Average Speed: 11.45
Max Speed: 26.03
Total Miles: 1,262
It's hot down here in the lowlands! Pretty easy day today but the road sucked - no shoulder and lots of truck traffic. Oil & gas really big around here too. I think the road itself is the major factor determining the quality of the ride - more than traffic, wind, sun, climbs and desolation.
Scenery becoming more awesome by the mile.
Leaving Dinosaur, CO
This photo is dedicated to Stevie Hasti's enthusiasm for Utah though I would have thought his enthusiasm would be more seasonal.
The first two vehicles overtaking me in Utah I thought were trying to kill me because they both hit the rumble strip causing me to lurch into the weeds. Then I noticed Utah also has a rumble strip on the center line - a really good idea, one to which I'm not accustomed yet.
I think this is part of Blue Mountain. It rises 2,000 ft above the valley floor. It is a favorite launch for hang-gliders who can rise to 15,000 ft on thermals and travel hundreds of miles.
I had been hearing a loud chirping along the roadside and I reminded of the Redwing Blackbirds back in SD. No birds were evident here and I finally realized it was prairie dogs - thousands of them.
Geologic time right before your eyes.
Green River crossing in Jensen, UT. Yesterday I saw an old bus towing a trailer with a couple of large rubber river rafts. Now I realize they were putting in on the Yampa some place east and floating through the Dinosaur Monument, joining up with the Green and ending up here in Jensen - the River Rafting Company in Jensen was a big clue. That trip must take several days - man, the bucket list just keeps getting longer.
An Adopt-a-Highway sign coming into Jensen was sponsored by the Militia of NE Utah. And just as I was feeling like a stranger in a strange land, I guy walked into the little cafe in Jensen, where I was taking a break, wearing a white cap that had printed across the back, Born Again Pagan. Not so far from home after all.
More spectacularity, spectacularness, spectaculardom....
And then in Vernal, there were all ages of cub scouts and boy scouts swarming all over Vernal's contribution to perpetual war, the kids all future militia members no doubt.
Five days to Salt Lake, I hope.
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteThose photos are almost as breathtaking as Patrick's pics from Mt Ritter. Three days in the fog of the White Mountains at a grand total of 5000 ft simply reminds me of how spectacular the west is. Cali or bust.
"Utah does have at least one group calling itself a militia. The Militia of Northeastern Utah has 37 active members and about 50 other supporters, mostly living in the Vernal area, said Neil Hillis, the militia's commander.
ReplyDeleteThe Militia of Northeastern Utah trains with firearms but does not bear hostility toward local police, Hillis said. In fact, Hillis said, the group's bylaws require members to comply with police to the extent the U.S. Constitution requires. The militia also runs background checks of prospective members, he said.
"I don't view us as being anti-government," Hillis said. "We are pro-freedom and pro-Constitution, and we feel a lot of our rights are being taken away and something needs to be done."
Apparently this militia is keen on preserving its right to Adopt Highways.
You're right, Steve, it's hard to see Utah mountains without powder filled runs tumbling down the sides. Your pics, though, sure make me want to do a western trip in the Summer.
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