Can It Get Any Better Than This? Day 2 Crossing Utah, Heading to Kansas

Dean  (the husband)

Shalane  (the wife  :O)

Wow!  I really didn’t know how Day 2 could ever compare to Day 1.  Somehow it did!  If there was ever a reason to avoid the interstate, the scenic byways that we traveled yesterday would be that reason.  The changes in scenery were numerous and breathtaking.  So far it has been well worth the slower pace and extra miles covered.  I say ‘slower pace,’ but that is partially our fault.  We didn’t get out of the campground until about noon, as it was a truly beautiful place.   The varied landscape between our campground near Escalante, UT and Capital Reef National Park was spectacular.  From the rock landscapes at the beginning of the day to the tall pine and aspen trees of Boulder Mountain, each change brought with it new wonders.   The views were the real reason it’s been taking us so long.  There were so many scenic overlooks, and we stopped at nearly every one of them!  We did stop in the small town of Boulder for lunch.  There was only one place to eat in the entire town.  It was a “green” restaurant with all food made from its natural state.  It was a tree-hugging-hippy-friendly diner.  It was a great place to be a tourist.  :O)   The beef for the hamburgers was from local cattle, the fruit and berries in the homemade pies were all from local trees and bushes, and the sugar packets featured sweetness drawn from raw sugar cane.  Even in the restroom, I used recycled paper towels.  It was expensive though!   The recycled paper towels weren’t expensive, the food was.  Dean and I shared a small cheeseburger, four small bites of pasta salad and a drink.  NOTHING came on the burger, so I had to ask for tomato, lettuce and onion.  It cost us $20. with the tip.   However, if you don't mind spending a little, the atmosphere was unique, the food was very good, high quality and locally produced and the pies were out of this world!  There was also a little hippy trading post that had paintings by local artists, espresso,  herbs and touristy stuff.  Very unique little shop. :O) Utah has been blessed with 5 national parks located within it’s borders.  I have been to all five.  Capital Reef had been my least favorite.  However, that all changed yesterday.  Perhaps it was because of the recent rain that they had received, but it was spectacular in all regards.  The red rock of the canyon walls was what I enjoyed the most.   I was taken by the grandeur of the park.
From that point to our final stopping point at Recapture Reservoir, we drove on a remote road for 120 miles.  With the exception of the small town of Hanksville, there was very  little sign of civilization.  The one thing that really stood out on that part of the journey was the lake that was formed by damming up the Colorado River.  This lake at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is beyond description, it is something that you must see in person to truly comprehend.  Yup!  When we were up on the highest overlook, Dean kept repeating, “Wow, wow, wow.”  

We got to our campsite after 8:30 last night, and it was already getting dark.  I took the coldest shower that I’ve taken in recent memory.  I used  the water left in our solar shower that had been sitting in the back window.  It was lukewarm at best.  I took a shower after Dean, and he’s not kidding, it was cold.  We were glad that we had our own shower though, otherwise we would have had to find a pay campground or a motel. 

Day 3 is now beginning, so here’s to another great adventure!  Happy Trails everyone!