We survived our near death experience of high winds, rain, and cold. The next morning dawned sunny and with the help of our neighbor, and wire Chuck found along the fence (you can always find wire along a fence), the awning was wired up securely and ready to travel. Underway again, we were continually amazed that the cultivated fields were all over mountains, wondering again how the tractors can make it on the hillsides. On our way to Salt Lake City, we realized that we were close to Promontory, Utah, which is the place where the Continental Railroad was completed. Not only is this a well known place and event, but we have read a book by Steven Ambrose about this entitled 'Nothing Like it in the World'. It describes how the surveyors were 100 miles out, followed by the graders who prepared the grade, filling low places and building trestles over those too deep to fill. Great read. To review history, after the Civil War, the building of the intercontinental railroad was begun. The Union Pacific began work at Omaha, Nebraska going west, and the Central Pacific started at Sacramento, California working eastward. They met at Promontory, Utah. At the meeting, a golden spike was the final one driven to complete the railroad, and the event was telegraphed to both coasts, triggering celebrations across the country. This is the place. The locomotive Juniper from the Central Pacific and the #119 from the Union Pacific met here on May 10, 1869. The above photo shows exact replicas of those locomotives, and are fully operational. The Juniper burns wood and the 119 burns coal. They both backed up and came down the track with the steam whistle blowing and bell ringing. Quite a treat. Notice there is nothing here but the Visitor Center. There was nothing here when the track was completed. Sometime later a monument was placed and remained the only marker of the spot for some time. Nearby are remnants of the old railbed. Here is a 'cut' through a hill. In the photo below, the railbed can be seen and where it extends through a 'cut' to the right. Notice the horizontal lines on the hillside. More about them later. This is Chinese Arch. Naturally formed, but dedicated to the contribution of Chinese laborers on the construction of the railroad. Leaving the area, we skirted the Wasatch Mountains. Again, notice some horizontal lines on the side of the mountain. Years ago this area was covered with water and was known as Lake Bonneville, which at that time was about the size of Lake Michigan. The horizontal lines represent the levels of the 'lake' as it fluctuated. About 11,000 years ago, a natural dam gave way, releasing a great flood of water. This formed the gorge at Twin Falls already mentioned. The great Salt Lake and the Bonneville Salt Flats speedway are all that remains of Lake Bonneville. We continued on and made it to Layton just north of Salt Lake City for the night, getting ready for the big city the next day. Stay Tuned.
0 Comments
|
Who Are We?
Chuck and Mary Lou have been traveling in their RV since 2002 and have lately been taking longer, extended trips. This is our way to share our experiences. Trip Reports
All
|