Reflections: 2011

12.20.2011

6.15.2011

This is what is known as The Spiral Jetty. It was constructed in 1970 on the northeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake by Robert Smithson. At the time that it was built, the water level was considerably low. After a few years the Jetty was covered and remained so for 30 years. It re-emerged in 2004 and was exposed for most of the year. In the past few years the water level has risen and submerged depending on the weather and the snow pack.

Photo by Wikipedia

A week or so ago Lois told me that the Jetty was about to disappear again and so we made plans to drive out to see it. Unfortunately the water level had already rose a great deal and the pictures I took didn't quite do it justice. I did get a couple of shots of what I can only presume to be old footings from some long forgotten piers and an old anchor of some sort.

The Piers

Old Anchor or just something round

6.12.2011

The Last Spike

   A little over a 142 years ago on May 10, 1869, Leland Stanford drove the last spike for the First Transcontinental Railroad, which joined the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific railroads at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory. It has been called "The Golden Spike" because it was made of gold. In addition, there were three other spikes that were driven into the tiles. One was made of silver, one was made of iron, silver and gold, and one of a lower quality of gold.
   Out here, two locomotives pulled up to face each other for the ceremony that honored the historic moment. The Central Pacific No. 60, also known as the "Jupiter," and Union Pacific No. 119 had brought in spectators from all around the country. It is believed that there may have been 500 to 3,000 people present. No one is certain of that number.
   We drove west of I-15 after passing Brigham City to see something called the Spiral Jetty and pulled up to the Golden Spike National Historic Site. It sits in the middle of nowhere about 25 miles off the Interstate. There is nothing but cows and horses running through green pastures because of all the rain we've had. You would think that there would be some sort of city out here, but there is nothing but desert terrain and miles of barren wilderness. I did not expect to see these two idling locomotives sitting on a track facing each other like two bulls in a field.

The Jupiter and Union Pacific No. 119

The Jupiter

Union Pacific No. 119

We drove on to see the Spiral Jetty which sits in the Great Salt Lake. I took several pictures of Lois and the girls but it has a story of its own that I will share tomorrow.