Moto Trip Day 7 Capitol Reef

Breakfast with my German neighbors, then hide in the tent for an hour while the rain beats down  

Historic cabin

The Noton Road

The Noton Road

Finally, the sun came out and I headed for the backcountry Noton Road - paved for a few

miles, then turning to dirt. Panoramic, stark views. Hike to see a nice set of Anasazi, petroglyphs, then took the 10 mile scenic drive to Capitol Gorge where the Mormons blasted a road through the reef for easier travel. This was the only road through the reef until 1962.

Capitol Reef Scenic Drive

Capitol Reef Scenic Drive

Capitol Reef Scenic Drive

Time for dinner. Halfway through my prep when the heavens REALLY open up and I scramble for my tent to avoid a good soaking. 

30 minutes later the skies clear and I resume dinner, although the occasional cracks of thunder still roll through the canyon. 

Moto Trip Day 6 Capitol Reef

Riding from Bryce to Capitol Reef the scenery was stark and the day was hot (92 degrees). I was ok as long as I kept moving and had airflow, but stopping for any reason caused extreme discomfort, encased as I am in my rainproof riding suit.  See my road way below?

My Road Far Below

A pretty side trip involved taking the Burr Trail (an old partially paved, driving-cattle-to-market route) south from Boulder 17 miles up and back along a cool sandstone river canyon (the shade was really welcome.  No phone or internet since Bryce Canyon, and won't likely be until Near Durango. 

The Burr Trail Marker

The Burr Trail

Arriving in Fruita Campground, (Capitol Reef NP), I set up camp, met my German neighbors Martin, Maria, Anna, & Tobias, then set off on foot for the historic Gifford house where the park sells delicious homemade fruit pies and fresh fruit (currently peaches) from the many historic orchard trees managed by the park. Yum!!  I got strawberry-rhubarb. Double yum!

Fruita Strawberry-Ruhbarb Pie

An unexpected surprise: a woodwind quintet from the Utah Symphony Orchestra would perform for an hour at the campground amphitheater! My German neighbors and I headed for the performance and were not disappointed.   

Woodwind Quintet from the Utah Symphony Orchestra Serenades Us

Moto Trip Day 5 Bryce Canyon

Bryce is so lovely, even in spite of the flocks of tourists. Hearing lots of French and German.

Panoramic View

Lovely Hoodoos

I spent the evening with a lovely Dutch family camped near me: Wynerd, Minnie and Jantine Sonnenberg. We drank wine, told stories and discussed world politics until late. 

Family Sonnenberg

Wynerd, Minnie and Jantine

Moto Trip Day 4 Bryce Canyon

Riding today on Hwy 89 and 12 through rural Utah. Pretty, well kept farms and towns. Surprisingly, there were many wildflowers still in bloom.  

Abandoned Cabin

Wildflowers

Thistle in bloom

Sunflowers

My campsite at Cannonville KOA, Bryce Canyon. 

Full Moon

Moto Trip Day 3 Northern Utah

Beautiful ride through northern Utah. Pretty canyon rides, 4 mountain passes and not too much traffic on my way spend the night at Palisades State Park near Sterling Utah. 

Probably the worst campsite I ever had to pay for. $20 gets me a small patch of grass surrounded by concrete, next to a large group with unattended continuously crying toddlers and in front of the boat ramp. 

My poor campsite at Pallisades State Park

Tomorrow on to Bryce Canyon!!

Moto Trip Day 2 Dinosaur National Monument

Clear and sunny Utah morning. Probably be hot, so I'll plan on a swim in the Green River when I return home. 

From my base on the Green River, I rode the 33 mile, "out-and-back" Harper's Corner Rd along a high ridge in Dinosaur NP. Surprisingly cool temps in the high 60's and fantastic views made for an enjoyable day.

Lots of Sinclair gas stations, so lots of green dinos. Very appropriate, don't you think?

Green Dino at Sinclair Station

Back from Harper's Corner, the skies opened for 15 minutes dropping pea size hail and buckets of water. After I passed under the storm cloud, the sun came out, temps climbed back up and made my dip in the Green River comfortable. Skinny dipping is frowned upon in Utah, but no one was around so I got my bath in perfect solitude.  Then the clouds rolled out and all was calm.

Skinny Dipping in the Green River

My Campsite on the Green River

Moto Trip Day 1 Dinosaur National Monument

A beautiful Colorado morning for a ride. Up the Poudre Canyon, over Cameron Pass, over Rabbit Ears Pass, through Steamboat Springs with temps in the 60's and 70's. 

Poudre River Canyon

Poudre River

Past my favorite ranch gate near Dinosaur National Park, and temps soared to the high 80's. 

My Favorite Ranch gate: Blue Mtn, Utah

Great to find my campsite on the Green River, strip off my riding gear and enjoy the cool night air. 

Green River Campground

Tomorrow: one of the prettiest desert rides Colorado has to offer!