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Monday April 24, 2017

Got up this morning with a plan.  We were going to visit Promontory Point where the railroads from each side of the country met and drove the "Golden Spike."  First stop at Ace Hardware for a small hook, which of course they didn't have.  Then off to the "Point."  Along the way which by the way was the most desolate countryside, we saw a large commercial facility in the distance.  Turns out it was a NASA plant where they manufacture and test rocket engines.  I can understand being out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by cattle ranches.  I wonder when they test those engines, how the cows react.  On this most desolate trek we got to smell lots of cow droppings.  At last we reached Promontory Point where there is a small museum with rangers.  Saw a short movie and then walked out to see the actual location of where the golden spike was driven.  Actually the original spike is at Stanford University.  Leland Stanford was one of the investors in the railroad and went on to found Stanford University.  We then proceeded to the roundhouse where they were prepping the replicas of the original steam engines.  The restorers were with the National Park Service and were preparing the engines for the upcoming tourist season.  There still is a rail line there, however, it is just for show as the original rails were pulled up for scrap value for WWII.

On the trip back to town we became surrounded by a herd of cattle being driven by real cowboys on horses.  Quite a sight.  The cowboys were the real deal.  Dressed just like you would see in the movies.  They were relocating the herd from a pasture about 5 miles away and hit the small patch of road that we occupied.  I got out and took some pictures and told the cowboys we don't often see something like this in Portland.  They had a laugh and offered us some cookies.  Seems that may be the food of choice for hardworking cowboys.

Then proceeded down 26 miles back to town and heading into a very wet rainstorm.  So we are ensconced in our trailer writing and listening to the rain.  This is our second day in Brigham City, to allow me to catch my breath.  Tomorrow we head for Moab on our trip to Santa Fe.

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