When Lake Bonneville dried up in ancient times, it left a salt deposit that covered about 30,000 acres. It was eerily quiet at moments, which goes to support the fact that the salt pan is an ecosystem which is unable to support any kind of life. Were we on the moon? Was this an alien planet? There’s no way an environment so unique can exist such a short drive from the capital city. We exploded out of the car and started to walk on the Salt Flats. You can see the Salt Flats from the highway way before the exit, but it just looks like a big white void with some mountains on the horizon. Although she does look pretty awesome! When we pulled off the highway, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. No, Nikki isn’t flying or jumping super-human-like high: she jumped off the side of the boat/canoe-looking thing and I just leaped from the ground. Apparently stopping and pulling waaaay off the side of the road without an emergency happening is still illegal. Of course we had to stop and take a few pictures…until the Highway Patrol honked at us. And by “found,” I mean it’s the only thing along the particular stretch of highway, so you can’t help but see it.

And by “art,” I mean it turned out to be…something else disguised as art. When my friend Nikki came back to the States, we went on a mini road-trip with her sisters and friend to the Sun Tunnels and finally…the Salt Flats.Īlong the way, we found a curious piece of art just off of the highway. Although I will admit that it took me a while to really understand what the Salt Flats were and to find someone who was actively wanting to go. In my defense, how many New Yorkers haven’t been to the Statue of Liberty? Or San Franciscans to Angel Island? Or Californians to Hollywood?ĭid people realize how far away the Salt Flats were? Or how little there was en route that would draw travelers? How many people would jump at the chance to drive out to the middle of nowhere to see salt? Show of hands: how many people would willingly drive 3 hours round-trip to the middle of nowhere? When I’d respond with an “I’ve never been there” comment, the look of shock and not-so-silent judgement is clear. Whenever I would be traveling back in California or wherever, people would always ask me about those darn Salt Flats. I’ve lived in Utah for just over 7 years now, and I’m finally able to say that I’ve experienced walking on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

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