We had the opportunity on our "last summer fling" to make a little side trip just north of the Great Salt Lake, to visit the site where East (the Union Pacific) met West (Central Pacific) via rail for the first time in the history of the United States: The intersection of the Transcontinental Railroad in Promontory, Utah. This historical event changed the way people traveled and brought the two coasts closer together than ever before.
On average, it took approximately 6 months by horse and carriage to travel the distance prior to this event.
The trip was dangerous with many perils along the way. On average, at least one family member died along the way, not to mention, the lifetime commitment and expense that was paid. Most families never saw their relatives again once they left.
With the transcontinental railway connecting the country, it brought that same travel distance time down to approximately four days!
This meant that folks could travel back and forth easily and without too much expense (and in pure luxury, comparatively speaking). What an amazing thing... I guess you could liken it to the invention of the modern day airline.
We happened to show up right around the time that they demonstrated this historic event with replicas of the first two steam engines touching nose to nose on the day of the inauguration.
What a wonderful opportunity to see History come to life!
