Dave camped in Bluff and I continued on to Torrey, UT. My plan was to go over the Mokee Dugway and down the scenic Hwy 95 to Hanksville then into Capitol Reef NP to Torrey. The scenery on those roads is amazing.
I left Bluff at 5pm and knew that riding the 200 miles to Torrey would more than likely get me into Torrey at dark. I was not wrong. The worst part about the ride was missing the beauty of Capitol Reef, but I figured I could simply ride back in the following day. For now, I was all about finding a room and a meal, especially dinner since I had only had toast and egg early in the day and was beginning to get a bit spacey.
Mokee Dugway was its usual challenge. It’s funny as the distance of the actual climb up the plateau face is a mere 3.5 miles, but it seems much longer. Now the first mile was lots of loose gravel, the balance was a serious washboard, but with the paved corners, it’s not terribly bad for any bike. I met people later on the top of the Escalante Staircase who were told it was 8.5 miles of dirt, very dangerous and not well traveled. Hmmmm. Since they were riding a Harley, I understood their concern regarding the dirt and gravel, but when I told them it’s a mere 3 miles, they laughed since they had gone nearly 45 miles out of the way to avoid those 3! Oh well, when you don’t know you go by other’s word and in this case the result was disappointing for the riders!
Hwy 261 to the Mokee Dugway, UT
The bottom of the Mokee Dugway
Pano from midway
One of the dirt/gravel stretches
The top of the plateau near Natural Bridges NP
Hwy 95
The other photos I took on this trip don’t nearly compare to the last years, so in order to better represent the ride, I am reposting the first tour photos. They were unparalleled!! 🙂
Hwy 95 near Lake Powell
Capitol Reef NP
Leaving Torrey, the weather was brisk and I was glad to be wearing heated gear. What a surprising spring is all I can say, as the weather on this entire tour was mostly lower temperatures, all except for the days in Tucson. I mostly donned my heated gear, or at least had my gerbing on as a liner under my kilimanjaro jacket, which is warm in itself. In Tucson, I sent home my camelbak, my mesh pants and my cooling vest to make room for my new Kalimba! I never needed anything like any of that on this trip. I was mostly wearing winter clothing when on the bike, though it did warm up in Tucson and TorC, it was still not that warm at speed. What an odd year.
Me feeling fairly warm in Torrey…
The Escalante Grand Staircase…oh what a ride!!
Leafless Aspens in MAY!
Yep…snow still
A nice ranch at the top of the plateau.
The view up here is amazing. The road narrows to a thin slice of twisty ribbon and if you have issues with height or any sort of vertigo, this road will terrify you!! I met an awesome couple from Gilroy here, and we were chatting. His wife had vertigo and said she was worried about moving forward. I believe closing her eyes is the only option as a pillion. Her husband, luckily, was not bothered.
I spoke to Dave a day or two later and he told me all about the thin road he took and I smiled knowing exactly where he meant.
They kindly shot this photo of me on the top o’ the world!
Vertigo danger zone!!
Hwy 12’s awesome diversity
Awwwk….the dreaded motorhome towing an additional vehicle.
Hwy 12 on the way to Bryce Canyon
I had decided earlier to make my way to Ely, NV for my last overnight stay. The distance was hardly daunting, however it ended up being a long haul due to fatigue fighting the wind. My bike, with all its weight, was no match for the invading zephyrs. The open road with long stretches of straightness was mesmerizing and the hypnotic growl of my Bandit combined with the howling winds made for a long ass ride. I was thrilled to arrive in Ely for my last overnight at the Hotel Nevada, with free margaritas, excellent wifi and that damned Alien slot machine!
Milford on Hwy 21, truly America’s loneliest road!
Nice windscreen!
Miles of nada
More weather…this journey was fraught with weather challenge!
At least Ely had some sunshine and the temps were in the 60s, but according to the locals the mornings were still in the low 20s, so once again, I knew that I’d be having a later start. Hotel Nevada had only one bike parked in front, which was surprising since the front is usually full of the ubiquitous Harley, however this was a Tuesday. I landed the Gary Cooper room with many photos of the man in his many cowboy roles. My room was lovely, the bed comfortable and with a motorcyclist discount was a mere $40. The excellent wifi allowed me to finish editing and uploading photos and posting to my blog. I also got out some necessary email, so my time in Ely was well spent.
google image
The following morning with the air temperature at 38, I bundled up and left Ely heading for Carson City and my friends’ home. There I would spend another night and go and see my father who is holed up in assisted living these days plagued with a terrible case of dementia. This, I knew would be the most difficult part of my trip as it vexes me to see my strong-willed, independent, cowboy dad reduced to such an existence. Sigh… life…
After several hours in the locked-down Alzheimer’s unit, I was ready for some reprieve from my loving husband, Gary and after 14 days and 2900 miles, I headed home.
Snow on Hwy 88
Brrrr but at least there was sun!
Finally some Spring in Fiddletown Rd.
There’s no place like home…