April 1, 2006
We got up bright and early (6:00 a.m.) so we’d be on the road in time to hook up with Melinda at Nanette’s in Logan. Our ETA was 9:30… allegedly. The plan would have worked, except for the distraction of the geology books and maps. I wanted the books sequenced; so that I’d know what to read at which part of the journey. So instead of leaving at 7:00 a.m. which would have put us there waaaay too early, we left at 8:30 which put us there late (10:15ish).
Drive to LoganI was shocked to discover that the Roadside Geology guides were not up to par for the road from here to Logan. Actually, I’m not all that shocked. They are definitely weaker than I’d like. If I ever have time I’d love to rewrite those books… We only stopped a couple of times to look at birds. The red tailed hawk sitting on a tree was a must to stop for. Then Nick definitely had to climb the hill by the Geology marker for Red Rock Pass. This is the pass that Lake Bonneville eroded away to flood Pocatello and parts of Idaho. What’s disappointing is that the geology marker at the bottom doesn’t tell you that the monument at the top is for a group of graves.
At Logan we found Nanette’s new place. It’s fabulous. Lots of room, plenty of storage, a great place to live. We went to breakfast at the nearby diner and then back to her house. Nick and Nan loaded the wagon wheel bunk beds into the jeep. It was raining. They got damp. Thanks guys.
Drive to Provo
Melinda left her car at Nan’s house and took off with us towards Provo. We used a Utah Geological Association (1) field trip guide to explore the geologic features around Logan. This field guide was designed to stat in Salt Lake City an end in Logan. So I had to try and read it in reverse. Not fun, but it was a lot more interesting and thorough than using one of those roadside guides So we went up the canyon, along the valley, through the snow… over the dam, around the bend, up the hill, down the highway, along the dirt track… Pretty rocks on a hillside, faults, folds, mountains, rivers, lakes, alluvial fans… Melinda brought her geography book to study for a test. I had the mini-library and we had a great time. The reasonably short trip from Logan to Provo took us 8 hours. We saw lots of rocks and birds.
In Provo, we toted the bed up the stairs of Melinda’s new place and helped her put the beds together as a trundle set. This way she can use the top bed as a shelf and the bottom bed as a bed. Nick and I drove over to the Marriott hotel. While Nick was in working on the reservation situation I called Shanna. Apparently the power went off in our part of Pocatello. Someone hit a power pole. Two hours later everything was fine. Shanna is so cool. She already had a candle lit and wasn’t worried a bit. We went to bed and I slept like a rock.
April 2, 2006
And Back
The time changed while we slept. I hate daylight savings time. Got up, got moving early and headed back to Logan (yes Melinda came with us). Anyway, we drove to Antelope Island and did ½ the field trip there. Nan called, and unfortunately she had to go to Pocatello, leaving before we got to Logan. After Antelope Island we headed for Logan. Nick and I talked geology while Melinda napped.
At Logan we parted ways and Nick and I headed for Idaho. I was tired of talking/reading. So we stopped at the nearby Borders and bought a book on tape, or rather CD., a Louis L’Amour story read/acted by Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. It was great.
I’ve become fascinated by the scope of Lake Bonneville and the scale of the flood. I want to pursue this a little more, and am planning to do a Lake Bonneville trip soon.
Weekend Bird List:
Crows
California Gulls
Coots
Canada Geese
Red Winged Blackbirds
Starlings
Magpies
Red Tailed Hawk
Domestic Geese – on way up canyon
Chinese Swan Goose
Mallards
Horned Larks – triangle intersection by McMurdie Hollow
Meadowlarks
Kestrel
Robins
Brewers blackbirds
Kildeer
Avocets
Cormorants
Northern shovelers
Ring necked ducks
Great blue herons
Cinnamon teals
Canvasback ducks
Dark variant Canada goose
Rough legged hawk
Northern harrier
Song sparrow
Coopers hawk
Gadwalls
Eared grebes
Chukkar
Ravens
Yellowheaded blackbird
Snowy egrets
Sandhill cranes
Weekend Mammal List:
Muskrat
Bison
Coyote
(1)
“Geology of the Northern Wasatch Front, Utah: Utah Geological Association Field trip Road Log September 11, 1999. Compiled by W. Adolph Yonkee and Jeffrey G. Eaton, Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden UT.” In Geology of Northern Utah and Vicinity, Utah Geological Association Publication Vol 27 pages 378-402.
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