Day Forty One (forty two), Flaming Gorge, a performance prize, and we finally hit warmer weather! Rocksprings, WY., to Rangely, CO.
Saturday, September 23rd.
We got up at a decent time and started getting the bikes loaded. It was COLD again! I think it got down in the mid 30s during the night. Fortunately, if you stand directly in the sun, it warms you up really quick despite the cold air temperature. We hopped back on I-80 and ran West a few miles to get to US 191 South. This ran down the East side of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation area. I had originally thought about getting down into the Gorge and riding some of the dirt roads, but with it being cold, I just kept us on the highway. It was a very pretty ride though. After crossing the border into Utah the road gets a bit twistier and more fun. It also got considerably warmer! We stopped at Dutch John and there is a big store and fishing outfitter place. Daniel got lunch. The fires were awesome. I got a Snickers. We shed some layers. Then we got back on the road. The kids pulled out before me and a car got between us, going really slow. The car turned off finally and I zoomed around the corner to catch the kids... Right past a cop
![Doh! :doh: :doh:](https://www.twtex.com/forums/images/smilies/doh.gif)
I literally just rolled on and right back off, covering maybe 1/8 mile, if that, but I hit 70mph at the top of the roll on and THAT is where he popped me for 70 in a 40. I was already going 30mph behind the kids when he rolled up behind me. I pulled over and told the kids to just keep going. I got a lecture about reckless driving, impounding, etc,... However, he was nice and only wrote me up for 8 over because he didn't feel like doing all the paperwork and leaving me trying to find a way home
![Big Thumbs Up :thumb: :thumb:](https://www.twtex.com/forums/images/smilies/thumb.gif)
That settled, I slowly went off to catch up to the kids
Of course I barely made it around the next corner before I had to stop and take some pictures of the lake and the dam. Then I went off after the kids... until I reached a cool bridge. Then I went off after the kids... I finally found Daniel coming back to look for me and Sarah waiting at the Flaming Gorge Visitor Center. We reached UT 44 and headed West around the Gorge toward Manila, UT. I had been seeing this road on the maps for many years, always thinking it would be a fun ride, but had never managed to work it into a trip. It was time. It is a pretty ride, but the really cool part starts when the road Turns Northish for the run up to Manila. There are some amazing views! We stopped for gas and a restroom break in Manila. While there we visited with a local Ranger than drove around with a KTM 500 EXC patrol bike in the back of his work truck. It was setup quite nicely. We also met a really nice couple that talked with us for a while, asking about the trip, and like the Ranger, I totally forgot to get pics or ask for names
![Doh! :doh: :doh:](https://www.twtex.com/forums/images/smilies/doh.gif)
We made the run back down UT 44 to US 191 to continue heading South toward Vernal, UT. It was getting quite warm!
The run from the Flaming Gorge down to Vernal on US 191 was a really nice ride and quite fun. The trees were changing and finally showing some color. As we were dropping in elevation we had picked up some traffic and got behind a VERY slow moving truck, the same truck we were behind when the LEO lit me up earlier. We came around a corner and as everyone was starting to brake, I spotted a gravel road that went up to what looked like a cool vantage point to view the entire landscape below. I just smoothly pulled off the road and stopped at the top. Daniel and Sarah followed me up and parked nearby. It was one of those places where we could see forever. I snapped some pics and then we got everyone turned around. The road was kind of steep and there wasn't a ton of room at the bottom to get stopped before having to worry about oncoming traffic. So I walked it first to get an idea for the best line and then Sarah came down. Daniel followed and then I went back up to get my bike. Once back on the road we rode through a series of switchbacks and eventually the road ran out to Vernal. From there we just droned down US 40 to CO 64 and ran that into Rangely. We stayed at the same hotel where we stayed when I brought Sarah up here back in 2015. This time the hot tub was not working
![Argh :argh: :argh:](https://www.twtex.com/forums/images/smilies/argh.gif)
On the upside though, they had a new bar/grill next door and it was actually quite good. We met another group of riders that were heading North. These were all retired guys on various touring bikes that like to get up at the crack of dawn and ride 500 miles a day. One of the beemers looked to be dripping oil, and it wasn't mine! After dinner, Daniel headed back to the hotel and Sarah and I went in search of Advil and ice cream, necessities of life. She made a new friend along the way. Then it was time to head to the room and call it a day.
The officer that popped me pointed out that I had 14 days to get in touch with the court, but the first 5 days were pointless because I wouldn't even be in their system and they'd have no clue who I was. So really, I had 9 days, several of which would be weekend days. On top of that, their office is only open from 9:00am to 11:00am, M-F. I would have to get this sorted before the end of the trip, so I couldn't let this slip my mind before getting home! Nothing I could do about it now, so I just tucked it away where I wouldn't lose it and started working on tomorrow's route. Despite getting in trouble for being a hooligan, it was another great day of riding and seeing amazing scenery!
A clear and COLD morning. Daniel bundles up for the fun!
North end of the Gorge
Nice grill in the back with good food. They also have hotel rooms.
Looking North from the parking lot of the store, typical for what we saw all the way from Rocksprings to here.
Typical of what we saw once we crossed into Utah and ran up to Manila
The dam, which we got to drive over
Bridge not far from the dam
More Aspens starting to change up high
Yeah, even where we parked, the gravel in this pull out was DEEP! Notice that Sarah is right next to the road. Smart kid.
We came down on the right and went up on the left
Not that colorful looking during the middle of the day, but I bet the morning sun makes it look incredible.
The view from Sheep Creek Bay Overlook, looking mostly North
Got the flashy lights, Denali D4 lights, siren, chain saw scabbard, blinky lights on the hand guards, and more!
LEO these days seem to think you can NEVER have too many blinky lights!
This is the spot where I pulled off the highway and rode up the short gravel road.
No clue what he was doing
The switchbacks below took us through the trees and canyons amidst a big mining operation
There was a cool canyon just on the other side of the small hill from the highway
The highway is to the left of this image, just over the top where the bikes are parked
Might be a cool spot to camp? We could have easily ridden further out beyond where we were.
Daniel getting ready to run back down to the pavement.
Always running off when I am not looking! Sarah waits patiently for me to come down and for Daniel to return (that is him up in the weeds).
This is a recreation shot of one taken from our 2015 trip
September 2016 (She was 11 at the time).
I did let the owner know about this... Not sure where it was coming from though.
Sarah has been working on making new friends... I still need to work with her on it a bit though
Another beautiful evening