Today we want to honor Veteran PO1 Christopher Andrieu for his service and sacrifice for our country. Please take time and read as well as watch the video and help us support him as we strive to help them build an adaptive home for him and his family. Thank you Christopher for your service.
I was so excited about the ride today, more out of fear than wanting to do if I am being totally honest. I slept in, and then I wanted to grab lunch before taking off. I was wanting to make it to Escalante which was only 38 miles away and if I was doing good then I would continue onward. The traffic the other day on HWY 12 had me a bit frazzled and I would be on HWY 12 all day today. Our friends Aggie and Ashley gave a personal donation so it out on the cost for our hotel last night where we stayed at America Best Value Inn last night (clean and comfy beds) which was within walking distance to Rustler’s Restaurant where I feasted on a great burger, (thanks Jim Denham for your personal donation!). While eating I was discussing with Kelly my fears and she pointed to the picture on the wall and said, “time to ‘saddle up’, sis.” It was a quote by John Wayne. “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” I got a little teary eyed because that is exactly what I needed to hear/read. So with that, I walked over to Clark’s Market and bought a few snacks and got my bike ready to roll on HWY12. In all my preparations I stupidly laid my prescription eye glasses down on the bench and totally forgot about them until now when I need them. grrrr.
The first few miles I pep talked myself. After a few more miles, I got into the grove and was loving every hot mile of it. This countryside is so desolate and lots of hills! I found myself at the top of Powell Point summit with a great sense of achievement no thanks to the wind. Yay me! I took in the view as I guzzled down some water. I was looking forward to the downhill ride for the next 6 miles. I clocked in at 36.8mph, the fastest I have allowed myself to go to date. So much fun. I made it to Escalante with no problem and told Kelly to meet me at mile 50.I had another climb to conquer. It was getting rather gusty with wind to my side so around mile 45 going up hill I was wishing I told Kelly to get me at mile 40. lol When I got to the top there was a sign that said 8% grade downhill. Yikes! I never have don’t that steep of a downhill before. It was windy and I braked a lot and forgot to breath a few times, but again…. The fun factor was really high. Once down, I really wanted to do it again and again and again like a little kid going down a curvy slide. I was half tempted to have Kelly drive us to the top again just to ride back down. Instead, I called it quits because it was almost 6:30pm and we needed to get to Hanksville, UT for the night which was about 100 miles away.
Our dive to Hanksville was just as beautiful. There were more and more trees along the way. The sunset was so incredible that we pulled over and soaked it all in by taking photos. I am definitely coming back to do some photography in this region some day. I have read some blogs on the beauty of Grand Staircase-Escalante area but, reading and seeing photos is nothing compared to witnessing it first hand. I need to explore this sun-drenched area of Utah, but for now I am so happy to just get to see it from the road.
We made it to our motel in Hanksville, UT (The Whispering Sands Motel) after a stop in Torrey to grab a bite to eat (thanks Renee McCord) The room is nice and I’m ready to crawl into bed. It was a great day! I’m so tired. It was the longest riding day so far and the most elevation 2706ft climb with -3,149 ft downhill. The heat was very doable with the wind. Wind played nice by wore me out at the end as it got stronger. I am actually looking forward to tomorrow’s short ride to Goblin State Park.
Night all, Be Blessed
