Nothing like an early morning after a nearly sleepless night to start one's day! Our first night of camping was not exactly a success, and not precisely a disaster, either. We'd proven ourselves to be a great team in putting up the tent and setting our makeshift sleeping surface up. The one big problem was our air mattress, which had not been fully sealed up. Therefore, we'd struggled to sleep on a pretty flat surface. I'd woken up several times during the night and finally gave up on sleep at about 6:30. My philosophy was, if I'm up, everyone's up!
The KOA site was pretty nice. Bathrooms were easily accessible. We were one of the few tenting families while the rest were RV campers. Resigned to our fate of sleep deprivation, we packed up and rolled out by 7:15. Down the road, we stopped at a diner for breakfast and gassed up. The nice thing about fueling a rental car is that you don't give a rat's ass what you put in as long as its the cheapest. $2.39 worked well for me, little knowing it would get cheaper later!
On to I 70 east, we soon came to Salina, the last source of gas and food and lodging for 105 miles. We stopped, but only to get the music synced in the car. We could have easily waited until this town to eat breakfast at Mom's Diner, but the restless night had increased the need for immediate coffee!
After Salina, I 70 is quite curvy and hilly for several miles within the Wasatch Plateau, then opens up into the vast San Rafael Swell. This large area gives spectacular views of sharp rocky cliffs for miles around. It really does feel like a completely different Utah, which makes the state so unique and beautiful. One almost forgets that they've traveled 60 miles already with no motorist services. There are, however, some exits for scenic views and natives hawking rugs and jewelry. Hey, everyone needs to make a living!
Finally coming to Green River, we stopped for a snack and bathroom break, then returned to the freeway and exited onto U.S. 191. 191 is fairly empty for a while, then enters a region full of gorgeous red rock canyons. We had arrived at Arches National Park! In one word, WOW! The vast array of cliffs, rock formations, and natural rock arches and windows made for quite a viewing experience. We stopped at several spots to take pictures and finally stopped to make sandwiches for a quick lunch. The gift shop was our final stop, and we bought a few trinkets, notably a keychain and magnet, Vickie's mementos of most trips we've taken together. Arches is by far, in my opinion, greater than the Grand Canyon! Quite frankly, most national parks I've visited are better than that!
Leaving Arches, we crossed the Colorado River and turned on to Utah route 28. This road followed the river for many miles and would be the first in a running theme of our week-long trip: sharp, curvy roads requiring the utmost driver attention! After about 40 miles, the road opened up into the desert again. Access to I 70 via 28 came up, but due to my Google Earth research, I took a different road which saved backtracking and still ended up on 70!
Twenty miles later, we entered Colorado. I always enjoy this state, as there is so much to see and do no matter where you are. Soon after entering the state, we rolled through the Grand Junction area and stopped for a quick bite and leg stretch at Taco John's, one of Vickie's favorite places to eat. It is a shame we don't have one here because their food is quite good.
We got back on to 70 and exhaustion was hitting me fast due to lack of sleep and heavy concentration on the curvy route 28. Vickie had made reservations in Parachute for a motel. We had tried to find a campsite, but nothing was available spacewise. I was grateful, for a real bed was what I needed. At exit 75, we entered Parachute, checked in to the Parachute Inn, and quickly got comfy. After being sent out for water for the Waterpik, I was asleep in quick order. I never even bothered to check what was in the office crockpot for free dinner.
Despite the lack of sleep, this was a great day and I have the pics to show for it!
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