Vernal? Really? What do you do? I hope you're single because if you aren't, you will be soon. Vernal's a hole, but you do have Dinosaur and Flaming Gorge nearby, which are both very much worth seeing. (I spent the night in Vernal once before leaving on a rafting trip for the Gates of Lodore.) I hope you like nature because the civilization around there ain't much. Anytime you end up somewhere that shares a highway with Rangely and Meeker, you know it's going to be a bleak existence. Best bet is to spend some weekend time in Grand Junction or find a crew of river rats to hang out with. Good luck.
When you get tired of all the natural beauty, Vegas is only a few hours away. Just make sure you cleanse yourself of your sins before entering state lines.....I'm not sure they allow heathens to enter.
I've been to the Dinosaur National Monument. It was pretty cool. That had to have been at least 10 years ago.
Salt Lake is a beautiful city as well. 6 months will get you out right before the bad weather really comes in.
Great, now you can be one of the few Rockets fans in the crowd when bball season comes rolling back around. Then you can yell at the "Spazz Rowdies" on you unrowdy they really are and maybe suggest to them that it's better to be original then followers. But seriously when you go to you game you better rep! Spoiler
It's not going to be your favorite place to live but check out Squatter's wings, Polygamy Porter if you're into beer, and The Bayou. Oh yeah the Tavernacle is a cool bar if you're into piano bars. Bring a girl.