Itinerary: Day Trip To The Northwest
peaches, pink waters, And Silk Murals in september At These Favorite Spots
TRAVEL
Rozel Point, Great Salt Lake, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, at dusk. Deann Armes
I love traveling north from Ogden to Box Elder County year-round for a change of scenery. Yet, September is the juiciest: Brigham City Peach Days is happening Sept. 7 through 9 on Main Street, and “Utah’s Famous Fruit Way” is peaking with fresh produce from local farms. Not only tasty, it’s a visually rich expedition.
There is captivating quilt art to see at the Brigham City Museum of Art & History, yellow-headed blackbirds making way for the yearly influx of ducks at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, and the waters of the Great Salt Lake at Rozel Point are expected to blush their signature pink.
summer/early fall Day Trip itinerary North of Ogden
Petingill's Fruit & Produce is located on Utah's Famous Fruit Way, at 8815 US-89, Willard. Deann Armes
Take “Fruit Stand Highway,” or Utah’s Famous Fruit Way — Old Hwy 89 — where you can buy a box of the most delicious peaches you’ve ever sunk your teeth into. Don’t miss Petingill’s Fruit & Produce now through October!
Brunch at Bert’s Cafe est. 1929 located at 89 South Main Street in Brigham City. A yummy trip back to the past at a historic family diner. Get there early as they close at 2 p.m.
The 2024 annual fiber art exhibit: “Intersections,” on display through Sept. 28 is a must-see — Brigham City Museum of Art & History is worth the trip any time of year. Admission is free, but donations at the door are gladly accepted. Located in the lower level of the building at 24 North 300 West, its hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The museum is closed Sunday and Monday. Hours will be extended during Brigham City Peach Days, Sept. 4 to 7, and on September 20.
Spend a few hours at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge or Spiral Jetty at Rozel Point, Great Salt Lake. Take in the wonder of these ever-changing landscapes — both scenes are a photographer’s dream.
If you’re a birder, or just love seeing wild birds like I do, head to the bird refuge to bid farewell to the songbirds as they travel south for the winter and greet an array of duck species. Trumpeter and tundra swans begin to arrive in October and peak in mid-November. You can take the driving tour or walk the trails. I made a game of it for my kids — who can be the first to find the blue heron! — which made it an experience they never forgot. We found close to a dozen blue herons that day.
The Great Salt Lake at Rozel Point has the most brilliant pink waters due to its high concentration of halophiles. While there, you will also see the Spiral Jetty, a 1,500-foot earthwork sculpture by artist Robert Smithson created in 1970.
I can’t promise the water will be pink when you go. That’s the beauty of this place — it’s never quite the same and impossible to predict. But late summer to early fall is when it’s expected to resemble a Rose Quartz sea.
Comfortable waterproof sandals are best. It’s approximately 1,000 steps (I counted) from the Spiral Jetty to the water, a 5-10 minute walk. The best time of day to go, especially for photos, is just before dusk. The sunsets are spectacular. Take I-15 N to I-80 W traveling through Corinne to Golden Spike National Historic Museum (another great stop). From there, take these detailed directions.
If you’re up for more stop for a slice of the legendary Idleberry Pie at Idle Isle Cafe, Utah’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, since 1921.
Take it to-go if you want to stop for dinner at the original 50s-style Maddox Family Drive-In, famous for its fresh juicy burgers, homemade rootbeer, and pies…I don’t know what to say to this, other than I just couldn’t choose between the Idleberry Pie at Idle Isle or seasonal pies and other tempting baked treats at Maddox Family Drive-In. I have been known to do both in one day. Note: Maddox Family Drive In is closed Sunday and Monday.
For me, Maddox’s is a must-do pit stop after any adventure up north.
Left to right: Bert’s Cafe, Blue Heron spotted at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, silk mural "My Yard," by Debbi Sigg on display at Brigham City Museum of Arts & History, Spiral Jetty at Rozel Point, Great Salt Lake at dusk on Sept 1, 2024, Idle Isle Cafe, Idle Isle’s fresh baked pie, Maddox Family Drive In. Deann Armes