The Spike That United Them All

Once thing that always surprises me about the US when compared to say Europe is our lack of transit infrastructure.  Sure both continents have a rail system, but over here in the US it seems that we are still light years behind our European counterparts on rail transportation.  So that got me thinking about this week's post; it's more of a location than a city now, but Promontory, Utah is where both coasts of the US finally met for the first time under one rail line.

Promontory Summit is where the Transcontinental Rail Line finally became one on May 10, 1869; the area is now under the care of the National Park Services and the site is said to be in the middle of nowhere, a few dozen miles away from the nearest towns.  Unfortunately, as the years went on, the famed point of transit unity was left to fade away due to newer and more efficient ways to surpass the Great Lakes.  All that stands there now for the most part is a visitors center, an engine house and two replica locomotives that face each other just as they did the day the last spike was placed in the ground.


I know that this site for some may not be much, but it's an important part of American history.  I've always been a sap for climatic points in the evolution of countries and cities and this trip would be no different for me.  Only thing that I'd like to note though is unlike the rest of the spots I've chosen, Promontory Summit is really just a day trip; I'm breaking away with my week long minimum stay on this occasion.  Perhaps I could include this little excursion as a part of a greater trip to Utah.  Thoughts?

The one thing you won't see though is the infamous Golden Spike; this was the official spike that united the rails and made the transcontinental connection possible.  Hell you actually won't see anything from the original construction up there anymore.  The Golden Spike now resides at the Stanford Museum and all original rails were taken up for the war effort in 1942; so the two replicate trains actually lay on about 1.5 miles of recreated rails for tourists and posterity. 

I know that this post may not have sparked the interests of all adventure seekers, but this time around I decided to go with more historical significance.  How cool would it be to say that you once stood at the point where both halves of the United States were brought together by one golden token?

Be Our Guest

So as my college years have faded into the backdrop of life, so have my days of heavy drinking.  Don't get me wrong now, a good drink or two is always a great way to pass the time; if you're a lightweight like me, two drinks will do just right.  Yet imagine having a delicious beverage in 23 degrees (f) while inside a structure that is annually changing and revealing the artistic designs of those lucky to participate in its rising.  Ladies and gents, I'm talking about the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden.

This freezing watering hole was first born from an ice exhibition in 1989 and has grown to not only become a unique destination, but has even caused a few other cities to come up with hotels of their own.  I remember watching "Die Another Day" and seeing the scene in which an ice palace was used; I instantly became hooked.  Like all things Hollywood, I really didn't think it existed, but low and behold, Sweden is where it's at.  Now when I look back at seeing that hotel on film, I always wondered what would I have to bring to stay comfortable.  The specific hotel in Sweden does offer you a whole array of clothing, yet you're strongly advised to bring a decent amount with you.  You also have the option of sleeping on a real bed or an ice block; let's face it, some folks just prefer alittle padding while they snooze.  To state the obvious, there are workable toilet facilities on the property so you don't have to worry about any frozen emergencies.


Something that truly appeals to me about this whole sub zero edifice is that every year artists and their ideas are approved so as to keep the design of this complex ever changing.  Honestly I don't know how many days I'd stay there, being that the indoor temperature hovers between 17 and 23 degrees (f).  When you compare that the outside temperature of the area hovers around -34 degrees (f), that interior frost doesn't sound so bad. 

What would ever possess me to go to some place so cold???  I wish I could tell you.  The appeal of this ice hotel works just like my other odd travel destinations; I just want to experience it!  I want to know what it's like to be in a spa in sub zero weather or drinking vodka in a solid ice glass.  Sleeping on ice blocks to some may not sound comfy, and I'm not going to say I'd settle for the block option every night, but it's something to experience. 

This destination, just like my other ones, is meant to open my eyes to life and to realize that sometimes it's not what we experience, but how we experience it that matters.  I'll be the first one to say it: I'm not a resort or a camp out at a hotel the whole trip kind of guy; yet I'd be willing to make this place an exception.  Although I'd be staying in a hotel, which is contrary to my usual travel plans, relaxing would probably be on the bottom of my list.  While there, one is able to explore the vast land around, and do things such as dog sledding, horse back riding and my favorite, witness the Northern Lights among other things like the public art exhibit during day time hours

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So even though this freezing structure may not be to everyone's liking, it definitely seems to be high on my list of oddball destinations.  The one thing that this trip would do to me, is that it would force me to actually have to organize my excursion on a realistic time table.  Don't forget people, the most important word in this ice hotel is ICE, so to truly experience the popsicle aspect of this destination, traveling there between December to April is a must. 

It's a pain to actually have to bend myself around Mother Nature's timetable, but I guess I can do it this one time.  Perhaps this trip will be a metaphor for my life; one can be spontaneous and do what they want, but at some point we all have to grow up and learn that there are times that we must respect the necessity of others.  Oh where will this rabbit hole lead?