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Go West Old Man - Day 7
Day 7
Firsts: Buffalo
Theme: Western Grandure
Destination: Page, Arizona to Cedar City, Utah
Miles: 410
I was up and out early again on this fine morning in order to arrive at Vermillion Cliffs to see the early light play on the cliff face. First, a stop was scheduled to visit an overlook at a beautiful bend in the river, just outside of town. I’m there in just a few minutes. Parking is good, but from there I look up at a long, sandy trail. Remember, motorcycle boots are NOT made for walking. (sorry Nancy) At the top of the hill I see that I have a ways to go. Out on the canyon rim are little moving dots, like ants, but they are fellow travelers. I turn and head back the way I came.
The Vermillion Cliffs really are beautiful and the approach frames them perfectly. The canyon cut by the Colorado river is just a crack in the valley floor and provides and action line for the composition.
Look for the people along the canyon rim.
Ancient peoples built shelters under borders.
The surprise of the day was the Dixie National Forest. After a 50 mile jaunt across a flat valley floor, the road starts to wind upwards and small trees appear. Eventually, the hill is crested and I am surrounded by the smell of evergreens. Quite the pleasant ride. In fact, it is so pleasant that the turn to the Grand Canyon is missed entirely and I don’t realize my error until a map check in Fredonia. That is a thirty mile miss. The bike is swung around and back into the forest I go. Not a terrible thing to do.
The road to the north rim is about 45 miles after the turn and I had no idea what to expect. The terrain tends to be flat or slightly rolling with forest, meadow and burned out forest providing the scenery. Another pleasant surprise on this section was a herd of Buffalo. There were so many vehicles on the side of the road, that I rolled on, but did manage to snap some pics on the way back.
The Grand Canyon, like many of the western sites, is just not describable and is difficult for my small mind to even comprehend. As you gaze out into the chasm, it just doesn’t seem real. I took pics anyway.
After dropping down from the Dixie NF, Route 89 follows desert floor, and goes through a couple of small towns on the way to the West entrance of Zion. Nothing of note to report except for arriving at a McDonalds just after a busload of Chinese tourists. Tourist buses were prevalent on this day. They packed the road (and attractions) at Zion.
Zion is another of those places that you just have to see for yourself. I rode through, did a U-turn and rode back through. Although, hot, crowded and slow, it was worth the effort. I would love to go in the spring before the tourists arrive. (And what am I?)
There are several tunnels in Zion. One of them is quite long and has an occasional window in the concrete. I couldn’t stop for photos and the GoPro couldn’t adjust aperture quick enough, but they would make some cool photos.
One of the tunnels was reduced to one lane for a time. As I sat in waiting traffic, a women running towards me appeared in my mirror. Then the cars ahead started to move. The woman was the Australian I met the night before, Penny. I told her I would pull off after the tunnel. I enjoyed talking with them and hope they had a wonderful visit to the US.
Penny and Dennis from Australia
After Zion, I motored up Hwy 89 a few more miles and picked up a Utah Scenic Byway, Hwy 14 to head over to Cedar City, where a Days Inn awaited. This was a pleasant surprise. Once again, I was lifted up over 9000 feet, where the air is cool. The surrounding forest soothed my fried brain. This area appears to be an ATV mecca. There is a little crossroads town in the middle of this forest and an ATV dealer and a few shops are the only visible job
sources.
Cedar City was like any small town, but it supplied one amusing moment. In front of a motel was a man holding up a neon poster board with the simple message, BED BUGS. I bet that wasn’t good for business.
I had another stellar ride, but was really looking forward to Bryce Canyon, my early goal for Day 8.
Day 7
Firsts: Buffalo
Theme: Western Grandure
Destination: Page, Arizona to Cedar City, Utah
Miles: 410
I was up and out early again on this fine morning in order to arrive at Vermillion Cliffs to see the early light play on the cliff face. First, a stop was scheduled to visit an overlook at a beautiful bend in the river, just outside of town. I’m there in just a few minutes. Parking is good, but from there I look up at a long, sandy trail. Remember, motorcycle boots are NOT made for walking. (sorry Nancy) At the top of the hill I see that I have a ways to go. Out on the canyon rim are little moving dots, like ants, but they are fellow travelers. I turn and head back the way I came.
The Vermillion Cliffs really are beautiful and the approach frames them perfectly. The canyon cut by the Colorado river is just a crack in the valley floor and provides and action line for the composition.
Look for the people along the canyon rim.
Ancient peoples built shelters under borders.
The surprise of the day was the Dixie National Forest. After a 50 mile jaunt across a flat valley floor, the road starts to wind upwards and small trees appear. Eventually, the hill is crested and I am surrounded by the smell of evergreens. Quite the pleasant ride. In fact, it is so pleasant that the turn to the Grand Canyon is missed entirely and I don’t realize my error until a map check in Fredonia. That is a thirty mile miss. The bike is swung around and back into the forest I go. Not a terrible thing to do.
The road to the north rim is about 45 miles after the turn and I had no idea what to expect. The terrain tends to be flat or slightly rolling with forest, meadow and burned out forest providing the scenery. Another pleasant surprise on this section was a herd of Buffalo. There were so many vehicles on the side of the road, that I rolled on, but did manage to snap some pics on the way back.
The Grand Canyon, like many of the western sites, is just not describable and is difficult for my small mind to even comprehend. As you gaze out into the chasm, it just doesn’t seem real. I took pics anyway.
After dropping down from the Dixie NF, Route 89 follows desert floor, and goes through a couple of small towns on the way to the West entrance of Zion. Nothing of note to report except for arriving at a McDonalds just after a busload of Chinese tourists. Tourist buses were prevalent on this day. They packed the road (and attractions) at Zion.
Zion is another of those places that you just have to see for yourself. I rode through, did a U-turn and rode back through. Although, hot, crowded and slow, it was worth the effort. I would love to go in the spring before the tourists arrive. (And what am I?)
There are several tunnels in Zion. One of them is quite long and has an occasional window in the concrete. I couldn’t stop for photos and the GoPro couldn’t adjust aperture quick enough, but they would make some cool photos.
One of the tunnels was reduced to one lane for a time. As I sat in waiting traffic, a women running towards me appeared in my mirror. Then the cars ahead started to move. The woman was the Australian I met the night before, Penny. I told her I would pull off after the tunnel. I enjoyed talking with them and hope they had a wonderful visit to the US.
Penny and Dennis from Australia
After Zion, I motored up Hwy 89 a few more miles and picked up a Utah Scenic Byway, Hwy 14 to head over to Cedar City, where a Days Inn awaited. This was a pleasant surprise. Once again, I was lifted up over 9000 feet, where the air is cool. The surrounding forest soothed my fried brain. This area appears to be an ATV mecca. There is a little crossroads town in the middle of this forest and an ATV dealer and a few shops are the only visible job
sources.
Cedar City was like any small town, but it supplied one amusing moment. In front of a motel was a man holding up a neon poster board with the simple message, BED BUGS. I bet that wasn’t good for business.
I had another stellar ride, but was really looking forward to Bryce Canyon, my early goal for Day 8.