American Fork, UT to Twin Falls, ID

SOUTHWESTERN USA RS ROAD TRIP 

September 3, 2017 (Day 27) 

American Fork, UT to Twin Falls, ID 

Miles Today: 290 / Total Trip Miles: 4,173

TODAY'S ROUTE

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Today's route to Twin Falls (3,700 ft elevation) took us through Salt Lake City. Air quality in the Salt Lake City area was like a bad day in 1950's Los Angeles. It was very smoggy - so bad that the beautiful nearby Wasatch Mountains (over 13,000 ft elevation) were not visible. For lunch, Mary & I dined on burgers and chips at a biker bar in Corrine, UT. High temperatures for the day were around 97 degrees Fahrenheit. 

PHOTOS

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Ghost Signs

These ghost signs are on the mercantile building in Corrine, UT (population <1,000 / elevation 4,200 ft). In 1868 Mark Gilmore and several companions who opposed the Mormon doctrine wanted to create a "gentile" city. Corinne was to be "off limits" to those in the Mormon Church. The idea was to create a railroad and steamboat center as the selected site bordered the Bear River, which connected to the Great Salt Lake. Ore from the mines and produce from farms would create revenues for a railroad such as the Union Pacific Railroad. Gilmore and his associates quickly acquired the land. Unfortunately, Gilmore and his plan for the future of Corinne conflicted with Brigham Young and the Mormon Church. Although the town flourished for a few years, it was not to be. The influence of Young and the Church was just too much. The end came in 1903 when the main road into Corrine was rerouted and bypassed the town.  [See photo on flickr]

Transcontinental Railroad

Golden Spike National Historical Park (elevation 5,000 ft) at Promontory Summit commemorates the completion of the first American Transcontinental Railroad where the Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad met on May 10, 1869. The final joining of the rails spanning the continent was signified by the driving of a ceremonial Golden Spike.

Although the line was abandoned in 1904 (bypassed by the Lucin Cutoff) and the original rails were removed in 1942 to serve the war effort, the site presently includes 2 miles of rebuilt track. The rebuilt track was designed to be an authentic representation of the 1869 rails.  [See photo on flickr]

Fence Post & Flowers 

Location: Just outside the entrance to Golden Spike National Historical Park.  [See photo on flickr]

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TOMORROW

Mary and I will stay in Twin Falls a few days and get the car serviced.

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COPYRIGHT

These photographs are the property of Leon Jackson, and are protected by copyright laws. Photographs may not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Leon Jackson. © 2017 Leon Jackson. All Rights Reserved.

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