Experiencing America
5000 Miles of Beauty, Wonder, and Fun
Page 3 - (July 1, 2007) |
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Great Salt Lake and Ogden Eccles Dinosaur Park
The next major stop on the trip was planned for Great Salt Lake with the hope of then going to Dinosaur National Monument in northwest Colorado. However, the drive from Yellowstone through the Grand Teton National Park to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to the south then west to Idaho Falls before heading southwest towards the Great Salt Lake brought an unexpected, pleasant surprise beyond seeing two moose and more of the rich beauty of the American countryside that each state offers. |
David Bancroft and grandson with an attacking Utahraptor
| | It was my grandson who noticed the billboard several miles north of Ogden, Utah. His somewhat raised voice exclaimed that the largest dinosaur park in the USA was in Odgen. Well, that was also when we decided not to drive about 500 miles more in a roundtrip to visit the better known national park to the east.
In fact, the Ogden Eccles Dinosaur Park is what every child (and adult) would like to experience if there is even a remote interest in dinosaurs. Just doing for your child or grandchild is reason enough.
My wife and I even found ourselves wide eyed at times as we walked with our grandson on the winding and intersecting paths. I even came across some very big T-Rex like predators that I have never heard of before/
And most of the different types of dinosaurs are full scale |
with all positioned in life
like settings. (Dinosaur National Monument will have to be visited
another time.) |
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The next day was spent mostly at the Great Salt Lake that borders Ogden to the west and goes beyond the city north and south. We actually visited the 28,022 acre Antelope Island State Park, which is on the southeast part of lake and just north of Salt Lake City.
Salty and arid fits the stark beauty of the Great Salt Lake with rocks older than rocks found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
It was amazing to learn that this 1700 square mile body of water is the remnant of the prehistoric Lake Bonneville that once covered 20,000 square miles . . . and was over a 1000 feet deeper than its now 33 foot maximum depth. | | 
David Bancroft's grandson with Great Salt Lake
in background. (This white buffalo is manmade.)
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 | | We also had our two closest encounters with buffalo within minutes of each other. We even came within 15 feet from one of the bulls (see photo on the left). My wife's initial reaction with each stop near these two bulls was a quick look of alarm, asking what are you doing. Then she and our grandson began taking the wanted pictures and video. Fortunately, the bull bison was more interested in grazing and never did more than keep a watchful eye on us, allowing us to leisurely drive away from its massive presence, which appeared larger than the car. |
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David G. Bancroft
Founder / Owner
USA Patriotism!
Copyright 2007
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