Oct 10 - Promontory Point and Antelope Island

I have company!! My Dad and uncle arrived on Tuesday. After a rest day, it's time to show them some of UT (and anything with trains/planes/automobiles).

I decided to head north to Promontory Point (a little west of Brigham City); that's where the Golden Spike was struck completing the 1st intercontinental railroad for the US. (My Dad had me here a long time ago (I don't remember), so now it time for me to take him back.)

The place is out in the middle of no where. Lots of wetlands and a Jet Propulsion plant are the neighbors. When we got there the brightly colored Jupiter locomotive (the Central Pacific -- RR from the west) was already brought out. Its a replica (as is the No 119 from the east (Union Pacific)). The Jupiter has a bright blue cow catcher and bright red wheels.

We had good timing as the No 119 was arriving in less than 10 minutes.

The No 119 chugged out, brew its whistle many times before taking its historic spot.

After walking through the museum, we head to the rocket "graveyard" (Morton Thiokol Rocket Display) a couple of miles west of the Promontory Point turn-off. There are many old rockets on display. All manufactured here including the solid rocket boosters for the NASA Space Shuttle. Pretty interesting.

Time to head home. But since we passed Antelope Island on the way north, we have to stop on our way south. I honestly wasn't expecting much -- it was 2pm but its always worth shot.

Headed down the east side of the island towards the ranch. Didn't see much until we ran into one big herd of bison along the road. I think my Dad and uncle enjoyed hearing them grunt/snort/breathe and chew. A little further down the road was another huge herd and another. I think every bison on the island was along the road this afternoon. (Pretty exciting because last year when they were here, we only saw 4-5 bison -- this time, they got the jackpot!)

In one herd, we saw a single pronghorn and he had pretty large antlers. (Must be an older male.)

A bit further down the road, a coyote was eating a catch right next to the northbound side of the road. I could only see his body and head, his legs were hidden by the road. (My first coyote in months!)

We turned around at the ranch and headed back past all the bison. The coyote was gone. But the pronghorn was still there  but this time we saw 4 other pronghorn. This maybe be his small harem for the Fall/Winter.

Pretty cool day!