North to Salt Lake

Monday, April 4

Like yesterday, our intention for today was to drive through Arches NP before heading north. However, we decided perhaps touring the great Utah red rock country should be done on another trip, God willing. There's just too much to see to do it justice. And, he voted for getting an early start and getting in early. He'd hunted the internet for good camp spots and located Antelope State Park outside of Salt Lake City and Ogden on an island at the south end of Salt Lake. So, pedal to the metal, that's where we're heading as I write. A phone call didn't indicate that the park is open for camping, but the website did. It's only 2:30pm MDT, so we still have time to find another spot if this one doesn't pan out.

It did, it panned out! And we're driving out to the island, seeing lots and lots of shore birds on the way. Another birders heaven.

This island is 13 miles long, one of several islands in the Great Salt Lake, and although surrounded by salt water too saline to sustain fish life, the island has more than 40 fresh water springs on it. Home to Native American and wild life for at least 1,000 years, it was more recently home to the Fielding Garr Ranch. Now the ranch, no longer working, is open to visitors during daylight hours and harbors the largest spring which provides much needed fresh water to island wildlife. Bison were introduced to the island at one point, and a herd of 500-700 animals is sustained and managed. Antelopes, too, call the island home.

Antelope Island State Park has a trail system for hikers and bikers, a picnic area, visitor's center, and campgrounds. There are not utilities for campers and only pit toilets (modern). Gates close one hour after dusk and open at 9:00am, so campers are unable to leave the island overnight, except I imagine in case of emergencies.

We couldn't get over the amazing light on this particular day and in the morning. It was as awe-inspiring as the light in Skagen, the beach at the north-eastern most point of Denmark that we visited in 2007. It truly was hard to pull ourselves away. We could blink and the light changed. This grassy island, surrounded by high-salinity lake water, was encompassed beyond its shores by the Wasatch Mountains to the east and snowy peaks to the north and south. Light breaking through the clouds at different times of day cast a magical glint on the snow capped peaks and a calm, peaceful light on the water, and Bridger Bay where we camped. This is a place we must surely revisit.

Until next time,

Pam