Utah 2008
Day 1; Sunday, June 29, 2008
June 29 finally arrived and it was time to depart on our annual summer ride with my brother, Carl. For many years Carl was accompanied by one of his two sons but on this trip he was to be accompanied by his wife, Marge. Chris and I were looking forward to the trip. Our destination was Utah. We planned to visit some of the national parks in the south part of the state.
Chris and I left home to meet Carl and Marge at their home in south Overland Park. As we turned to go east on Johnson Dr. from Quivira we saw that the “flags for freedom” were being displayed along Johnson Dr. all the way to I-35 in Merriam. The street was lined with U.S. flags. They were thick in front of Shawnee City Hall. It was a beautiful sight.
After gassing up on 151 St near 69 Hwy Chris and I met Carl and Marge at their home. At 11:15 AM we were off on our trip. Our first goal was Greensburg, Kansas, which was devastated by an F5 tornado on May 4, 2007. We took I-35 south to the Cassoday exit, where we made our first pit stop for gas and water. From Cassoday we took a county road, also identified as 150 St, straight west to Newton, where we picked up Hwy 50 west. We went through Hutchinson and caught Hwy 61 south to Pratt, Kansas.
We looked for a restaurant in Pratt and, unfortunately, we decided on Taco Bell. A young man behind the register was unable to operate it efficiently. Carl and Marge did not get what they ordered. The clerk made a few feeble attempts to change the order on the cash register with no luck. He attempted to find someone who knew how to use the cash register with no luck. Carl finally decided to take the food he did not order just to get the show on the road.
After our meal in Taco Hell we took Hwy 54 west to Greensburg, Kansas. All the debris was cleaned up and some new construction had occurred but it was clear that many homes and businesses had not been replaced. We saw the world’s largest hand dug well, which was not destroyed by the tornado.
After gassing up we were back on Hwy 54 west to Hwy 400 west to Dodge City, Kansas. We arrived at the Super 8 motel at 7:15 PM. A Dairy Queen was right next door. How fortuitous!
Today we traveled 357 miles.
Day 2; Monday, June 30, 2008
We got the hell out of Dodge at 6:45 AM, heading west on Hwy 56. It was 61 degrees so we had a cool start to the day. At our first stop of the day, in Elkhart, Kansas, it was 75 degrees. I asked an old man at the gas station if it was usually this cool this time of year. He said no, it has been hitting triple digits for numerous days already this year. He also said it was as dry as it was in the 1930’s during the dust bowl.
We continued west on 56 across the pan handle of Oklahoma into New Mexico. We stopped for lunch at Elida’s Café in Springer, NM. It was scrumptious. If you’re ever there I recommend it for Mexican food.
From Springer we went north on I-25, west on Hwy 58, and west on Hwy 64. On Hwy 58 we saw a heard of buffalo or bison and many small antelope. We also saw pretty purple flowers on some of the cactus.
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We were about 15 to 20 miles out of Taos, NM when it became obvious we would be riding into rain so we stopped to don our rain suits. Carl, Chris, and I put on our rain jackets only. Marge put on her rain jacket and pants. She was the smart one. It was a deluge . . . . with hail. Streams were running across the highway. Large rocks were being washed onto the road. It was quite an adventure.
We spent the night in Taos at the Best Western Kachina Lodge. The rooms were not ready so we had to wait over an hour for housekeeping to clean the rooms. That wouldn’t have been quite so bad but we were sitting around with wet pants and a serious case of swamp butt.
That evening the ladies went shopping while Carl and I went to Wally Mart. Carl bought a set of luggage. He decided the suit case brought from home was too big. When we left the next morning he left his old suit case in his room with a note saying it was free for the taking!
We rode a total of 385 miles today.
Day 3; Tuesday, July 1, 2008
It was 45 degrees when we awoke to blue clear skies. We enjoyed a complimentary hot buffet breakfast at the motel. When we rode away at 8:10 AM it was 59 degrees.
A short distance west of Taos on Hwy 64 we crossed the Rio Grande Gorge. We also passed a subdivision of earth contact homes. It would have been interesting to see inside one of them. About 20 miles east of Amarilla, NM, in the San Juan Mountains and the Carson National Forest we stopped for photos. We crossed the continental divide west of Chama, NM.
We continued west on Hwy 64 to Bloomfield, NM. We had a picnic lunch in a Rotary park located right on the highway. We stopped along the road west of Shiprock, NM to take a photo of Shiprock Peak located south of Hwy 64. We continued west into Arizona, where we turned northeast on Hwy 160, which took us to Four Corners. This place marks the point where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet. There are numerous native American vendors in the area. After some cold beverages we continued north and east on 160 into Colorado and then west on 41 towards Utah.
Colorado Hwy 41 becomes Utah 262 (Carl’s map showed this highway to be 162). We stayed on that highway to Montezuma Creek, where we picked up 163 west into Bluff, UT. The route from Montezuma Creek into Bluff was beautiful. It twisted around and between the bluffs.
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We spent the night at the Recapture Lodge in Bluff. We enjoyed a dip in the pool and had dinner at a new restaurant across the street called the San Juan River Kitchen. The food was good but the waitress did not know the menu and we didn’t get exactly what we thought we would. They had a lot of employees working for not that many customers so I’m not sure how long they’ll be in business.
We rode a total of 325 miles today and the high temperature (around Four Corners) was 97 degrees.
Day 4; Wednesday, July 2, 2008
We left Bluff at 7:00 AM and it was 66 degrees. We traveled south on Hwy 191 to Hwy 163 west, to Hwy 261 north. The scenery was pretty in a desolate sort of way. There were many red rock buttes, bluffs, and mesas. At one point we could see a rainbow on the horizon.
Hwy 261 was interesting. It is in the area of the Valley of the Gods and the Grand Gulch Primitive Area. We came upon a sign warning us of 10% grades, 5 mph switchbacks, and a narrow gravel road one mile ahead. The next sign advised twisty roads and a recommended 5mph for the next 3 miles.
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At this point 261 took us to the top of a bluff via gravel road. Fortunately most of the switchbacks had asphalt on them. The road offered great views and added some excitement to the trip. Part way up the bluff we stopped at a wide spot in the road for some photos and to enjoy the views. Chris noticed something protruding from the bottom of one leg of Marge’s jeans. She reached down and pulled it out. It was a pair of Marge’s undies! They, evidently, had hidden there after the last wash.
We continued north on 261 to Hwy 95 west to Hwy 275 to Natural Bridges National Monument. We paid the entry fee of $3 for each motorcycle rider and passenger and then drove through the park. There are view points near each of the three bridges, Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo. For the more vigorous tourists with more time you can also hike down into the canyon to get a close look at the sandstone bridges. It was a beautiful area and well worth the stop. http://www.nps.gov/nabr/index.htm
We got back on Hwy 95 north towards Glen Canyon. The scenery was spectacular. We stopped near the north end of Glen Canyon for some photos and again at the Hite City overlook, where you could see the Colorado River and the Dirty Devil River flow into the canyon and where Hite City was once located.
We continued north on Hwy 95 to Hanksville, where we stopped for lunch at Blondies. It was a welcomed stop because it had become quite hot. The temperature reached 100 degrees today. Before we left Carl presented us all with what he described as thermal treats. They were neck wraps that we soaked in ice cold water from our ice chest and tied around our necks. They provided pleasant relief from the sun and heat. He said he bought them cheap at Wally Mart.
From Hanksville we took Hwy 24 west towards Torrey, UT. On the way we drove through Capitol Reef National Park. We stopped at the visitor center and took a couple photos. http://www.nps.gov/care
We stopped for the day in Torrey, UT at a new Best Western motel. We stopped at 3:45 PM having traveled a mere 230 miles. We were hot and ready for a break. We enjoyed a dip in the motel’s pool.
Day 5; Thursday, July 3, 2008
We left the motel at 6:35 AM headed south on Hwy 12. It was 59 degrees. As we climbed in elevation, going into the Dixie National Forest and the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness Area, the temperature dropped to 51 degrees. We crossed the summit at 9,600 feet. We observed numerous deer along the highway. There were also numerous cattle, some of which were on the highway requiring a reduction in speed. Just south of the summit we stopped for photos.
Not too far from Escalante, UT we rode a ridge of significant elevation that had a tremendous view of the Escalante Canyons. This was part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We had to stop for some more pictures. http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/grand_staircase.htm
Our journey continued south on Hwy 12 to Hwy 63 south, which took us into Bryce Canyon National Park. The fee for entry to the park is $12 per person. The road into the park has numerous viewing points that provide fantastic views of Bryce Canyon. My two favorites were Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. You could easily spend an entire day in this park. More if you’re a hiker. http://www.nps.gov/brca/
We had a late lunch at the Bryce Canyon Resort Restaurant located at the junction of Hwy 63 and Hwy 12. They served good burgers and onion rings. Chris enjoyed her patty melt and Carl his southwest salad.
As we rode west on Hwy 12 we rode through Red Canyon, which was very scenic (http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/redcanyon.htm). We continued west on Hwy 12 to Hwy 89 north to I-70 east to Salina, UT, where we spent the night in a Super 8 motel. After a refreshing dip in the pool we went to a restaurant, the El Mexicano, located across the parking lot.
We rode a total of 287 miles today and saw some spectacular scenery. Highways 12 and 89 are both marked as scenic routes in my road atlas and I’d have to agree with that. The only downer of the day was the temperature, which reached 100 degrees before we stopped in the early evening.
Day 6; Friday, July 4, 2008
We started at 6:45 AM and the temperature was 72 degrees. We took off east on I-70, which advertised NO SERVICES for 110 miles. Soon after we started we climbed in elevation and the temperature dropped to 52 degrees influencing a stop to put on jackets.
Back eastbound on I-70 Marge had to stop for an emergency #2 so we stopped at a view area about 15 miles west of Green River, UT. They don’t make it obvious that they have restrooms but they did. Marge found relief and we also had a good view of I-70 going through the San Rafael Reef. It was 72 degrees.
After a stop for gas at Green River we continued east on I-70 to Hwy 191 south, which took us to Arches National Park. The entry fee was $5 per person. We drove through the park and saw some pretty places. Before long it was 100 degrees, which detracted from the scenery viewing. Despite the heat we all walked eight tenths of a mile (one way) to Landscape Arch, which is the biggest arch in the park. It was hot and seemed longer than 1.6 miles, but it was worth it. Arches National Park was good but I was somewhat disappointed. I was probably expecting too much based on rave reviews I’d received back home from some friends. http://www.nps.gov/arch/
We continued south on Hwy 191 a few miles into Moab, UT. In Moab my temperature reading was 102 degrees. Carl’s was 104. We stopped around 3:00 PM at the Big Horn Lodge. We had a good dinner at the Moab Brewery and then a cooling dip in the pool. We rode a total of 220 miles today.
That night there was a fireworks display on a nearby bluff, visible to most all people in town. Carl and Marge enjoyed it from outside the motel. Chris watched part of it through our motel window. I missed it as I was catching z’s in the bed.
Day 7; Saturday, July 5, 2006
We departed at 6:40 AM headed for Colorado with a destination of Salida or Canon City. It was 75 degrees. We traveled on Hwy 191 south to La Sal Jct., where we caught Hwy 46 east. Utah Hwy 46 became Colorado Hwy 90. The first ten miles of Hwy 90 included twisties with elevation changes and a few deer sightings. The increase in elevation also decreased the temperature.
Our route continued east on 90 to Hwy 141 south to Naturita, CO, where we stopped for a drink, snack, butt break, and liquid download at the Family Market. The folks working there were very friendly. We continued south on 141 to Hwy 145 east to Hwy 62 east.
Approximately 10 miles west of Ridgway, CO we stopped for some photos of a snow capped mountain range. It reminded me of why I love to ride in Colorado.
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We rode on into Ridgway on 62 and then took Hwy 550 south to Ouray, CO, where the ladies shopped for a couple hours. It was tempting to continue south on 550 along the million dollar highway but after shopping we took off north on Hwy 550 to Montrose, CO, where we started to have a picnic. A rain storm blew in and rained out our picnic. We packed up our food, donned our rain suits, and took off east on Hwy 50 in the rain. We rode past Blue Mesa Reservoir in the Curecanti National Recreation Area, through Gunnison and on to Monarch Pass (11,312 ft), where we stopped for a break and photos. It was 58 degrees at the pass.
We motored east on Hwy 50 into Salida, where we intended to stop for the day. Salida, however, was having some sort of July 4th weekend festival and the motel operators were butt humping tourists. Rates were more than double what they normally are. So we ate dinner at the Windmill Restaurant in Salida and rode on into Canon City where we stayed at the Budget Host Inn on the east side of town. We stopped at 7:35 PM after riding a total of 390 miles. The temperature never exceeded 75 degrees.
Day 8; Sunday, July 6, 2008
We left Canon City at 8:25 AM on a beautiful morning at 74 degrees. We rode east on Hwy 50 to Hwy 115 north into Colorado Springs. Near Ft. Carson, we were joined by my cousin’s husband, Jim, on his Victory motorcycle, who escorted us to the residence of our aunt and uncle. We visited for an hour and then took our aunt, uncle, cousin, and Jim to lunch. We always enjoy our visits with these relatives.
Out of Colorado Springs we rode east on Hwy 24 to Hwy 94 east to Hwy 40 east. We stopped at the Kwik Corner at the junction of Hwy 40 and Hwy 385 in Cheyenne Wells, CO. I enjoyed an iced tea for the amazing price of twenty five cents.
Hwy 40 took us on into Kansas. We caught a rain storm near Sharon Springs. It rained pretty hard but the scary part was the wind. Wind gusts out of the south felt like they’d pick us up and blow us to Oz. Before the rain it was 98 degrees. When we hit the rain it dropped quickly to 70 degrees and eventually to 64. After driving out of the rain, 15 to 20 miles west of Oakley, the temperature rose again into the 80’s before we stopped for the day at the Kansas Kuntry Inn in Oakley, KS.
We enjoyed a picnic dinner in a gazebo by the pool and then a dip in the pool. We rode a total of 284 miles today.
Day 9; Monday, July 7, 2008
We left our motel at 6:10 AM. The temperature started at 68 degrees on what would be an eventful day.
Marge had been wearing a brown leather jacket that used to be worn by our Dad (many years ago). Carl, thinking Marge would want the jacket on this cool morning, put it on his luggage rack on the trunk of his motorcycle. Marge did not put on the jacket. We rode two miles east on Hwy 40 to the intersection with I-70, where we stopped for breakfast at a truck stop. Carl found that the leather jacket fell off the luggage rack onto the tongue of his trailer, where it road, dragging on the road, to the truck stop. The result was minor road rash on the jacket.
We ate breakfast at the Buckhorn Family Restaurant. Not good. Carl asked for crispy hash browns but got rubbery instead. I asked for a well done chopped beef steak but got medium done instead. I would not recommend this restaurant.
We left the truck stop at 7:15 AM and rode east on I-70. I wondered, as I often do, whether or not I locked the lid on my trailer. If not locked it is not latched and it is subject to being blown open and damaged, as happened to a friend the previous year. Chris offered to get off and check it if I would stop. I decided I was worrying for nothing and continued on down the highway. We stopped in Russell, KS 112 miles later. The trailer lid was NOT locked. Fortunately it did not blow open.
At our next stop in Hays, KS Chris and I each got a cold drink from our ice chest, which is secured by bungee cords to a cooler rack mounted on the tongue of my trailer. Before leaving Hays I failed to make certain the bungee cords were secured. Sixty miles later on I-70 Carl saw the rubber mat that goes under my ice chest blow away. He rode up by us and let us know the cooler was about to disembark the cooler rack. As I pulled onto the shoulder it did, leaving a trail of water, ice, beverages, and food. Fortunately all I lost were a few bungee cords and the rubber mat. The cooler, though it suffered some road rash, will live to ride again. I’ve got to remember to check those bungee cords and the trailer locks before taking off!
We took I-70 all the way home, where we arrived around 3:00 PM. We rode a total of 362 miles today.
It was a great trip. Chris and I really enjoyed the company of Carl and Marge and look forward to many rides in the future. Our total mileage for the trip was 2,840 miles.
For more ride photos follow this link: http://picasaweb.google.com/goldwinger.shawnee/Utah2008
June 29 finally arrived and it was time to depart on our annual summer ride with my brother, Carl. For many years Carl was accompanied by one of his two sons but on this trip he was to be accompanied by his wife, Marge. Chris and I were looking forward to the trip. Our destination was Utah. We planned to visit some of the national parks in the south part of the state.
Chris and I left home to meet Carl and Marge at their home in south Overland Park. As we turned to go east on Johnson Dr. from Quivira we saw that the “flags for freedom” were being displayed along Johnson Dr. all the way to I-35 in Merriam. The street was lined with U.S. flags. They were thick in front of Shawnee City Hall. It was a beautiful sight.
After gassing up on 151 St near 69 Hwy Chris and I met Carl and Marge at their home. At 11:15 AM we were off on our trip. Our first goal was Greensburg, Kansas, which was devastated by an F5 tornado on May 4, 2007. We took I-35 south to the Cassoday exit, where we made our first pit stop for gas and water. From Cassoday we took a county road, also identified as 150 St, straight west to Newton, where we picked up Hwy 50 west. We went through Hutchinson and caught Hwy 61 south to Pratt, Kansas.
We looked for a restaurant in Pratt and, unfortunately, we decided on Taco Bell. A young man behind the register was unable to operate it efficiently. Carl and Marge did not get what they ordered. The clerk made a few feeble attempts to change the order on the cash register with no luck. He attempted to find someone who knew how to use the cash register with no luck. Carl finally decided to take the food he did not order just to get the show on the road.
After our meal in Taco Hell we took Hwy 54 west to Greensburg, Kansas. All the debris was cleaned up and some new construction had occurred but it was clear that many homes and businesses had not been replaced. We saw the world’s largest hand dug well, which was not destroyed by the tornado.
After gassing up we were back on Hwy 54 west to Hwy 400 west to Dodge City, Kansas. We arrived at the Super 8 motel at 7:15 PM. A Dairy Queen was right next door. How fortuitous!
Today we traveled 357 miles.
Day 2; Monday, June 30, 2008
We got the hell out of Dodge at 6:45 AM, heading west on Hwy 56. It was 61 degrees so we had a cool start to the day. At our first stop of the day, in Elkhart, Kansas, it was 75 degrees. I asked an old man at the gas station if it was usually this cool this time of year. He said no, it has been hitting triple digits for numerous days already this year. He also said it was as dry as it was in the 1930’s during the dust bowl.
We continued west on 56 across the pan handle of Oklahoma into New Mexico. We stopped for lunch at Elida’s Café in Springer, NM. It was scrumptious. If you’re ever there I recommend it for Mexican food.
From Springer we went north on I-25, west on Hwy 58, and west on Hwy 64. On Hwy 58 we saw a heard of buffalo or bison and many small antelope. We also saw pretty purple flowers on some of the cactus.
We were about 15 to 20 miles out of Taos, NM when it became obvious we would be riding into rain so we stopped to don our rain suits. Carl, Chris, and I put on our rain jackets only. Marge put on her rain jacket and pants. She was the smart one. It was a deluge . . . . with hail. Streams were running across the highway. Large rocks were being washed onto the road. It was quite an adventure.
We spent the night in Taos at the Best Western Kachina Lodge. The rooms were not ready so we had to wait over an hour for housekeeping to clean the rooms. That wouldn’t have been quite so bad but we were sitting around with wet pants and a serious case of swamp butt.
That evening the ladies went shopping while Carl and I went to Wally Mart. Carl bought a set of luggage. He decided the suit case brought from home was too big. When we left the next morning he left his old suit case in his room with a note saying it was free for the taking!
We rode a total of 385 miles today.
Day 3; Tuesday, July 1, 2008
It was 45 degrees when we awoke to blue clear skies. We enjoyed a complimentary hot buffet breakfast at the motel. When we rode away at 8:10 AM it was 59 degrees.
A short distance west of Taos on Hwy 64 we crossed the Rio Grande Gorge. We also passed a subdivision of earth contact homes. It would have been interesting to see inside one of them. About 20 miles east of Amarilla, NM, in the San Juan Mountains and the Carson National Forest we stopped for photos. We crossed the continental divide west of Chama, NM.
We continued west on Hwy 64 to Bloomfield, NM. We had a picnic lunch in a Rotary park located right on the highway. We stopped along the road west of Shiprock, NM to take a photo of Shiprock Peak located south of Hwy 64. We continued west into Arizona, where we turned northeast on Hwy 160, which took us to Four Corners. This place marks the point where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet. There are numerous native American vendors in the area. After some cold beverages we continued north and east on 160 into Colorado and then west on 41 towards Utah.
Colorado Hwy 41 becomes Utah 262 (Carl’s map showed this highway to be 162). We stayed on that highway to Montezuma Creek, where we picked up 163 west into Bluff, UT. The route from Montezuma Creek into Bluff was beautiful. It twisted around and between the bluffs.
We spent the night at the Recapture Lodge in Bluff. We enjoyed a dip in the pool and had dinner at a new restaurant across the street called the San Juan River Kitchen. The food was good but the waitress did not know the menu and we didn’t get exactly what we thought we would. They had a lot of employees working for not that many customers so I’m not sure how long they’ll be in business.
We rode a total of 325 miles today and the high temperature (around Four Corners) was 97 degrees.
Day 4; Wednesday, July 2, 2008
We left Bluff at 7:00 AM and it was 66 degrees. We traveled south on Hwy 191 to Hwy 163 west, to Hwy 261 north. The scenery was pretty in a desolate sort of way. There were many red rock buttes, bluffs, and mesas. At one point we could see a rainbow on the horizon.
Hwy 261 was interesting. It is in the area of the Valley of the Gods and the Grand Gulch Primitive Area. We came upon a sign warning us of 10% grades, 5 mph switchbacks, and a narrow gravel road one mile ahead. The next sign advised twisty roads and a recommended 5mph for the next 3 miles.
At this point 261 took us to the top of a bluff via gravel road. Fortunately most of the switchbacks had asphalt on them. The road offered great views and added some excitement to the trip. Part way up the bluff we stopped at a wide spot in the road for some photos and to enjoy the views. Chris noticed something protruding from the bottom of one leg of Marge’s jeans. She reached down and pulled it out. It was a pair of Marge’s undies! They, evidently, had hidden there after the last wash.
We continued north on 261 to Hwy 95 west to Hwy 275 to Natural Bridges National Monument. We paid the entry fee of $3 for each motorcycle rider and passenger and then drove through the park. There are view points near each of the three bridges, Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo. For the more vigorous tourists with more time you can also hike down into the canyon to get a close look at the sandstone bridges. It was a beautiful area and well worth the stop. http://www.nps.gov/nabr/index.htm
We got back on Hwy 95 north towards Glen Canyon. The scenery was spectacular. We stopped near the north end of Glen Canyon for some photos and again at the Hite City overlook, where you could see the Colorado River and the Dirty Devil River flow into the canyon and where Hite City was once located.
We continued north on Hwy 95 to Hanksville, where we stopped for lunch at Blondies. It was a welcomed stop because it had become quite hot. The temperature reached 100 degrees today. Before we left Carl presented us all with what he described as thermal treats. They were neck wraps that we soaked in ice cold water from our ice chest and tied around our necks. They provided pleasant relief from the sun and heat. He said he bought them cheap at Wally Mart.
From Hanksville we took Hwy 24 west towards Torrey, UT. On the way we drove through Capitol Reef National Park. We stopped at the visitor center and took a couple photos. http://www.nps.gov/care
We stopped for the day in Torrey, UT at a new Best Western motel. We stopped at 3:45 PM having traveled a mere 230 miles. We were hot and ready for a break. We enjoyed a dip in the motel’s pool.
Day 5; Thursday, July 3, 2008
We left the motel at 6:35 AM headed south on Hwy 12. It was 59 degrees. As we climbed in elevation, going into the Dixie National Forest and the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness Area, the temperature dropped to 51 degrees. We crossed the summit at 9,600 feet. We observed numerous deer along the highway. There were also numerous cattle, some of which were on the highway requiring a reduction in speed. Just south of the summit we stopped for photos.
Not too far from Escalante, UT we rode a ridge of significant elevation that had a tremendous view of the Escalante Canyons. This was part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We had to stop for some more pictures. http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/grand_staircase.htm
Our journey continued south on Hwy 12 to Hwy 63 south, which took us into Bryce Canyon National Park. The fee for entry to the park is $12 per person. The road into the park has numerous viewing points that provide fantastic views of Bryce Canyon. My two favorites were Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. You could easily spend an entire day in this park. More if you’re a hiker. http://www.nps.gov/brca/
We had a late lunch at the Bryce Canyon Resort Restaurant located at the junction of Hwy 63 and Hwy 12. They served good burgers and onion rings. Chris enjoyed her patty melt and Carl his southwest salad.
As we rode west on Hwy 12 we rode through Red Canyon, which was very scenic (http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/redcanyon.htm). We continued west on Hwy 12 to Hwy 89 north to I-70 east to Salina, UT, where we spent the night in a Super 8 motel. After a refreshing dip in the pool we went to a restaurant, the El Mexicano, located across the parking lot.
We rode a total of 287 miles today and saw some spectacular scenery. Highways 12 and 89 are both marked as scenic routes in my road atlas and I’d have to agree with that. The only downer of the day was the temperature, which reached 100 degrees before we stopped in the early evening.
Day 6; Friday, July 4, 2008
We started at 6:45 AM and the temperature was 72 degrees. We took off east on I-70, which advertised NO SERVICES for 110 miles. Soon after we started we climbed in elevation and the temperature dropped to 52 degrees influencing a stop to put on jackets.
Back eastbound on I-70 Marge had to stop for an emergency #2 so we stopped at a view area about 15 miles west of Green River, UT. They don’t make it obvious that they have restrooms but they did. Marge found relief and we also had a good view of I-70 going through the San Rafael Reef. It was 72 degrees.
After a stop for gas at Green River we continued east on I-70 to Hwy 191 south, which took us to Arches National Park. The entry fee was $5 per person. We drove through the park and saw some pretty places. Before long it was 100 degrees, which detracted from the scenery viewing. Despite the heat we all walked eight tenths of a mile (one way) to Landscape Arch, which is the biggest arch in the park. It was hot and seemed longer than 1.6 miles, but it was worth it. Arches National Park was good but I was somewhat disappointed. I was probably expecting too much based on rave reviews I’d received back home from some friends. http://www.nps.gov/arch/
We continued south on Hwy 191 a few miles into Moab, UT. In Moab my temperature reading was 102 degrees. Carl’s was 104. We stopped around 3:00 PM at the Big Horn Lodge. We had a good dinner at the Moab Brewery and then a cooling dip in the pool. We rode a total of 220 miles today.
That night there was a fireworks display on a nearby bluff, visible to most all people in town. Carl and Marge enjoyed it from outside the motel. Chris watched part of it through our motel window. I missed it as I was catching z’s in the bed.
Day 7; Saturday, July 5, 2006
We departed at 6:40 AM headed for Colorado with a destination of Salida or Canon City. It was 75 degrees. We traveled on Hwy 191 south to La Sal Jct., where we caught Hwy 46 east. Utah Hwy 46 became Colorado Hwy 90. The first ten miles of Hwy 90 included twisties with elevation changes and a few deer sightings. The increase in elevation also decreased the temperature.
Our route continued east on 90 to Hwy 141 south to Naturita, CO, where we stopped for a drink, snack, butt break, and liquid download at the Family Market. The folks working there were very friendly. We continued south on 141 to Hwy 145 east to Hwy 62 east.
Approximately 10 miles west of Ridgway, CO we stopped for some photos of a snow capped mountain range. It reminded me of why I love to ride in Colorado.
We rode on into Ridgway on 62 and then took Hwy 550 south to Ouray, CO, where the ladies shopped for a couple hours. It was tempting to continue south on 550 along the million dollar highway but after shopping we took off north on Hwy 550 to Montrose, CO, where we started to have a picnic. A rain storm blew in and rained out our picnic. We packed up our food, donned our rain suits, and took off east on Hwy 50 in the rain. We rode past Blue Mesa Reservoir in the Curecanti National Recreation Area, through Gunnison and on to Monarch Pass (11,312 ft), where we stopped for a break and photos. It was 58 degrees at the pass.
We motored east on Hwy 50 into Salida, where we intended to stop for the day. Salida, however, was having some sort of July 4th weekend festival and the motel operators were butt humping tourists. Rates were more than double what they normally are. So we ate dinner at the Windmill Restaurant in Salida and rode on into Canon City where we stayed at the Budget Host Inn on the east side of town. We stopped at 7:35 PM after riding a total of 390 miles. The temperature never exceeded 75 degrees.
Day 8; Sunday, July 6, 2008
We left Canon City at 8:25 AM on a beautiful morning at 74 degrees. We rode east on Hwy 50 to Hwy 115 north into Colorado Springs. Near Ft. Carson, we were joined by my cousin’s husband, Jim, on his Victory motorcycle, who escorted us to the residence of our aunt and uncle. We visited for an hour and then took our aunt, uncle, cousin, and Jim to lunch. We always enjoy our visits with these relatives.
Out of Colorado Springs we rode east on Hwy 24 to Hwy 94 east to Hwy 40 east. We stopped at the Kwik Corner at the junction of Hwy 40 and Hwy 385 in Cheyenne Wells, CO. I enjoyed an iced tea for the amazing price of twenty five cents.
Hwy 40 took us on into Kansas. We caught a rain storm near Sharon Springs. It rained pretty hard but the scary part was the wind. Wind gusts out of the south felt like they’d pick us up and blow us to Oz. Before the rain it was 98 degrees. When we hit the rain it dropped quickly to 70 degrees and eventually to 64. After driving out of the rain, 15 to 20 miles west of Oakley, the temperature rose again into the 80’s before we stopped for the day at the Kansas Kuntry Inn in Oakley, KS.
We enjoyed a picnic dinner in a gazebo by the pool and then a dip in the pool. We rode a total of 284 miles today.
Day 9; Monday, July 7, 2008
We left our motel at 6:10 AM. The temperature started at 68 degrees on what would be an eventful day.
Marge had been wearing a brown leather jacket that used to be worn by our Dad (many years ago). Carl, thinking Marge would want the jacket on this cool morning, put it on his luggage rack on the trunk of his motorcycle. Marge did not put on the jacket. We rode two miles east on Hwy 40 to the intersection with I-70, where we stopped for breakfast at a truck stop. Carl found that the leather jacket fell off the luggage rack onto the tongue of his trailer, where it road, dragging on the road, to the truck stop. The result was minor road rash on the jacket.
We ate breakfast at the Buckhorn Family Restaurant. Not good. Carl asked for crispy hash browns but got rubbery instead. I asked for a well done chopped beef steak but got medium done instead. I would not recommend this restaurant.
We left the truck stop at 7:15 AM and rode east on I-70. I wondered, as I often do, whether or not I locked the lid on my trailer. If not locked it is not latched and it is subject to being blown open and damaged, as happened to a friend the previous year. Chris offered to get off and check it if I would stop. I decided I was worrying for nothing and continued on down the highway. We stopped in Russell, KS 112 miles later. The trailer lid was NOT locked. Fortunately it did not blow open.
At our next stop in Hays, KS Chris and I each got a cold drink from our ice chest, which is secured by bungee cords to a cooler rack mounted on the tongue of my trailer. Before leaving Hays I failed to make certain the bungee cords were secured. Sixty miles later on I-70 Carl saw the rubber mat that goes under my ice chest blow away. He rode up by us and let us know the cooler was about to disembark the cooler rack. As I pulled onto the shoulder it did, leaving a trail of water, ice, beverages, and food. Fortunately all I lost were a few bungee cords and the rubber mat. The cooler, though it suffered some road rash, will live to ride again. I’ve got to remember to check those bungee cords and the trailer locks before taking off!
We took I-70 all the way home, where we arrived around 3:00 PM. We rode a total of 362 miles today.
It was a great trip. Chris and I really enjoyed the company of Carl and Marge and look forward to many rides in the future. Our total mileage for the trip was 2,840 miles.
For more ride photos follow this link: http://picasaweb.google.com/goldwinger.shawnee/Utah2008
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