We have visited EBR-1 just once, on Memorial Day, May 27, 2002. I believe that was the first day they were open for tours that season. It was a nice clear day, and we were returning to Utah from a camping and hiking trip to Craters of the Moon National Monument, not too far to the north of EBR-1. We had seen the signs on the highway and decided to stop and see what was up.

The site is basically an isolated cluster of buildings with a large parking area, several outside exhibits of experimental atomic engines that were intended to propel airplanes, and a picnic area. We went inside for the guided tour. They run you through a brief lecture on atomic power, its benefits, draw backs, and how it works. Then they take you through the facility.

All of the dials and switches and buttons and analog read outs seem so primitive by today's standards. It makes one wonder how they succeeded without our modern technology to assist them.

After the guided tour one is free to roam around and look more closely at everything. Including the remote manipulation devices, which are quite fun to play with. The whole thing is a little spooky, at times, when you realize that there is radioactive substances contained within the site. But everything is monitored and seems to be safe.

It is a fascinating tour and well worth an hour or two to stretch your legs and learn something about how our atomic age began.