Day 11: Vernal, UT to Pocatello, ID - 380 miles
I thought this was going to be a long and only so-so day. Boy, was I wrong. Way wrong. Way, way wrong. Vernal to Rock Springs is another truly awesome stretch of road - not only for the road itself, but for the continuously changing landscape. 109 miles of pedal to the medal and head swiveling fun.
Put it on your list.
We left Vernal and headed north along Hwy 191. What a great road. You leave the dryness of the basin and begin to climb into the hills. Glorious hills of conifers, and yes, Aspens. But first you pass by a ginormous Simplot Mine.
The road winds through the mountains filled with greens and yellows and oranges. Not many places to stop. I wanted to stop every quarter mile. My wife thinks I'm nuts. She's probably not wrong. I've been obsessed with Aspens ever since I skied in Park City as a young adult, on an epic ski trip to...................Colorado.
Finally found some turn outs.
Came down out of the mountains to our first target of the day: Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. This is 207,000 acres of protected area created by the Flaming Gorge Dam and its 91 mile reservoir of the Green River. The name is derived from its red sandstone canyon walls. First stop is the Red Canyon Viewpoint. Stupendous. 1,500 feet down to the water.
Then you wind down to the dam - 455 foot high concrete arch construction, completed in 1964
Leaving the Gorge area puts you back into barren, but beautiful landscapes again.
Crossed back into Wyoming for the third time and got into Rock Springs around noon
Found a spectacular diner right out of the Fifties. Does this scream burger and a coke?
Wandered around a bit to look at the architecture
Coke advertisements
Found the old City Hall that is now a wonderful museum filled with great original artifacts.
Main Street
Old Rail Station
New Graffiti
Headed west on I-80 and came on Little America - a giant travel center. Clean and nice. Looks the same, cars are newer.
Pulled off I-80 onto Hwy 30 and headed back to the rolling dry country. Around Cokeville, WY
Soon crossed the Idaho border and cruised into Pocatello - and found some cool neon on Mainstreet
