A view marred by noise

(c) 2010 Lydia Hinshaw

Pretty nice view from our campsite

WILLARD, UT -- Our only real plan for this trip has been not to have much of a plan at all. Flexibility is our byword.
Usually that works out pretty well. It certainly did Tuesday night, when we decided the private campground we'd intended to visit was too expensive. Nearby, we stumbled into Willard Bay State Park.
On the map, Willard Bay looks like a part of the Great Salt Lake, so I was surprised to taste the water and find it not salty at all. Turns out the "bay" is actually a freshwater reservoir separated from the Great Salt Lake by a dike.
For $16, we got a private, waterfront campsite. It was occupied by a covey of quail who departed in a noisy huff when we arrived.
We got to enjoy a nice sunset. Our few human neighbors were out of sight behind thick vegetation.
It wasn't the perfect campsite. If I knew how to add sound effects, you would be hearing traffic noise.
The campground is only a few hundred yards from I-15/84, and just on the other side of the expressway is a mountain that towers 5,000 feet above the road. The mountain bounces the roar of every semi back down toward the bay.

Even my best earplugs weren't much help.