With rain in the forecast for this afternoon, we thought we had better get out and do the outside stuff first thing this morning...checking out the Visitors Center can be done later on in the rain.
(Warning: Picture Intensive! Just click on any photo to enlarge)
We're going to start our sightseeing by going to the Fielding Garr Ranch. Our route took us over to Eastside Road where we found lots of wildlife activity as we drove towards the ranch.
Pronghorn (antelope)...
As you can see, it was a pretty cloudy day...even so, the scenery was still beautiful as we drove south towards the ranch...
We parked the truck in the upper parking lot and then walked down to the entrance...
One of the volunteers gave us a pamphlet and chatted at length about the ranch...he was very interesting! I'm always surprised at the extensive knowledge these volunteers have...and how they remember it all! Mind you, I guess if you have been repeating the same info over and over, day in and day out, it becomes second nature to you.
As suggested, we started at the Orientation Center which was full of exhibits, artifacts and information...
I know these exhibit signs may be difficult to read but if you enlarge it and zoom-in, you should be able to read it...lots of interesting information about the history of this area...
This is the Shearing Barn..."Sheep have always formed an important part of the ranching operation here." Back in the 1850's the sheep were all shorn once each year by hand. By the 1920's, the island was home to one of the largest sheep operations in the US with more than 10,000. This building was designed and built to mechanize the shearing process in the spring of each year.Sheep pens...
Mechanic's Pit...Antelope Island did not have electricity until the early 1950's, so without a powered hoist to lift trucks and other farm equipment, a pit/trench was dug with wooden runners on each side to park a vehicle over the pit.
Horses have always played an important role in the history of the ranch. Today, the equestrian tradition is kept alive at the ranch with R and G Outfitters. "Cowboys are available to guide your ride in the hills, and share their knowledge of the ranching operations."
This wagon, called a sheep camp, played an important part in sheep ranching...the sheep camp traveled with the herds from summer range to winter range. The wagon carried the herder's bed and personal items, as well as food and cooking utensils. Looks like the start of what we now know as 'travel trailers'!
Then it was time to explore the Ranch House...
We must have spent, easily, a couple of hours wandering around the ranch...very interesting with some real history of the island.
As we headed back up Eastside Road...
More scenery pictures...of course, pictures just don't do justice!
Our next stop was at the Visitors Center...
While in the Visitors Center, the wind had really picked up outside...the storm was coming in! On our way back to the campground we decided to take a drive through Bridger Bay Campground....where we had hoped to have stayed.
Much nicer than White Rock Bay Campground...it has large pull-through sites. Too bad we hadn't been able to get in there...
Instead of taking the turnoff to our campground, we decided to take a drive up to Buffalo Point. There is a parking lot and trail head for a hike up further to the point...we'll have to do that another time since the rain had started...
Once back home, we hunkered down inside while it rained outside. At least the wind died down enough to allow Steve to barbecue burgers outside.
We had finished dinner and were just starting to relax for an evening of TV when there was a knock on the door. It was Jeremy from next door saying they were experimenting with some new recipes on the outdoor stove and inviting us over. Very nice...we have had our dinner but we'd love to come over for a visit. They...Jeremy and his friend, Trace...love cooking, especially using their dutch ovens. They had grilled potatoes with garlic (and other spices) and Trace had done jalapeno peppers stuffed with cream cheese (and cheddar too, I think) and wrapped in bacon (we were still full from dinner so we didn't try them)...and he also did chicken wings (Steve and I shared one...yum!). Then Trace's wife, Stefanie, put on a mixed berry cobbler (in a dutch oven). We chatted and had a great visit with them and about an hour and a half later, the cobbler was ready. Stefanie was dishing it out when all of a sudden the wind came up...what timing! She had barely dished out the cobbler before we all had to run back to our trailers...it was pouring out! Good night all...thanks for a great evening!
There have been several times when we camped in Utah that our neighbors have brought us over a plate of food. I thought it was a random gesture put after reading your last two posts I am beginning to wonder!
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