We came to this isolated part of Utah because we had lucked out and scored tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime event- the Sesquicentennial of the Golden Spike.

Wanting to be there when it all began, we camped nearby.
Everyone who was anyone was there.


Since Steve and I had arrived the evening before, we were there before the thousands, and had the wonderful opportunity to see the Jupitor and No.119 trains arrive. Wow!








Key to this year's commemoration was an ardent effort to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of marginalized and previously ignored railroad workers. With a huge majority of the workforce being Chinese, it was wonderful to see overdue recognition given.




While waiting in an impossibly long line for the United States Postal Service, I was interviewed by Tim Vandenack, a reporter for Ogden's Standard-Examiner. His article covering today is great, and it quotes me.
"Stamps, at least in part, drew Denise Haerr and her husband Steve from their home in South Lake Tahoe, California. The U.S. Postal Service issued a new commemorative stamp Friday marking the sesquicentennial anniversary and she wanted to get a first-issue version."
She’s “a history buff, letter writer, lover of stamps,” she said, waiting in a long line to get the stamp. “I’m a lover of the U.S. Postal Service.” All so true!
How incredible it was to be there at the Golden Spike National Historical Park at Promontory Summit. We were two in a crowd of thousands, all gathered to mark the most famous moment in American railroading and one of the seminal events in U.S. history... May 10, 1869, a date to remember. I know May 10, 2019 will be a date we will never forget.