We were in no hurry coming home from the Tobler Family Reunion. As we exited Sardine Canyon into Brigham City, we saw a sign that read "Golden Spike National Historical Site." After a little internet research on Bradley's iPhone, Bradley and I looked at each other and said, "Why not?" We aren't that far north on a regular basis, and Promontory Summit is a really important historical site--it is where the Transcontinental Railroad became transcontinental. So why not indeed?It was a highly enjoyable adventure. After driving through the marshlands north of the Great Salt Lake for about 50 minutes (and stopping briefly in the town of Corrine, named after me (not really)), we came to the National Historical Site. There is a nice little building with some dioramas and a gift shop (and bathrooms!), but the real fun is outside.
Although the two actual locomotives that met on May 10, 1869 were scrapped in the early 1900s, two full-scale replicas sit on (re-created) track just outside the visitor center. Every couple of hours, they move the steam locomotives around in a little demostration; on Saturdays in the summer they even have a little "Golden Spike" ceremony, complete with costumed actors. (We missed this event by several hours.) When the trains aren't moving around, you can get up close and personal with them via some observation decks. (There are no train rides, however, because this is a historical site, and passenger rides aren't historical.)
Interestingly enough, this was a stop my youngest two adored the most. Zee was "too hot" (although he perked right up when I let him take pictures with the "big camera"), and Em was only vaguely interested in the trains. But Gee and Hebs were enthralled. Hebs kept making the "choo-choo" noise, and Gee couldn't get enough of those giant locomotives.
Although we only spent about 90 minutes at the actual site, it was well worth the detour. Bradley spent several years of his childhood in Northern Utah, and as a family we've lived here for almost a decade. I'm glad we finally got around to seeing the actual spot where the nation was linked together.
I can't let Caleb see this post or he will beg me nonstop to go again. We went when he was 3 and still, 4 years later, talks about it frequently!
ReplyDeleteWe totally want to go again, in a couple of years when everyone is older. The little hike and the auto tours looked fun, but not practical with the summer heat and a third-trimester-momma.
ReplyDeleteGee watches the video we took of the train actually moving at least three times a day. He is enthralled.