This is My Utah: Great Salt Lake

Summer of Salt: An Exploration of Great Salt Lake
A Blog about Two Friends, One Lake, and a Summer of Salt.
Written by: Nicole Anderson

Antelope Island by R Jefre Hicks

If you have ever thought of Great Salt Lake as a dead sea, then this article is for you. Or, perhaps you know that the Lake is a haven for wildlife with millions of birds from all over the world stopping here to rest and dine on brine shrimp and brine flies, or raise their young before they migrate to warmer climates. The Lake is not just for the birds, bugs and brine shrimp, however.  It is an invaluable resource for people, too.

Birds in Bear River Bay

The Sun Tunnels 

The Team on Fremont Island

We are especially glad to have our support team:

•   Photographer Charles Uibel, proprietor of My Great Salt Lake, His beautiful pictures and technical expertise are proving invaluable on this journey.
•  And our dear friends Cindy Lund and Sarah Middleton who have offered to drive when they can, pack lunches and always be honest about our writing.

We want people to fall in love with the Lake as we have. Our goal is to educate the public and to dispel many of the negative myths that come to mind when thinking of Great Salt Lake.  It brings forth beauty, recreation, economic prosperity, and is rich in history; it contributes to the “Greatest Snow on Earth,” and is home to 5 to 8 million aquatic birds.  Great Salt Lake is one of the most magical places in the state of Utah.

Foam blowing across the Lake

Misconceptions of a stinky place full of bugs have led to the rocky collision between man and nature. Yet, even still, with its bad reputation among many, its shorelines and saline flats welcome all who go there. Whether you seek solitude or adventure, a livelihood or an escape - the Lake has provided for the people on her shores for thousands of years - and is at your fingertips in our own backyard!

Join us as we explore both the nature and people of Great Salt Lake.

 Find us on Facebook at: Great Salt Lake 

Contact Nicole Anderson by e-mail nma9999@xmission.com 

Heidi Nedreberg at heidi.nedreberg@gmail.com

 Charles Uibel at cuibel@gmail.com

 or follow our adventures on Twitter @nedr3547.

Organizations listed or linked are for identification purposes only and no endorsement or other involvement by the organization is implied.

The "Salt Sisters" out at the Lake

All photos are property of My Great Salt Lake Photos and Charles Uibel 

as well as © by  mygreatsaltlake.com/summerofsalt  with permission to use them

 as part of this feature article for “This is My Utah.”

Want to share your story in an upcoming "This Is My Utah"? 

More information by clicking "Share Your Story" at the top of the page..

Days of '47 Parade

 I love summer holidays!  I especially love living in Utah where we get two major July holidays.  Here is a recap of a state holiday gone by to get you excited about my favorite Pioneer Day activity...

The Days of '47 Parade

Utah communities are no stranger to a summertime parade; you could be sitting curb-side catching candy nearly every weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Even if you're feeling parade burn-out, I want to convince you not to miss this particular statehood celebration.

Utah's history and founding has deep religious undertones that nobody can deny.  Settled by Mormon Saints fleeing the persecution of their fellow American citizens, Utah's first mass of citizens were deeply religious.  And that is what makes this parade so great!  Not that you have to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to attend or enjoy, but that anyone who believes in religious freedom and free speech can participate in a public gathering while wearing religion on their sleeves. 

These are the reasons I LOVE the Days of '47 Parade:

• A member of The First Presidency of the LDS Church is one of the first sites riding though the parade 
• A parade theme which the majority of floats adhere to.
• The floats are large and technical and uber-creative.
• The Polynesian Marching Bands make you want to dance even after 14 very hot city blocks

I will be forthcoming and tell you there is one downside to the Days of '47 Parade.  At least in the past, this has been a candy-free parade.  Not a big problem, though.  Pack your pockets and randomly toss a piece out into the crowd.  It'll be your own little parade side-show!

Go to the Days of '47 Parade. 

 Have a fantastic Pioneer Day!

Directions and Information:

The parade starting in downtown Salt Lake City at 9AM. 

 It will be televised on KSL 5 (but come on, that's no fun!). 

 Parade Route Map here.

Fun Pre-parade activity: The Days of '47 Parade Float Preview Party 

Cove Fort

Every once in awhile it's nice to take a little drive.  You can stay close to home and enjoyed the beauty of your surroundings or you can hop on the interstate and head out..  I did that recently...2 hours south, in fact, until I pulled in at the historic attraction of...

Cove Fort

Cove Fort was commissioned to be built by the Governor of the Utah Territory, Brigham Young, in 1867.  At the time a stagecoach ride from Salt Lake City to St. George was at least a two-day ride and he recognized the need traveler's would have to eat, wash, and rest along the way.  In the heart of Kanosh Indian country, the enclosed fort-style building could have protected residents and travelers if the need should arise...the need never did arise...

Any fan of history will love and appreciate the restoration work at Cove Fort.  Each room is filled with period-authentic furniture and decor.  My favorites were 3-gallon porcelain bowls in the kitchen and a leather top-hat box in the room where Brigham Young stayed.  I also had fun showing my 4-year-old the chamber pot.  I could never mimic the look on his face when our tour guide told him his job would be to empty and clean it everyday.

A lot of improvements have been made to the Cove Fort property since I last visited 10 years ago.  The parking lot sits east of a beautiful shaded lawn and picnic area.  Right now there is an impressive vegetable garden growing around two walls of the fort and a blacksmith shop, ice house, and barn are also open for touring.

Do I want you to go and see what's to see at the Cove Fort Historical Site?  Definitely.  Do I recommend driving there, touring, and coming back all in the same day?  Probably not if you're coming from farther than Beaver or Fillmore.  But the next time you're on your way to or from St. George, plan a stop to rest, wash, and eat while taking in a part of Utah history.

Directions and Information: 

Take I-15 Exit 135, turn east to cross back over the interstate, and follow signs 1.5 miles to the Cove Fort site.  Parking lot and restrooms will be on the left when you arrive. 

Free tours at Cove Fort are provided by senior missionaries for the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and last about 45 minutes.  Be prepared for them to greet you right at your car and then enjoy the vast historical stories and knowledge they are eager to share.  

More information available on the Cove Fort Historic Site Visitor Guide.

Bikes and Pastries? Where Do I Sign?

If you've ever dreamed of being part of a sugar-induced athletic spectacle on a beautiful Saturday morning, I have a can't-miss event for you!

Each summer, the American Fork Rotary Club hosts their sweet version of a bicycle race. The normal part?  A 7-mile race course completed three times for a total of 21-miles ridden.  The delicious part?  All-you-can-eat donuts during and after the race.  Mesh them together and what do you get?

What makes this race a must-see is the way the above listed parts are mashed together.  After each7-mile lap, riders pull-over for a speedy donut binge.  Every donut stuffed down the gullet brings the reward of three minutes riding time subtracted off the clock.  The first go-round is simple enough; smiles and joking all around.   It's the second helping where the real competition begins.  A lot of riders take it all in stride, finish a pastry or two and continue on their way.  The die-hards are another story.

Imagine every disgusting detail you've ever heard about competitive eating and then picture it with sweaty athletes on a 100-degree day.  Smashing multiple donuts together flat like a pancake makes it easier to eat several in a short time.  Soak them in water and they slide through the digestive organs smoothly.  And of course each rider has an individual theory on pacing for maximum eating.  

The race is fun for spectators and riders alike.  After mastering the stomach or dodging the offerings of those who couldn't, crossing the finish line is a great celebration.  The first year my husband participated,  winner was the last to finish, but gained 78 minutes after somehow ingesting 26 donuts (notice I didn't say "after keeping down 26 donuts.  He gave everyone an unwanted gift by depositing them all on the concrete just after crossing the finish line).

It's fun.  It's completely disgusting.  It's a guaranteed great story to tell your friends.  Why not sign up to do something a little crazy every now and then?

Directions and Information:

This event is a fundraising event for the American Fork Rotary.  Past year's funds have benefited the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Kona Biketown Africa, World Bicycle Relief, and other Rotary causes.

Want to find out more?  Visit the official Utah Tour de Donut website for photos, this year's race information, and more.

Great Way For a Bike Ride

Directions and Information: 
The Provo River Parkway can be accessed from many locations throughout Orem and Provo.  Easy places to begin are northeast of the entrance to Utah Lake State Park or from any park within the first 5 miles of Provo Canyon.  Several areas towards the southern end of the trail are currently closed for high water or detoured for construction, adding to the adventure...

For more information, visit http://www.utahcountyonline.org/parks/ParkDetails.asp?IDNO=5.

Catching Up Monday

I don't know about you, but in my house Monday's are a major "catch up" day. By the time we fall into bed on Sunday night it looks like a tornado tore through. Summertime triples the damage.  In light of this, you will notice that my Monday posts are either very short or lovingly pawned off to another willing Utah-loving writer.  One small step towards protecting my sanity.

A few weeks ago I received some delightful praise, in the form of a blog award, from Jennifer at  A Book, A Girl, A Journey (a fabulous Utah blogger who's working towards publishing her first book). 
Today let me publicly thank her, encourage you to check out what she's writing, and then pass along the sweetness to two people recently inspiring me..
Always positive and written with poetic style that I don't possess. 

 She makes me smile.

She sponsors the "Show Us Your Town" blog hop,

 which is, of course, right up my alley!

It's going to be a good week, and I think I'll be biking...

Utah's Most Well-Guarded Secret?

There is a hill above a sod farm in Northern Utah.  Running down this hill are two rows of plastic.  Running down both plastics is a trickle of water.  Put it all together and what do you get?  The most unpretentious "water park" you're ever going to love.

So what is it, really?  I'm having a hard time saying.  The best I can come up with is a home-grown slip 'n slide on gigantic proportions and kind of/sort of known as the Wellsville Water Slide or Little Bear River Bottoms.  I got to experience it several year's ago during a family reunion.  Finding any information on the place since then has turned into the deepest research project I've completed since finishing college.  I had to beg family to dig through their photo archives, but the hard work was worth it.  It's a well-kept secret that I want everyone to know about!

Described simply, there are two plastic sheets that function as water slides down the side of a hill above a sod farm in Wellsville, Utah.  One slide (pictured above) requires a leap of faith on the top and then rolls on for eternity.  The other slide is smaller, the "kid" slide, if you will, but pocked with it's own precarious level of adventure.  Across the field and hidden in the trees there is also a Tarzan-style rope swing to further tempt the daring.  That's pretty much it for the entire facility.

And yet, that's all it needs to be!  Available only by reservation, you don't have to worry about long lines or what the little ones in line were doing before you got there. Go with low expectations, know that it'll take a few apprehensive runs before it all feels safe or comfortable, and then get lost in the fun as adrenaline takes over.  By the end of the day your most adventurous inner-self will thank you for setting it free!

Directions and Information:
Like I said, this is one exclusive place!  At least in that information about it is nearly impossible to find.
The official directions are:

"½ mile south of the Wellsville Burger King on Highway 89/91- east side"

 The facility is available for groups by reservation only.  Call 435-770-5226 for more information.

Have a friend that would like this kind of crazy?
Be sure to share this post with them!

Other Photo Sources: Alma Hiatt, Jeanette Hiatt

Fun for Kids, Relaxing for Mom: Highland Town Center Splash Pad

My husband recently told me he thought the Seven Peaks water park would be a relaxing place for me to take our 4-year-old and 15-month-old children.  They could play, I could read, all would be well.  He's insane.  At their ages Seven Peaks is fun, but definitely not relaxing.  The example of peaceful water play that I need to show him is in a different part of Utah County.

What makes this place so great (aside from being FREE)?  Let me tell you...

The Splash Pad itself

Pretty standard as far as shooting water features are concerned, but kids love it! My son actually stays pretty dry playing there as he runs from the place he just saw a spout of water appear and disappear.  He's always one squirt behind as he follows the sequence of sprays around in a circle. For mom, watching him not quite "get it" makes for endless laughter.

The Waterfall and Stream

What sets this splash pad apart from others I've been to is the addition of a rock waterfall and stream.  The design is beautiful with a small bridge for viewing the waterfall and to separate the waterfall from the play area.  

The shallow water flow in the stream flows around a splay of rocks and bubbling water sprays.  The gentle slope into the stream makes it easy for even the smallest kids to get in and climb around. It also makes it easy for mom to sit on the side comfortably but with no apprehension about keeping kids within arm's reach.

The Park

The area around the splash pad is an open grass park.  There are concrete benches built into the hillside and a few shade trees for the lucky early risers.  There is plenty of space to set up your sun umbrella or small canopy for protection from the hot Utah sun, plenty of space for kids to run around and dry off when they need a break from the water, and plenty of spots for mom to sit back and do her own thing (while keeping an eye on the kids out of the corner of her eye, of course).

Go here-you deserve the break. 

 Your kids will love you for it. 

 I see absolutely no losers in this equation!

Directions and Information:

Highland, Utah is located in the NE corner of Utah county.  From I-15 take Exit 284 and drive East.  The Town Center Splash Pad is located north of City Hall at 5400 W Civic Center Drive.  Basically, it's behind the Wendy's, which is on the main road through town.  Stop by anytime between 10AM and 8PM. One note: The splash pad closes from 3-4PM for cleaning and to allow the water pumps to re-set.

Where do you take your kids for a fun water day?

Photography Source: Elizabeth Carr

Happy Independence Day!

“I am certain that, however great the hardships and the trials which loom ahead, 

our America will endure and the cause of human freedom will triumph” 

-Cordell Hull, US Secretary of State, 1933-1944

Hope you enjoy your celebration of Freedom!

I'll be back from the long weekend tomorrow with great ideas to get out on the water this summer.

Summer Fun For Someone!

Congratulations, Dana W.  

(You should be receiving an email soon)

Thank you to everyone who entered the Summer Fun Giveaway.  

I look forward to hearing more from you soon!