews, Goshute and Navajo voices plus archival and research materials "Discovery Road" will bring the Native American point of view front and center. Also in the episode Native American artists show their work and talk about how water fits into their art creations.