6/29 Dirty Devil CP, UT; 6/30 Torrey, UT

This will be a double post covering the last two days.

Monday 6/29 - After leaving Blanding the route joined UT 95, one of the most scenic drives in the US. After traveling through juniper and pinion tree mesa, the road dipped into Comb Wash and then went through a cut in Comb Ridge, a feature that runs north-south for more than 100 miles. That started a 12 mile 2000’ climb and subsequent descent into spectacular red rock formations, yellow slick rock, and winding narrow canyons, all typical of southern Utah. Traffic was very light although we did see five other cyclists including our Korean friend. He left Blanding at 5 AM with the intention of riding all 122 miles to the next town. We know he made Hite on the Colorado River at Lake Powell as Sally saw him at the store there. We hope he made it the rest of the way.

As for us, after 83 miles, we camped at Dirty Devil Camp Ground about five miles west of Hite with a view of Lake Powell and the rock formations. Lake Powell is down many feet so the marina at Hite is effectively out of business. We dined on a pasta/rice/chicken/peas/corn one dish meal and canned fruit. What better way to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. Right Sally?

Tuesday 6/30 –We had a good night at our campsite and were on the road by 7:15. Do you know that large rock walls that bake in the sun all day don’t lose much heat? We had a built in heater under us all night. Around the first turn in the middle of the climb up from the Colorado River who should we see but our Korean friend and he had linked up with another young cyclist we had met from South Carolina. So common sense had prevailed after all. The route started through a high red rock walled canyon that climbed out to wide open range land. It remained open until we reached Capital Reef National Park. Today was quite warm and so passage through draws with rocks close to the road on both sides was very warm. Bob’s lasting memory of the park will be the flies that, because of a tailwind, could keep up with him and were biting through the bike shorts! We ended the ride at Torrey, UT having covered 89 miles. After a much needed nice dinner we went back to the park to drive the scenic road along the rock fold making up much of the park. We are pleased to continue to find flowers and grasses even in this very dry area.

These are only a sampling of the many pictures we are taking. We will figure out how to publish a larger album when we get home if there is interest.

Lastly, thank you to all who recognized our anniversary. Needless to say, it will be a memorable one.