#344 Union

Uniting the east and west coasts by rail - 1869.

Interesting facts regarding the Golden Spike National Historic Site:

• The original golden spike is housed in the Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University. 
• The locomotives make for quite a show but only in warmer months.
• The dark areas on the rails below show where they stop. My sister is standing on the rail where the golden spike would be (see above).
• The railroad ties in the foreground are smooth because they were made in a California factory owned by Leland Stanford. The railroad ties behind my sister are hand-hewned and look rougher.
• This segment of the railroad was very expensive to maintain (high altitude, snow) so a southern route across the Salt Lake from Ogden was built.
• During WW II, the rails were confiscated for the war effort. This stretch through the monument is no longer used except for the summer demonstrations.

#51 City or Town

Announcing the entrance to the Golden Spike National Historic Site, this also

used to be the bustling town of Promontory Point, Utah while the transcontinental railroad

was being finished. Now a beautiful, but lonely visitor center invites us to remember 

when the coasts were connected by rail.

#343 Unforgettable

Even with a bit of saturation, the colors are still not as vivid as in person. The view from the Red Canyon Visitor's Center on the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area took my breath away. Even after all the colorful Colorado mountain vistas, this was unforgettable.

The canyon is 1,700 feet deep. The Green River reservoir fills about 250 of it. The red tone in the foreground fills the canyon walls although they look blue/purple in the photo.

I had expected the Flaming Gorge to be similar to Lake Mead and Lake Powell. How wrong I was! I'm sure it's hot on some days but this overcast, sprinkle-y day in August was gorgeous AND there is a lot more vegetation than at the Arizona reservoirs. Where is my houseboat when I need it! We followed the highway north to the beginning of the reservoir which is much flatter and located in Wyoming. Headed home!

#338 Tri-Colors

Forget the green desert foliage in the foreground. See the red, white, and blue? I felt so clever. Interstate 15 through the Utah desert is a lovely drive - prettier than some other deserts. This was taken near St. George.

I knew there would be another "Three" submission.