California Trip; Days 14 and 15

On Thursday morning, June 24, Gary drove to the Mountain Home, ID police department to attempt contact with Chief John Walter, a former co-worker of his.  Larry and I also know John from his days in Prairie Village.  John drove out to the hotel and we all got to howdy him and talk for awhile.

We departed Mountain home eastbound on Hwy 20 at 8:40 am.  It was mostly cloudy and 68 degrees.  We stopped at Silver Creek for a break.DSCN1447 Chris was impressed that this place had three bathrooms (men’s, women’s, and unisex).

Further east on Hwy 20 I saw something I’d never seen before on a public highway . . . . a cattle drive.DSCN1452 It was interesting but made for a messy roadway.

Hwy 20 here is called the Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway.  It was definitely a pretty ride.  The craters part of the name comes from the Craters of the Moon National Monument.DSCN1464We drove the 7 mile route through the park.  It was interesting to see all the lava rock.

While we were driving through Arco, ID we noticed large white numbers on the butte near town.  It looked like each graduating class posted their year on the butte.DSCN1483

We stopped for the day in Salt Lake City, UT at the downtown Rodeway Inn.  Carl, Marge, Chris, and I visited the Temple Square (Mormon buildings and grounds) in downtown Salt Lake City.  The buildings and grounds were quite impressive.  We got to hear a portion of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice.  Chris and I then drove west on I-80 to see the Great Salt Lake, just to say we did.  It was very near dark when we arrived.  We rode 455 miles today.

On Friday, June 25 we departed Salt Lake City at 8:15 am.  It was sunny and 68 but as we rode to higher altitudes east of the city the temperature dropped to as low as 61.  On I-80 we saw a car partially engulfed in flames on the side of the road.

On Highway 40 east of Heber City, UT we encountered horses running across the highway.  I’m still waiting to see a wild bear.

We tried to see the Dinosaur National Monument in eastern Utah and western Colorado but it was closed for repairs (as it was about 3 years ago when we were here).  The closest we got to a dinosaur was a big pink one in Vernal, UT.

DSCN1564a

We had a late lunch at Lou’s in Maybell, CO.  The food was very good and the staff very friendly.

We stopped for the day at the Rabbit Ears Motel in Steamboat Springs, CO.  Very nice accommodations.DSCN1569 The high temperature today was 90 and it was 88 when we stopped.  Later that evening when we walked downtown it was 76 and there was a brief period of light rain.  We played Farkle again and Larry won.

We rode 350 miles today.  We’ve had a great trip.  We hope to ride through Rocky Mountain National Park tomorrow but saw on the news tonight that there is a wildfire going on there.

For more pictures of days 14 and 15 click on the following link: http://picasaweb.google.com/goldwinger.shawnee/CaliforniaTripDays14And15?feat=directlink

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