lately it seems like our adventures have "flopped" a little. exploring the area around Tooele hasn't produced the most positive results, but we've tried to enjoy ourselves anyway.
one of the things we wanted to do while living here was explore the Great Salt Lake. we'd been learning about the huge resorts that used to be in various places around the lake, specifically Saltair, which has a reconstructed building that we pass on the highway.
we loaded up one {very hot} sunday evening after dinner and brought our sand buckets, shovels and metal detector hoping to find a few treasures and dig up some fun.
our destination: the Great Salt Lake Marina and State Park (about 20 minutes away).
do not let this picture fool you. the sands may be silver, but they are stinky. we made it down onto the beach but could not get within 10 feet of the water due to the horrible stench and swarms of sand fleas. we were awestruck that there were several people actually out swimming in the muck. the only "treasures" to be found on the beach were trash and dead birds.
{escape as fast as we can}
try taking a walk up to the information platform and outlook area:
come in contact with the largest spiderweb colony we've ever seen. we're talking arachnaephobia here folks.
{escape as quickly as we can again}
overlook the marina as we head back to the car. everything all looks stunning. i captured some nice pictures anyway. the heat and the stench were unbearable. hazmat suit necessary.
we take a drive down along the shore to the black rock, a scenic site from the highway where Black Rock Resort used to reside in the late 1800's to early 1900's. many people here parked, walking on the beach and even swimming. we roll the windows down. nope, not us. still waaaaay too stinky.
so, after dissapointment, we headed back towards Tooele and decide to stop in the small town of Stansbury Park on our way. this community feautures a lake and a "sandy swimming beach." let's check it out and see if we can go swim there sometime!
the beach was a gravel strip about 20 feet long speckled with duck poop and tall, scratchy grass.
but there's a boat launch area where people are swimming! let's check that out...
ewww....these people are going to grow third eyeballs and tails! spattered duck poop everywhere. haven't they heard of duck itch? oh swimmers beware, you will regret your cool dip in the refreshing {pickle water} of this lake. no thanks.
all was not lost. a little paved path led to a pretty bridge overlooking some ducks. next time we'll bring some bread or popcorn to feed them. the kids enjoyed watching them swim about. there was a rather fiesty mallard that was apparently protecting his "girlfriend" as he squacked and flapped about anytime "anyone else," people or duck-folk drew near.
it was the perfect dusky time of evening as the sun sets and the whole world begins to glow. the heat was still intense, so i think we will come back in the fall when cooler weather settles in. maybe bring a picnic dinner along with us.
still no use of the shovels, buckets or metal detector, but we'll try an adventure again in another place.
