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Published: July 22nd 2014
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This is my catch up blog from the last 2 days. Helli has told you where we are in Utah and how strong Utah impacts her spiritually. Now I can tell you how it impacted me the last 2 days.
After over one hundred full days on the bikes in B.C. across Canada and around the U.S., Saturday’s ride was by far the most scenic day we have had. Riding from Torrey, Utah to St. George was nonstop WOW!
Capitol Reef Park was an unexpected bonus, we had no idea what was there. We are also so glad we made a mistake and rode all the way through it before we turned around to see it all again.
From Torrey taking highway 12 south was something I could not believe. From the changing terrain, views, cattle on the road, almost zero traffic and then a piece of road that cannot be described unless you RIDE it. It is called Hell’s Backbone. It’s a perfect description. The road runs along a ridge separating two canyons. Each canyon is approximately 2,000 feet deep. At several points the ridge is only as wide as the road…….seriously. There are no guard rails
and only a couple of pull outs. A few of the pictures we took at the top were of the canyons below. As we road along you are so close to the sides that when you look down you get vertigo. Scared the hell’s backbone out of me. All I heard on the intercom was exactly what I was feeling, ( Holy ------,-----and ---je------ ). All I could say back was more of the same. We stopped for a break and all I could wonder was how that route is even legal.
It didn’t stop there, continuing south on highway 12 brought us to Bryce Canyon. Finally some place I have actually heard of. Again the changes were so dramatic. From rolling pastures and cattle to arid dessert rock sculptures. River beds that were dry, yet evidence that at any time they could become rushing torrents. It was near Bryce Canyon that we encountered yet another thunder storm (see pictures of distant rain). We actually enjoyed the relief the cloud cover gave us from the sun. It hovered around 95 degrees all day.
We rode differently today taking as many breaks and longer breaks with no real care
of time. It was a nice change and we could both notice a difference having no urgency.
Continuing south we rode towards Zion National Park. The main reason for coming here was other bikers we met along the way. It was a common point that many had told us about. Again we knew nothing about the park and really had no expectations.
Another $24.00 dollars for the two bikes and we are into the park. First thing we saw was more damn buffalo. Then we found out what everyone was talking about. The mountains!!!!! It’s as though you come around a corner and get slapped in the face by them. Shear rock walls towering up to 7000 ft. The road winds through them, creating the perfect natural ride. Two smaller tunnels were just a taste of what was to come. Within ten minutes of entering the park we entered a tunnel that turns out to be over a mile long. We had no idea it was there. So riding through it we were like a couple of school kids laughing and chirping on the intercoms of when will this end. It is a crudely made tunnel with no
lighting. As we were riding we had our GPS’s on and the light shining back in your face made it difficult to see the road. So we had to do it 2 more times! Once through the tunnel we had to descend several thousand feet to the valley floor. To do this there are several switch backs with a speed limit of 20 miles per hour. We could see the road on the GPS so I decided it would be a good idea to film it. Hopefully we can share that with you in the next day or so. By now it is closing in on 100 degrees and we decide to head for the hotel. Not sure what’s calling to us more, a pool or a cold beer. Both!!!!
So trying to describe the day …….it was like going to a concert and finding out the Beatles, Elvis, The Rolling Stones and Johnny Cash (just for you Jim) were all playing. It was overload. So much to take in all at once I am not sure you appreciate it all.
We had to go back to Zion for a full day on Sunday, even that was not
enough.
Today it’s off to Vegas: talk about a contrast. Oh well, another pool and another beer calls and we feel we need to answer.
Not many pictures today. Instead, a treat. A 6 minute video for you. Here is the link in YouTube. !!
Judi
non-member comment
Awesome!
Thank you, thank you Ian for the awesome video. I must say I felt a bit woozy going around so of those corners but the scenery was spectacular. Bob and I rode the Pacific Marine Highway today,Lake Cowichan, Port Renfrew, Sooke and home. Great day but quite boring after reading your blog and seeing the photos and video. Be safe!!