Promontory Point

While we were studying the state of Utah in our home school, we spent a little time learning about the transcontinental railroad and the famous Golden Spike. Since we had a trip to Utah planned not too far in the future, I promised the kids that we would make a trip to Promontory Point to view the Golden Spike while we were there. While it was in the middle of nowhere, and the first time we drove there it was actually closed, we did manage to fit a second trip into our crazy schedule. We made a stopover there on our way up to Yellowstone and arrived just in time to see the trains rolling in for a brief re-enactment.



The kids were so excited as the first train--the Jupiter backed into the station. They waved to the conductor and later went over to ask him questions about the large wood-burning engine.





About a half an hour later, the coal burning No 119 rolled in with a loud whistle.



They looked pretty awesome nose to nose on the track.



After they both arrived, we were pleased to witness a brief re-enactment put on by a home-schooling group that was having a field trip to the park that day, and then capped off our experience with a short Charlie Brown film off of "This is America Charlie Brown." The kids seemed to really like the visit, and it was a great chance to review some of the things we had already talked about in school. We all learned a new thing or two while we were there too. Our visit made me glad that we home school and have the opportunity to take field trips whenever and to wherever we please.