Driving Through the Salt Flats of Bonneville, Utah

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The plan originally was to drive from Elko, Nevada to Salt Lake City, Utah without stopping, but that’s until I saw photos of Bonneville Salt Flats on Heidi’s blog. I needed to go there.

Prior to researching for this trip, I’d never even heard of Bonneville before; I’m not big on racing—have never actually seen a race outside of the Macau Grand Prix (and as my sister is dating the grandson of a NASCAR legend, I might get excommunicated by his family for admitting that publicly)—so I knew nothing of those famed high-speed races that take place on the salt flats each year.

Sadly, as you can tell, when we arrived amid all the rain, the flats looked more like a gross, muddy lake, rather than some beauty to behold. In fact, it was so cold and raining sideways, which prompted us to stay in the car for most of the time as we drove to the end of the turn-off, hoping for better views.

Still…nothing. Salt flats? Where? This was hardly the fairy-tale like setting I had seen in pictures. All that lay before me was barren wasteland. I was starting to think Heidi was a master at Photoshop and created those effects in her photos, post-processing!

I was bummed, as I wanted to create my own Bolivia-like pictures—you know the kind: SVV holding a smaller me, me holding a smaller Ella. (Yes, I’m a walking cliche.) The good news is that as we got back on I-80 and drove east toward Salt Lake, the sun began to peek out from behind the smoky, gray clouds, reflecting the sky off the ground in the process.

There was nowhere really to get off and take some pictures, so we’d pull the trailer over onto the shoulder at random and do a little “drive-by shooting” without even getting out of the car.

Even the median between the interstate offered some nice mirror views!

Moral of this story: If you go to Bonneville like we did and don’t get great views, keep your eyes peeled—and your camera handy—while driving (er, don’t shoot and drive, of course), as you just might wind up getting your picture anyway. You may walk away with dozens of reflections of clouds, as we did, but at least then you won’t feel totally ripped off.

*All photos taken with a Canon T1i and our brand new Canon 24-105mm lens.

**For more Photo Friday fun, visit Delicious Baby.

COMMENTS
  • May 27, 2011

    You can’t get lucky with weather all the time. I saw the salt flats many years ago and they were rather eerie. Like the reflection shots.

    • May 27, 2011
      Kristin

      Or in our case: You can’t get lucky with the weather EVER. (Except in Hawaii. Can’t say I can complain a lick about our weather there last month.)

  • May 27, 2011

    This is so fun! I was in Utah for a year – but southern Utah – and I never made it up here, though I wanted to. Watch The Fastest Indian with Anthony Hopkins.

  • May 27, 2011

    Love the truck shot! And the fact that there are so many random “attractions” in unexpected places. Gotta love road trips!

    • May 27, 2011
      Kristin

      Yes! Today, for example, we wound up driving through Nebraska as the winds in Wyoming were too strong for a trailer lite, and we found ourselves in the same town as Carhenge. So naturally, we pulled over and went. I love America!

  • May 27, 2011

    I am loving your road trip posts! I’ve never taken a state to state road trip and the thought kinda makes me nervous. This is calming my nerves and giving me a picture of what it might look like.

    Oh, and may I feature your last post on Salt Lake City in my Uniquely Your City for June? It’s the perfect kind of post, and I’ve never seen anyone do a post on Salt Lake City. Makes me want to go back and do a post on Provo and Sundance from way back when. Let me know!

    • May 27, 2011
      Kristin

      Yes, of course, Rose!

      • May 30, 2011

        Actually, let me know if you mind, but I ended up featuring your Waikiki post! That first photo was just too stunning to not have the post be known 🙂 .

  • May 27, 2011

    So, usually when I read your posts I immediately turn around and add that destination to my bucket list. This time, however, I believe I am content to read about this one. But it’s interesting to hear about!

    (Also? Poor Ella looks piiiiiissed. Poor puppy.)

    • May 27, 2011
      Kristin

      Yeah, I wouldn’t make any special trip to see them… especially if the weather is as inconsistent as it was for us!

  • May 27, 2011

    Sometimes we’re disappointed, sometimes we’re amazed, but the goal is to keep on traveling! You go, girl!

  • May 27, 2011

    I live in Colorado, and I drive through the salt flats when I drive to northern California. It’s usually dry as all hell, so they’ve been smooth and flat and mysterious every time I’ve seen them. Maybe I’m a bad road tripper, but I’ve never actually gotten out of the car to take a closer look. I’ll have to click on the blog post you mentioned above.

    • May 27, 2011
      Kristin

      Snap a photo for me next time, will you? I’m still not entirely sold on what people keep telling me–that they’re usually dry and glassy =)

  • May 27, 2011

    Oh boy, do I have a story for you about the Salt Flats. When my husband and I were dating, I had the brilliant idea of driving on the flats. We got stuck on the mud for hours. We finally spotted 2 girls in their car who helped us get out, it took forever and when they pulled my car they messed up the bumper and something else underneath. I had to pay over $250 to fix that. Yeah.

    • May 28, 2011
      Kristin

      Scott wanted to drive on the flats, too (even the sign blatantly said not to)! I’m so glad we didn’t–as you can see, it was an absolute swamp while we were there.

  • May 27, 2011

    I never thought a photo with a Simi would ever be beautiful, but I have to say. The one you took is! Just lovely.
    Can’t wait to hear more about the trip : )
    Brittani.

    • May 27, 2011

      Semi****

    • May 27, 2011
      Kristin

      Thanks, Brittani! Scott took it from the driver’s seat when we had pulled over on the side of the road!

  • May 27, 2011

    love the photo of ella- too cute! And the photo with the truck driving by looks so glamourous… you know, for it being a truck! 🙂

  • May 28, 2011

    Wow. Such big sky. And incredible reflections. Lovely photos.

  • May 28, 2011
    joan

    I love the photo of sad, wet, unhappy Ella. Poor little thing. I’m knowing she wound up in your lap with a blanket snuggled around her and her favorite treat on hand. Also love the truck photo. Who knew a truck photo would be so interesting. Keep those posts coming, I am loving hearing about your road trip. Reminds me of the one I took with the husband’s sister waaaaaay back in the late 1960’s. Yeah before computers, cell phones, GPS and all our photos were on film 🙂

  • May 28, 2011

    Here are some beautiful shots of the salt flats. They’re gorgeous! Truly! http://www.agirlandaboy.com/journal/archives/000763.html

  • May 28, 2011

    Not sure if that comment went through, but if not, here’s more proof that the salt flats are indeed a wonder to behold on a good day: http://www.agirlandaboy.com/journal/archives/000763.html

    • May 29, 2011
      Kristin

      So they really ARE pretty when it’s not raining. And it really does NOT rain in the SLC area. Who knew? I was beginning to think people were lying to me!

  • May 28, 2011

    Oooh, that truck is my color! I love it! You got some great shots in the end — really pretty.

    • May 29, 2011
      Kristin

      It would have made a nice accoutrement for your wedding!

  • June 1, 2011
    k

    I am loving reading about your roadtrip. I so looove roadtrips and it has been way too long since I’ve been on a good one!

  • June 5, 2011

    Gorgeous! Definitely going to have to visit this summer on our way west.

  • June 10, 2011

    I love the one with the semi, great photos and patience too!

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