Alamo, Nevada to Kanarraville, Utah and it was a hilly drive.

 

We didn’t have far to go today only 160 miles so we didn’t have make an early start.  Eric and I had a quick chat with Dale Pickett about our route and places we could ride when we got to Utah.  We were on the road about 9:30 am under sunny skys.

 

This was our route with the only difference being a cutoff from just east of Iron Mtn to Kanarraville.  Dale Pickett told us there was a new paved road 5700 St. that we could take which went off Hwy 56 and right under the freeway and into Kanarraville on the old highway US 91.  This will save us from going into Cedar City and then heading south.  Good to know.

Hwy 318 north of Alamo.  This highway continues up to Ely but it goes through higher passes than the more western route that we take.  Okay when the weather is good but more snow later in the year.

                                                                                                                             

As we start to climb toward the first pass the Joshua trees appear.  They seem to thrive at a higher elevation.

We’re thinking we’ll be going over those mountains.

Higher up and trees start to appear.  Probably Juniper.

Amazing rocks as we travel through the pass which would be over 6000 ft.

We soon arrive after driving downhill all the way to Caliente and it is a very  pretty little town.  This huge railroad station would suggest a much larger population in the earlier days. 

Pretty, pristine little town with hot springs and a nice RV park.  Worth another visit at some other time. 

North of Caliente we head east on Hwy 318 at Panaca and it’s not long before we start up again and through another mountain pass.

That is really high considering we started at somewhere around 3000ft.  This is going to use a lot of fuel even though we aren’t travelling very fast or going very far.  

Down we go.

Welcome to Utah.

Irrigated land provides hay and this looks really nice.  Growing in a huge flat plain.  Lots of silage corn as well.

Getting closer to Cedar City.

We’ll be heading up again before we go down toward Cedar City.   We are now down to 1/4 of a tank and have used a lot of fuel on this short drive.

After the pass we headed down and  found the paved road that Dale told us about and turned off Hwy 56 toward Kanarraville.  We arrived in time for lunch and were soon parked at the side of the very small park on the grass.  There is only one glitch with this and that’s that we are too tall to pull forward under the tree to exit the park and Eric will have to back us out.  Not a problem except there is a 40ft 5th wheel pulling in behind us so it will be tight. 

Red Ledge RV park and just our style.  Across the street there are horses, Llamas and a sheep grazing.  Just like home.

It’s sunny and about 20C but there is a really cold north wind.  We probably won’t unload the bike here but will wait until we get to Kanab and we have an 8 day stay. 

Eric froze his ears off in the cold wind setting up the satellite dish as it’s always a struggle in a completely new place.  At least we got to watch the Jays beat New York….go Jays!  Tomorrow will likely be an R & R day except for laundry.  We’ve been on the road for many days and need a rest. 

Sunday Sept. 25th

Today was a day to rest, do laundry and watch the Blue Jays beat New York in the bottom of the ninth.  In the last inning Eric had to dash out and help the lady pulling in behind us.  She was driving a mini freightliner tractor pulling a 40ft 5th wheel with a motorcycle on the back of the freightliner.    She is on her own so that’s pretty gutsy considering she’s 70.  Not that 70 is very old!!!  She got too close to the tree and would have ripped off her awning if Eric hadn’t dashed out to help.  She is parked way back and we won’t have trouble backing out. 

That’s the RV park in the distance across the field.

After the game I went for a short walk around town to take pictures.  There is no actual downtown although there used to be a few stores etc. when the old highway was the main road.  Now that there is a freeway everyone shops in Cedar City. 

Still warm enough to keep the corn growing.

Some nice old houses that were built in the 30’s.  I talked to a lady on the street who has lived here her whole life.  Everyone smiled and waved as I walked along.  Very refreshing.

Lots of young women and kids walking dogs.

This beautiful old house is just across the street.  A fine example of Craftsman architecture. 

Eric went for a bicycle ride and the wind blew him uphill but it was a grind riding back against the wind. 

So….a nice day, sunny and warm. 

Tomorrow we’ll take the truck drive to see Bryce Canyon.