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Show Page ID Lakeside Review Wednesday, July 3, 1985 VISITORS CAN paddle plore Antelope Island. canoes, ride bicycles, and SYRACUSE Since long ago, when people first settled in the valleys surrounding the Great Salt Lake, many different projects, ideas, dreams and money have gone into creating recreational fun on the lake. Most projects have given way to the elements; the unpredictable rising or receding of the the lake has flooded or stranded beach houses and docks, roads and amusement rides. The latest attempt, a historical first, is a ferry transportation system going to Antelope Island from Syracuse, where the now submerged causeway rests. ' Although it, is the only ferry service anyone can remember, its not the first boating venture. Years ago, livestock boats took animals to the island. And in the 1800s a floating restaurant cruised along the western side of the island to Garfield Beach. , PAUL SWAN ex- horse-pow- er navigates the ferry, powered by two 40 motors, across the Great Salt Lake. voyage on nally from Amarillo, Texas. named after its The ferry, a inventors. Jack Curry and Jake Luck, When in full operation, the ferries will have crews of two. the boats will take Every half-hovisitors to the island. Supplies will be aboard for emergen- four-ferr- cy former Western Rivers Expedition owners, somewhat represented the y system as it will be in full operation. Western Rivers, owners of the ferry and operators of the islands new concessions, is waiting for permanent awnings to be assembled on the other pontoons, and the seats will be fastened down on the regular boats. Were hoping to have another ready to go by the weekend, said Lynn Keland guide for the first ferler, ry trip. er 40-fo- ot ur over-nig- ht stays. If by chance a storm should catch us, we have sleeping bags, food and radios, Keller said. These waves do get big enough to cause Western Rivers has invested about $40,000 into the recreation venture not including the rafts, which the company already owns. The company operates white water river runs on Green River, and in the Grand Canyon and Cataract Now, the ferry service will follow the causeway route taking 40 people to sandy, white Ridger Beach on the northwest side of the island. Monday was the first ferry cruise with 23 people on board, including four visitors and two local and three crew members. Clarissa Mode, Layton, was the first person to purchase a ticket. Shed heard about the ferry service and had been waiting for it to open. Nine years ago I went across the causeway. When I came back in six years it wasnt there anymore. I like the island. Its different unique. I waited to go on the ferry. out-of-sta- te t f sight-seer- s, Id have bought a ticket no matter what the cost, said Ms. Mode, origi prepare the the lake. CREW MEMBERS for the Canyon in southern Utah. Their investment includes a concession snack bar on Antelope Island serv- ing hamburgers, drinks and snacks; construction, of a ticket booth; purchase of aquacycles, rowboats, life jackets and bicycles; and purchase of a shuttle bus for taking visitors to the island's old ranch house. Ultimately, we will have horse back riding, Keller said. Hopes are that people will want to backpack and hike after disembarking on the island. Accommodations are and picnickavailable for ers. A large enclosed pavilion is up for reservations. Were targeting it toward people, Keller said. One of the common questions tourists ask at the state visitors information center is where is the nearest beach, Keller said. They often want to know how they can go out on the lake. So the operation expects to attract tourists as well as local visitors, he said. After eating hamburgers in the shaded pavillion and sifting sand through their toes, ferry voyagers went to Buffalo Peak to see a view of the lake never seen from the mainland. Buffalo, grazing below the hill, were but black specks punctuating the vastness of the desert island surrounded by a blue, deathly still body ed over-nighte- of water. On the hour-lon- g rs voyage back to Syracuse, shoes and shirts came off and people kicked back for the sleepy ride A NEW ferry service now takes visitors to Antelope Island and departs from the west end of Antelope Drive in Syracuse. in the sun. For more information on prices and 3 or ferry departure times call 942-667- 533-601- 1. LARGE SILVER pontoons provide floatation for, the Antelope Island park ferry now in operation on the Great Salt Lake. (.Jory ly Cfirry! 'jlrcfillnfl CPwos ly iHolerl fJieya v X 1 i hour-lon- g |
