Tuesday, June 11 Leaving Salt Lake City at 8:00, we headed north on I-15 and jogged over to the Golden Spike National Historic Site at Promontory, Utah. We had thoroughly enjoyed listening to the “Iron Rails, Iron Men” audio book about the great race of the transcontinental railroad and following the Union Pacific tracks across the plains. Now we would be able to see where the Union Pacific met up with the Central Pacific and the famous golden spike was buried in tribute. We were here 150 years, 1 month, and 1 day after the great event! Talk about 20 miles from nowhere . . . that is where Promontory Summit was! And yet, it is one of the best historical sites we have ever seen. The Transcontinental Railroad used to run right through that desolate 20 miles, but in 1904 the tracks were abandoned when a new spur was constructed. Later 2 miles of tracks were laid at the location of the Visitor Center to allow reenactment of the golden spike moment. Two engines, the Union Pacific 119 and the Central Pacific Jupiter, were built in identical detail to the original engines at the meet-up. The gold colored portions of both trains are coated in gold leaf – NOT just gold paint! The Jupiter was a passenger train and looked like a circus train . . . the 119 was a freight train painted in beautiful Victorian style. This is a painting of the event showing the engines in 1869. The reenactment began with the Jupiter chugging backwards down the tracks and getting into position right beside the golden stake plaque. Then engine 119 rolled down the track and pulled up nose-to-nose to the Jupiter. As soon as both trains were stopped and secured we were allowed to walk up close and around for a good look. The whole event was narrated over loudspeaker by a Park Ranger. On the road again, we had a just 80 miles to cover to reach our Lava Hot Springs destination. Visions of soaking in a hot springs spurred us down the road. Tom remembers this location from when he was a kid, and he has always vowed to return. We’ll see if it lives up to his expectations. First we checked in at Mary’s Campground, less than a mile from the Hot Springs offerings. It is a small campground right along a river, less than 1 mile from the Hot Springs venue. It advertises “all grass and shade” – and it lives up to that motto. Aside from that it is very safe, as it is run by the local Sherriff’s Association as a money-maker for their retirement offerings. Lava Hot Springs is in Idaho – 100 miles from Jackson Hole and 144 from Yellowstone. It is open year-round and is made up of an indoor/outdoor swimming-pool-like facility and another outdoor complex of 5 different pools at 5 different temperatures – 102-112 degrees! Bubbling up from an ancient volcano, 2 ½ million gallons of natural hot spring water swirls through the pools every day. No chlorine, no sulphur and no odor! (Also -- no pictures of us in our swim-suits!) We liked this place so much . . . we're staying an extra night! I anticipate several mineral baths tomorrow!
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October 2021
We don’t go camping any more . . . we go ‘streamin’ ! The “SIlvermine and His” is our 2018 25' Airstream Serenity with Salsa interior and front twin beds., and ‘streamin’ is the name we use to describe our adventures. Stream along as we document everything from weekend trips to longer summer excursions and full-blown vacations. You know what they say: if you’re not in an Airstream – you’re just camping!
Tom & Ella Brown |