This is the observation line at the World of Speed, an event held every September on the Bonneville Salt Flats. World of Speed, a five-day celebration of velocity staged near Wendover, Utah, is an event in which drivers attempt to establish new speed records for certain classes of vehicles.

About every ten or fifteen minutes, a vehicle---car, truck, motorcycle, or "other"---zoomed down the straight course, making noise and sometimes sending a rooster tail of salt spray into the air.

For safety's sake, observers were kept a quarter of a mile (0.4km) away from the course. This distance made it difficult to get an idea of vehicle speed. I confess that the dead time between runs was a bit boring. Nevertheless, I reveled in the fact that my attendance would enable me to later say "I've been there!"

It was great fun to wander through the huge pit area, looking at all the vehicles, trailers, and related support equipment. This had to be the world's largest collection of blue tarps: many were nailed down to keep engine oil from contaminating the salt. Shade canopies abounded too.

Thanks to an anonymous event attendee for taking my picture.

The next day I sat atop Floating Island, the small mountain in the distance.