Well today was one for the books, and I'm not even talking about the ride! Despite the intense desert heat, the ride was gorgeous as many have been the past few days. The rock formations and landscape in general continue to blow my mind. It is pretty desolate out here and we stopped for our first lunch around mile 35 on the side of the road and tried to hang the laundry tarp over the side of the van for some shade. We'll take anything we can get! I rode with a pretty big group today and it was full of sing singing and impersonations to get us through. We stopped and hung out at a local motel for second lunch. Sweep was still pretty far back at that point and there were some clouds rolling in, so it was looking like people were going to have to be picked up.
A few of us posing with the rocks...
Capitol Reef turned out to be more like a natural playground than anything. The canyons were unreal, the walls looked much like coral reef. It is estimated that the canyon walls here were once completely underwater, giving them the look they have today. The last 10 or so miles to the camp site were all in the park so we took advantage and made some stops. And of course went swimming at a waterfall we later dubbed "The Chocolate River!"
Though it may look dirty, the water was crystal clear!
Just sitting by the chocolate waterfall!
Here's where things got interesting. When we arrived at the camp site, you could just feel the stress and tension in the air. Mind you, it was dark, it had started lightning and everyone was sitting under a pavilion. Most of the tents had been set up but not all. That's when I learned that they had already unpacked the trailer at a site that wasn't ours and had to repack it to move. Then the van had to go out and make sure everyone was ok (due to darkness and weather) and took all of the food and coolers with her. Meaning - we were not able to start cooking or eat dinner, and we were pushing 9 pm. So we did what any Bike & Builders would do. We all went halvsies on cans of cold Spaghetti O's that we opened with someone's leatherman. We also had packaged danishes and cliff bars for dessert. YUM! Haha. Like I said, a very memorable evening.
As the rain started to clear up, the lightning continued and the sky was also full of amazing stars in some areas. It was breath taking! I wish we had more time to explore!
Hands down, most amazing sunset I have ever seen in my life. It was followed by crazy lightning and then some seriously fantastic stars...Capitol Reef is also on the must see list!
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