Smith and Morehouse Reservoir

Another road trip to take in the scenic beauty of northern Utah. After stopping to take a picture of the "Devil's Slide" just off the interstate, our destination was the Smith and Morehouse Reservoir and Campground,a favorite and frequent Utah camping destination of Eva and her late husband Owen. They had taken my parents there in the past and were lucky to see a momma bear and cubs on that trip. There had been recent bear and moose sightings in/near the campground, but we didn't luck out - we were there in midday, which is not the optimum time for spotting wildlife. It is a gorgeous area and we enjoyed driving, and hiking around the campgrounds. We had a unique lunch experience at the Road Island Diner. The diner was pulled from Rhode Island in 2007 and placed in Oakley, UT. It is meticulous - specially constructed and completed in 1939, it was displayed at the World's Fair. Featuring Italian marble countertops, tile floors, and many other very handsome architectural details. The only additions to the original diner are air conditioning, jukebox units at each table, and the flat screen televisions. And the food was quite good to boot! Eva knows the right places to show us and we are having a hard time keeping up with her!

Trout Park

Eva's friend Barry met us at a trout park here in Ogden to fly-fish a pond for large trout. Many large rainbows in this pond - as well as ducks. Caught my first duck on a fly rod! - she swam across my line and hooked her foot, I immediately broke her off so the barbless hook would dislodge soon and she wouldn't be harmed. Also caught many nice rainbows on dry flies, including the largest fish I've ever caught. The picture doesn't really show how big and we didn't measure because we needed to get it back in the water - but it was big and fat. Barney and Parker were nice enough to come join us and Barney netted several of the fish for me and Barry. He's liable to get the "bug". Very nice sunset over the Great Salt Lake as we returned to Eva's.

Golden Spike National Historic Monument at Promontory Summit

May 10, 1869, a ceremonial gold spike was tapped to complete the first transcontinental railroad in the world, setting off celebrations across the US and the world. The Central Pacific Railroad working from Sacramento and the Union Pacific working from Omaha completed what was considered an impossible project in opening up the west to trade and travel and economic development. The two locomotives pictured were re-recreated to original specifications for the National Historic site. At specified times of the day, they roll out, one at a time, to face each other at the original site. The Jupiter is a steam engine fueled by wood, and the No. 119 is fueled by coal. And yes, they are painted to represent the original colors. Very informative and interesting. With Barney and Della as tour guides, we then traveled into Idaho to Malad City for lunch and back to Ogden on a scenic route that included several stops. One was a humorous lane that featured dozens of old cowboy boots topping fence posts. Also stopped at a farm operated by friends of Barney and Della, which has several hundred acres and dairy cows. Also enjoyed a visit to a cheese factory store and loaded up on some very inexpensive, delicious products. We didn't realize that this area was such an incredible agricultural resource. Last stop was at Willard Bay Gardens, the wonderful nursery/landscaping business owned by Barney and Della. They have a great view of Willard Peak in back and a great sunset view over Willard Bay in front - Willard Bay is a fresh water lake that is separated from the Great Salt Lake by a system of dikes.