June 4 ~ Promontory Point, Spiral Jetty, ATK Rocket Garden

I have been so busy lately with finishing up my coursework and preparing for and taking my comprehensive exams, that I have completely neglected my “fun mom” duties! Ryan’s last day of school was Friday, June 3, so I decided to start our summer with a bang on Saturday, June 4!

We drove to Promontory Point/Golden Spike National Historic Site and enjoyed the wonderful reenactment ceremony of the driving of the final spike in the transcontinental railroad. Apparently they only used to do it on May 10, the anniversary of the driving of the final spike, but it became so popular that they do it every Saturday during the summer.











We had packed a picnic lunch, and enjoyed it on the tables outside. I had read on the website that there were several movies available to watch in two different theaters. One was “This is America Charlie Brown: The Building of the Transcontinental Railroad.” We asked when it would play, and they said they could put it in upon request. So we requested it. :) At first, we were the only people in the theater, but as other families realized what we were watching, some came in. Within a few minutes the theater was full. Ryan was pretty excited that we were the ones that requested such a popular film!

I had read about the Spiral Jetty, and knew that it wasn’t far from Promontory Point. We asked about it at the Golden Spike visitor’s center, and the ranger told us that it was well worth the drive. The drive is on dirt roads, somewhat wash-board-ish, about 30 minutes west. I had also read online that the Spiral Jetty was best viewed when the water level in the Great Salt Lake was lower than 4195 feet. I checked the GSL website, and as of Saturday morning, the water level was 4196 feet. We decided to go ahead and make the drive and try it. It definitely wasn’t as stunning as the pictures I’ve seen, since the water had come into the center of the spiral. But we were glad that we made the drive. We even hiked down the basalt rocks and enjoyed a closer look.





A friend of mine had told me about the ATK Rocket Garden, just a few miles off the Promontory Point road. We also decided to take that side trip. It was amazing! We were able to see a Minuteman Missile, a Patriot Missile, and a solid rocket booster from the space shuttles!




It was the first really warm day so far this spring (it’s been a cold spring), and we were pretty hot and parched from hiking around the various places. We drove into Brigham City and enjoyed sundaes (buy 1 get 1 free from the Entertainment coupon book) at the Peach City Diner.

I have to include the best quote of the day. I can't remember what Ryan and I were discussing, but I said, "You're probably right." He said, "I'm not 'probably right,' I AM right!" He cracks me up.

What a fun day we had!