This is the Place!

David writes....

We are here!  Katy and I are now residing in Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, though I hear the name has been "modernized" a bit recently.  We left St. Louis at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, after the movers from North American Van Lines completed loading the truck.  We drove to Lincoln, Nebraska, arriving at 10:30, after a short stop for dinner somewhere in Missouri.  

On Wednesday, as we drove west along I-80, we stopped in North Platte, Nebraska and visited the Golden Spike Tower & Visitor Center.  Located adjacent to Union Pacific's Bailey Yard, the tower affords a wonderful view of the yard.  A small admission fee is charged, after which, you ascend in an elevator to either the open-air viewing area on the 7th floor, or the enclosed (and climate controlled) viewing platform on the 8th floor.  A retired UP employee served as a volunteer docent on the top floor to answer questions.  

After a brief lunch in North Platte, we headed continued our westward journey.  At this point, the UP mainline, part of the original Transcontinental Railroad often runs close to the interstate, providing many interesting train watching opportunities.  

In Cheyenne, we made a quick lap through town and parked the car and stretched our feet at the Cheyenne Depot.  After filling up the car, we headed west, arriving in Green River, Wyoming at 9pm that evening, covering an impressive 719 miles.  Wyoming after Cheyenne might as well be the surface of the moon.  Having never driving through this portion of the country, I never realized how desolate it is.  We did see some amazing scenery, including being able to watch two UP trains pass each other just west of Rawlins, Wyoming.

Thursday, we loaded up early for the short drive in to Salt Lake City, through Echo Canyon and down into the Salt Lake Valley.  We have spent the past several days cleaning the house, getting some things we needed, like a washer and dryer, and other tasks.  We have lots to do this week, including finding me a job, unpacking and awaiting our stuff to arrive from St. Louis.  Maybe I'll have lunch at Ruth's Diner tomorrow after I go to get the car re-titled and my Utah driver's license.  

I have more photos on my other camera I'll be posting later on.