Helper - Vernal, Utah - May 13-15

We made a one day stop in Helper, Utah but just had time for a round of golf at Carbon County Golf Course and back to the coach to head out the next morning for a two day stop in Vernal, Utah.  One of the famous sites in Vernal is Split Rock.  The Mountain is literally split down the middle.  They say that it probably occurred because the water level was above the mountain top and eroded the mountain through the middle as opposed to the Green River going around the mountain.  You can see the split where one part of the mountain is a light grey and the other part, behind it, is dark.

 

In the area of Split Rock is Dinosaur National Monument

A short way from the visitor's center is the dinosaur bones display site

When you open the door and enter there is an "Oh Wow" moment.  The entire wall of the mountain shows actual dinosaur bones in their original location.

This view gives you a better idea of how easy it is to see these remnants of actual dinosaurs!

We took advantage of the beautiful day and packed a picnic lunch and went to one of the two campgrounds in the park.  After lunch we made a stop to see an ancient Indian site and saw some authentic Indian art!

While we in Vernal we also made a stop at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum - now that's a mouthful!!

 

The entrance provides a great perspective of the unbelievable size of these giants who walked the earth many, many years ago.

The other displays that gave us a real understanding of the size of dinosaurs included one that showed the size of the foot of a dinosaur compared to ours.

 

From the Dinosaur monument we appreciated this enlightening display - check out the "tonnage" of these large lizards!

 

And, just for fun we have the "we were there" photo in front of a Wooly Mammoth - yup these guys actually did walk the earth - too bad they are gone!

 

We played golf at Dinaland golf course - but no dino's anywhere.  Then we went out for dinner at The Quarry - one of the best steaks we have ever had!!  Now its on to Rock Springs, Wyoming.