explore Utah

Day 4--After 2 days of relaxing with Alison, I'm back on the road.  Taking some great advise from Alison, I meandered over to Utah route 12.  One of the most scenic roads I have ever taken and that is saying something.  The road started in red rocks, gave way to gorgeous canyons, climbed into the alpines, and then dipped back into sandstone and desert.  The first couple times I saw the "Vista Point 1/4 mile", I drove right by--big mistake.  I expected it to be more of the same.  But each big turn brought a completely new view (these pictures don't do it justice).  So my 6 hour drive took 8.  But I had music from Patty and started the audio version of Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain that I read years ago.  I like hearing him read it and the inflection, or lack thereof, in his voice.
You know how I am usually the fastest or second fastest on the road?  The scenery was so beautiful that I let everyone pass me by.  Now that's something new...

The openings between rock can be really narrow

my favorite street sign

what happens when erect billboards in the middle of nowhere

living in the middle of nowhere

beginning of the rainbow

I found it and followed it

trusty Jetta

And let's not forget the rainbow...

started following the rainbow...

It's either a sign that I'm on the right path or that I need to turn around and go back to the Castro

looks like the rainbow is holding off a storm

when you chase the rainbow, sometimes you find rain

And let's not forget the cows that own the road...

"Is it clear"

"Sure is cause I'm walkin"

You want to go where?

So anyway, finished the drive around 6:30 and spent the night in Torrey, UT at the Sandstone Inn, and headed to CO tomorrow.  Dinner at Sandstone was delicious!

see something other than the strip

Today Alison and I took off for the Hoover Dam.  On account of my occasional claustrophobia, we opted on the tour of the power plant instead of the dam.  Cool tour to see the workings of turning a river into electricity production.  The elevator was unpleasant but didn't send me screaming through the halls.  Our tour guide was funny and knowledgeable.  I won't claim to have understood everything, but the parts I did I was interested in.

Don't pour booze in a glass or shoot it

Sending the power out takes many towers

I did see anyone who looked like this guy

Dividing line between NV and AZ

Native American mosaics in the floor of the power plant

We walked the dam and walked the new bridge above it.  Coincidentally, the bridge is partially named after Pat Tillman,  and I watched The Pat Tillman Story last week.

Finally. Nevada welcomes me.

We had lunch at a great mom and pop joint called The Southwest Diner in Boulder City on our way back.  Alison convinced me to stop and smell the cacti.

We weren't the only ones strolling through the cacti

Looks like a stool but don't sit down

Teddy Bear, don't you just want to hug it?!?

Cow's tongue prickly pear

Saw lots of lightning each evening, but no rain or thunder.  We took in a show, Mystere, at Treasure Island.  The worst Cirque du Soleil show I've seen.  Mildly entertaining and more than a little confusing.  I'm hoping that something went wrong and they were just covering it.  We had dinner at a little Cuban place that had great food (I had the "old clothes"--delicious!).  And then off to bed to rest for a long day of driving tomorrow.  Goodnight!

ps, Thanks again Alison!!