Day 34 – July 31, 2003

Colorless and Quick

Ride from Green River, Utah to St. George, Utah

We were up early this morning because I remember this part of the ride from last year and I remember it being extremely hot, windy, and barren. We managed to get on the road before it started to get hot and we made good time. As it turned out, there were clouds for a good portion of the ride and the wind didn’t bother us near as much without the extreme heat. As we rode through the town of Green River, I was surprised by the actual Green River. I didn’t think there would be any water in it but it was quite wide and full of water. As we rode across the state and through the canyons, you can’t help being impressed with the sheer expanse of the terrain and the size of the gouged out gullies. As we topped each rise, there was another picture that should be on a wall somewhere. Still it is about as colorless and any place I can think of. I am aware that the colors are there, and you can see a lot of wonderful sights if you take the time too look, but the large picture is so large with no color, you have to look little to see anything. Little things are can be very curious. I saw a fence that was built all the way to the top of a giant rock that was at least 50 miles from anywhere. What are they trying to keep out, or in? Nothing can climb that high, and if it can, it deserves to get out. Looking at the road from up high, it looks like the road was either carved by lasers, or maybe tracks left by a hot rod spinning it’s tires.

We finally cross into the Fish Lake National Forest and the scenery changes. The canyons and the carved out roads are still there, but we see green. Trees, and brush and deer and elk crossing signs every couple of miles. I look down at my speedometer and I notice that there are 4’s all the way across. I don’t know what that has to do with anything, but it seems worth noting. One problem with this part of the ride is the wind combined with the trucks. The wind created by the trucks is worse than the regular wind. It tends to knock you around like a giant blower being dragged back and forth in front of you. Add to that the rocks that they throw up when they pass you, and it can get real annoying. We were riding about 75 (the speed limit) most of the day and the trucks like to pass you. At one point my dew rag was actually blown from my head and I had to stop and walk back about 150 yards to get it. Anyway we go to St. George and I figured I’d rather stop a little early and get this stuff caught up and give Karen’s foot a break than to try to make it to Vegas. Tomorrow if we get up early enough, we might even make it home. So if you are our riding on Friday, maybe I’ll see you on the byeways…