Antelope Island 3.24.12

Antelope Island sits peacefully in the Great Salt Lake and is home to much wildlife. In the past, every spring, we have camped there as a family. For the last many years we have missed this trip as a family. When the older children one day were taking about antelope Island the the younger ones showed interest, we decided to go again.

We left right after work, and arrived about 6:30. The campsites are nice, but basic. No running water or lights. We enjoyed it like that.

That night we attended a Solar System presentation at the visitor's center that the kids loved. While driving there nature wished us goodnight with a beautiful sunrise that reminded me more of California or Hawaii than Utah.

Saturday after Breakfast we went on a cross country exploring hike on a hill above camp. We saw any animals including hawks, bison, antelope, deer, rabbits and others. The kids and I loved it.

One of their favorite things was exploring the many tunnels and caves made by the the rocks and rainwater eating away the material.



I love this picture because the entire Hike the older children helped the youngest navigate the rocky terrain.

After the hike we headed down to Fielding Garr ranch, which is farther south on the Island. There you can tour the old ranch, practice roping and just explore what it was like to live on the Island.

I had to add it...

Dawn ended up with the stomach flu, but was adamant that we stay. She laid in the tent while we spent the day exploring.

For Lunch we sampled the Buffalo Burgers from the Island Buffalo Grill, they loved them and pronounced them sweeter and more filling than beef. (I have no idea what that means)

After lunch we Played in the Lake and bubbles, made sand castles and skipped rocks.

Notice the rock in this picture...

After the beach, we tried to rinse the sand and salt off us, which was utterly fruitless. Then headed out for our last adventure which was to explore the rocks on lady finger point. This point is very important in the park's history as it was on the end of this point, after a short hike, when it was decided to make a park here on the island. Finally it was time to bid farewell so the children played sharks and minnows while I packed the van.

On our way home they were all chatting how this had been one of the greatest camping trips ever. We saw tons of animals, explored, played, ate simply and had a great time.

 This time of year is a great time to visit the Great Salt Lake Park.

Ol' Jack's Treasure

St. Patrick's day is usually a fairly calm Holiday for us. Sure there is a visit from a mysterious leprechaun set on wreaking havoc, but other than that, some green waffles and other green items, non-eventful.

So in the morning I decided to go for a ride... I figured it would be the last day for a while that the trails would be dry with the storm coming. It was fantastic.

I took this picture with my tripod, and forgot to put my helmet back on...the trails were dry.

When I got home I invited the children to help me clean out my car, and much to our surprise they found a rolled up, rather ragged looking, piece of paper jammed in a bush. It appears the wind must have blown it there.

It was hard to make out as it was rather faded and dirty, but the children did see a faint scrawling which read,  "Ol' Jack's treasure, don't be touchin".

They screamed for excitement and joy (I'm sure all the neighbors were now aware of the find) and ran in the house proclaiming, "We found a leprechaun's treasure map". Clothes were quickly changed, break feast hastily eaten and off we went. You see, they wanted to find the treasure before Jack did. We followed the clues, which were not simple I might add, to Provo canyon. Eventually ending at the squaw peak road closure gate, so with map in hand we headed up the road.

Following the clues we were led off the road into the scrub oak.

After a little searching we found the resting place of Ol'Jacks goods. It turned out to be 42 chocolate gold coins and 42 1 dollar "Gold' Coins.

The older Children played along while the younger children relished in the fact that they had indeed found a leprechaun's treasure.

They were some excited children.

They spent the rest of the day practicing fighting skills and building traps  in case the leprechauns attacked, wanting to regain their lost treasure. Fortunately no such event occurred.

Although they said they found another treasure map that had blown in...

Happy St. Patrick's day!!!



Antelope Island 3.11.12

Early Spring Biking in Utah is always a little difficult to come by. As the snow melts and the temperatures warm the trails become muddy and sticky. Too sticky and muddy to ride. There are a few places however where we have usually found success, Price or Antelope Island state park. This Saturday we opted for the latter, and we were very glad we did.

This Is Guthrie out on Elephant head point. It is a beautiful place that made us feel like we were on a ride in California and not Utah.

Again, views from Elephant head. Unfortunately it was a somewhat hazy day and the Camera could not do the view justice.

If you notice, Guthrie is not wearing clip less shoes nor peddles. He is testing out flats for a while based on the experiences of many that using flats makes one a better rider. He found them enjoyable and different, but more difficult in technical terrain.

There was a small amount of snow on the shadowed edges of the trail, but only a few wet spots scattered sporadically.

We ended up riding 24 miles of mostly single track mixed with a few miles of double track. While the trails are mostly intermediate, there are a few very technical miles on elephant head, white rocks bay, and the loop past elephant head.

This is a great spring/fall location to ride. However, I would stay away in the summer. The heat becomes oppressive, there are bugs by the millions, and a stench from the dying brine shrimp that is anything but pleasant.

If you have not ridden or been to Antelope Island it is definitely worth a trip. If mountain biking isn't your thing then Hiking Frary peak may be. It likes in the middle of the island and offers gorgeous views of the surrounding area. Not many places in Utah where you can climb a peak and be surrounded with water.

Happy Adventures...