We arrived in Salt Lake City June 29 about 1 pm.  Cousin Joyce said that they had 7" of snow in the mountains on Father's Day and that the ski resort were still open - Snow on the mountain

After checking into our KOA and eating lunch, we headed north to the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island.
Unfortunately, this was our first rain the whole trip -- it could have waited until nightfall.

Antelope Island is 15 miles long and 4.5 miles across at its widest point - a total of 28,022 acres.



Visitor Center

We saw seagulls (Utah's state bird)

and swallows

and Canadian Geese

The island is reported to have a herd of 500-700 bison.  We only saw a handful, but the others may have been on the other side of the mountain.  The first ones we saw were these - real or fake???

If you guessed fake you were right - if you didn't then I assume you never seen a bison in real life.  Here they are.

At least the sign for them!!!

Here's a couple of shots of the Great Salt Lake looking across to the city.

We couldn't go over this mountain with the motorhome. We are assuming the rest of the bison, deer, bighorn sheep and antelope were on the other side.

Frary Peak - 6596' - highest point on the island

The Great Salt Lake Valley

This is the causeway you cross to get to Antelope Island. We are guessing it was about 5 miles long.

We traveled along one side of the island, approximately 8 miles to the Fielding Garr Ranch.  Fielding Garr established the first permanent residence on the island in 1848, which is Utah's oldest Anglo-built structure still standing on its existing foundation.  You can tour the ranch.  We were afraid to take Bernie's scooter out in the rain so we just drove by.  There are beaches, with showers, restrooms, and snack bar.  It was a long walk to the water, so we just watched as others took the plung.

In the evening, we hooked up with cousin, Joyce and some of her children for dinner.  We went to this neat Italian restaurant where the small portion serves 2-3 people and a large portion serves up to 6 people.  So Bernie and I shared a ceasar salad and lasagna and still brought home leftovers.

Here's a picture of the clan.

Standing right to left - Heather, Eden - daughters;  seating, right to left - son, John, daughter, Liz and her husband, Kelly; Joyce and her newest adopted daughter, Marajanee.  A good time was had by all - swapping stories!!!

Today, we left Las Vegas and headed for Fillmore, Utah, the first capitol of Utah.  Everything seemed so barren, desert-like

until this appeared out in the middle of no where -- not ever sure what is.

And of course, their were mountains and ....

more mountains and .....

more mountains and ...

the Virgin River!! 



We drove out of Nevada, into the northwest corner of Arizona and then into Utah.

Oh no, there's snow in Utah -- still snow on the mountains.

Snow on the mountain and a sand storm in the valley

,

Tomorrow we head for Salt Lake.  Hope all is well with everyone.  We are great and really enjoying our trip of a lifetime.  In Salt Lake, we hope to hook up with my cousin who we haven't seen in 10 years.

Yesterday, we left the Grand Canyon region and headed for Las Vegas.  We stopped at Hoover Dam. We took US 40 and headed west.

Golden Canyons

and

More Mountains



and  Cactus!!

Finally, we started to see water -- Lake Mead

So we knew we were getting close to the Hoover Dam.

This is the new bridge they built after 9/11 to divert traffic from crossing the dam.  We went down and after an inspection of the camper and all of its' compartments, they let us actually cross the dam.

Hoover Dam is in Nevada and in Arizona.

Welcome to Nevada



We keep seeing wildlife signs but no wildlife.  This is the sign for the bighorn mountain sheep.

Here's our road

Boulder City

Finally, we arrived in Las Vegas.  Unfortunately, we couldn't hook up with our friend, Conrad and he won't be coming to Maryland this summer so we are very sad.  I really couldn't wait to get out of Vegas.  Nine years ago we were here and Bernie had a heart attack so I really wanted to leave so nothing bad could happen.  We stayed at the campground right next to Circus Circus (where we stayed 9 years ago).  Last time, the kids and I went to the Stratosphere where they had a roller coast around the top.  They have a new ride.  Don't know if I would go on that one.  See for yourself.

Tomorrow we head towards Salt Lake City.