Day 13 and 14 Moab to Vernal to Alpine Junction, WY
5/30-31 7:19 PM
Sleep. Is does a body good. Yesterday about this time I was ready to pack it in and head back East. I am so glad I wasn't a big pussy and persevered. Sitting aside the Grey's River near Alpine Junction, WY in the Bridger National Forest. This is camping!! Here is my “office” for the night......
Ok, back to yesterday.
Finally left Moab about 11:30AM. O yes, my previous post talked about the “urban” camping I for which I had to settle. It was a dust bowl. RV Park. Tent site........
And the other view........
But I discovered the Valk can be a sport touring bike to as I had to drive through this creek to get to the site.
First stop was back to Arches National Park to bitch about their total screwup and my wasted 50 miles. At first, the “ranger” at the gate was not very sympathetic. Long story short, I actually got a refund of my entrance fee!! Yipee!! And I was told they almost never refund anything! More of a moral victory than monetary, at least I was able to vent.
The ride out of Utah was hot, and not the most scenic. Someone described it as a “moonscape”. My destination was Red Fleet State Park, about 10 miles North of Vernal, UT. A long drive, and it soon became apparent that I didn't have much sleep. Very tiring, took a few shots along the way.
Being tired and getting such a late start, I was not in the best of moods and thus my creative side slows.
Finally got to the park about 7:30. Much to my dismay, all the sites were “walk in”. Of course it didn’t' say that on the site. Walk in implies that you have to “walk” to the campsite. The sites were not that far, but at least 50 yards from the parking area. The last thing I wanted to do was make about 27 trips back and forth from the trailer to set up. This is about the time I considered “bailing” on the trip. Being so tired, not feeling like setting up camp, having a long hot ride, questioning my purpose, for a brief moment I considered leaving the park and finding a hotel. There was a beautiful sunset along the lake, and I didn't even bother getting my camera. I was that tired. I really did not want to leave, so I setup, again in pretty high winds, and made the best of it. I was so tired I couldn't even finish my second beer!! Got into the tent while the sun was setting, and was out quick.
I think I slept about eight hours. A long time for me. Completely refreshed, I was back baby!!! No turning back now.......I'm heading north!!
An very nice sunrise, perhaps a sign from God that good things were in my future!!!
Cooked breakfast, and was on the road by 7:25. First stop was Flaming Gorge. Very nice area, and captured some cool images of this bridge and the surrounding area.
Next up, Red Canyon. This is where I should have been camping!! Ventured out on the ledge and check this out!!!
I was very soon in Wyoming!! Yes, a new state for my map!! Found my way to Evanston, where I took a nice break at McD's for some Wifi and to figure out where I was headed. About this time I decided to change course. Destination now is Spokane, Washington. My favorite, (and only) Uncle and Family live in Spokane, so why not!! A few more images along the way......
One of the many small towns I passed through was Smoot......
Couldn't help but wonder if this is the hometown of the Reverend Claude Henry...
Ventured up Route 16, then 89, and soon was back in Utah...Then back to Wyoming, and a bit in Idaho, and back to Wyoming. I had decided on Alpine Junction, as they are several camping areas. Stopped for some groceries and beverages, and I inquired about “free” camping. As luck would have it, the BLM and USFS areas are most all free!! Looking at the map, I'm on the extreme Western border of Wyoming, along the Grey's River. Life is good!!
Setup up camp.......here I am hard at work........
The peppers, onions, and sausage are almost ready. If any meal is worthy of a facebook post, this one is!!
Going to make it to Spokane today.
