Our destination today was Salt Lake City, Utah.We didn’t get started as early as we had hoped, although we were on the road by 9:00 a.m. We knew we’d be losing an hour of time once we crossed into Utah, so we had wanted to start an hour earlier if possible. Because of this, we didn’t get into Salt Lake City until rush hour, which made for a hairy arrival at the Cottontree Inn.
The major attraction today was the Bonneville Salt Flats and the Great Salt Lake. We passed them coming east on I-80. Once we crossed the Nevada/Utah border, the Bonneville Salt Flats began in earnest. The Salt Flats occupies an area of about 160 square miles, and the salt has been measured up to six feet deep in many places. This stretch of I-80 through the Salt Flats has to be the longest stretch of flat and straight highway in the United States (maybe even the world). I’m not joking when I say that for over 40 miles the highway did not waver one iota left, right, up, or down. No altitude gains or drops, save for the actual curvature of the Earth. This is true. It is so flat across the white salt sand that you can see the curvature of the Earth, which presents an optical illusion – the mountains in the distance seem to float in thin air. For the first ten or so miles, we were also following alongside the Bonneville Speedway, where most land speed records have been set (and many movies have filed there, too, including parts of Independence Day and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End). I wish my photos did justice to this amazing natural feature.
I was not able to get a photo of the Great Salt Lake, as by that point traffic was heavy and I could not stop.
Beyond the Salt Flats, we stopped at an interesting Rest Area. It seemed to be commemorating the Cedar Mountains Wild Horse Range, which was really a way to recognize that the Donner-Reed Party had passed this point prior to their demise in the High Sierras (see album photo). There were some nice views from this Rest Area, though.
Tomorrow, we hope to see some of Salt Lake City. I’ll keep you posted.
363.1 miles today. 4,395.8 total miles.
3 comments:
Your descriptions and photos continue to be incredible. I am enjoying every detail of your trip. I can hardly wait each morning to read the most recent entry.
Kay Jones
Thanks for your phone call last night. It meant so much. Have a great day off in SLC. Love Mom
Chris, I have read your blog since Sunday. Man this is a great trip. I am proud for you and your Dad to have this opportunity. I appreciate your photo's also. Be careful.
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