Canada Geese at the Great Salt Lake Nature Center -- Photo by Pat Bean
“Poets who know no better rhapsodize about the peace of nature, but a well-populated marsh is a cacophony.” — Bern Keating
Looking across Farmington Bay at the Wasatch Mountains. -- Photo by Pat Bean
Favorite Hikes:
One of my favorite hikes when I lived in Northern Utah was a gentle trek on a circular boardwalk found at the Great Salt Lake Nature Center. http://tinyurl.com/45jykl6
Located in the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area just north of Salt Lake City, the mile and a half circular trail provides excellent views of wetlands wildlife.
It was a trail I hiked early on weekend mornings, or in the early evenings after getting off from work. Whatever the time, however, my walk always began with a chorus of marsh wrens that was soon joined by a background of croaky frog chirps.
Hike slowly and look closely so you don't miss such things as the yellow-headed blackbird hiding in the rushes. -- Photo by Pat Bean
And there always surprises, like coming around a corner of cattail or bulrush to see coots or pied-billed grebes floating in a small bit of open water. Or climbing to the top the 30-foot observation tower to see avocets and northern shovelers off in the distance, and song sparrows and red-winged blackbirds flitting around below.
On a couple of occasions I even saw red foxes, including a den of young ones. And I almost always saw northern harriers and kestrels circling overhead. In the winter, bald eagles were a frequent sight, as were tundra swans in the spring.
Once a flock of graceful sandhill cranes flew close overhead, their rattling trumpet call echoing through the air. It was an experience that stirred my soul and made me grateful just to be alive. If you’re ever in the area, it’s a hike not to miss.
Just be sure and take some mosquito repellent with you. Mother Nature is kind, but not always considerate.
Pat Bean's blog 
Its so good to see you are still writing and traveling. 🙂 The great salt lake is one of my favorite places too. Hope you are enjoying the weather in Texas; its snowing today in Utah.
I have a good friend who lives in Southern Utah, close to Monticello. A geologist, who after suffering from a loosing a dear wife, then a job, (not to mention his house caught on fire before his wife passed away), bought some land and moved into a small (and I mean small) trailer in the middle of his acreage. After 3 years or so, he built a small beautiful home made of Aspen wood. I am going to try to go and see him in May.
One question: How is it to be on the road with just you and your dog? The reason I am asking is, these thoughts of buying a trailer and hitting the road, have been entering my mind. I have been working in the corporate world for over 30 years, and it is killing me, literally. I am trying to get the guts up to abandon it and hit the road. I have no idea of what I would do, but at the rate I am going now, it will not matter I will be dead… I live alone, well not really, it is just my dog and I. I read, write, and take pictures for the love of it. I study yoga for health reasons. I found you from the SCN emails, and this morning when I could not sleep I was looking over some of the talk that goes on between you gals, (I am new to the circle and hesitant to post), when I ran into your blog. I opened it up and about passed out. You are doing what I have been dreaming of for the last 2 years. I am so glad I became a part of the SCN. Not having a mom, it has opened many windows to the lives of women, however, I am still hiding behind the shades kind of showing my face now and again. I am Karen. Thank you for this, it is lovely.
You really get around 🙂 Are you tracking this on a map?