31 August 2011

It was still hot in the morning (94, according to my tank bag thermometer), so I was already sweating by the time I'd made the three trips down and up the elevators into the parking garage. I needed gas; the plan was to turn on the "Spot" and hit the "leaving for the day" button; it would get its 'fix' once I got out of the garage, and I'd hit the "track" button at the gas station. But I forgot that part.

The quickest route up to Hoover Dam would have been on the west side of the Colorado, but I wanted to cross it without a lot of back-and-forthing, so 68 over to 93, and north.

Did I mention that it was hot? I started sucking water immediately, and tried to remember to take a pull at least every 15 minutes. 93 is a straight, boring road; I was anxious to get somewhere that looked different. As it curved in toward the river, the scenery finally changed to craggy, nice!

The Garmin MapSource map I used to lay out the route has the new alignment of 93, over the new bridge. Neither of the GPSs on the bike are licensed for that map, though, so they got confused--not that there are any options--you have to really want to cross the dam to be on that road, and I don't think it's even possible from the east.

But I wanted pictures, so after I'd crossed, I headed down the old road. There was a parking lot for (what I thought was) a bridge view; after I climbed all the steps I discovered that there's a walkway on the new bridge, with a nice view of the dam. Damn! Ok, I'm here, take some dam pictures.





Back down all the steps, into the sweaty Aerostich, continue down the road, through a security checkpoint, across the dam to one of several view spots on the other side. Finally some shots of the bridge, not nearly as dramatic as the 'under construction' ones I'd seen, which were taken from the south side.



I wanted to take old 93 back east to hook up with new 93, but the road ran out with a barrier and a turn-around parking lot, so I crossed the dam again, and headed up through the Lake Mead NRA. It's a "fee area," even to drive through, but I had my pass, so free. I don't know if it has a Visitor Center, it was too hot to stop for a stamp anyway. But the speed limit was too low to make any time, so it was actually a relief to get to I-40 and crank it up a bit.

Stopped for fuel in Mesquite; there was a R12GS rider at the next pump, just finishing. We ignored each other. (?) I refilled my water bladder, and finally got out my neck towel; its water was hot, too, but it's evaporative cooling, right?

After a number of miles on I-40, I saw a bike ahead--I wasn't gaining much on it, but it looked like the R12GS rider that had been at the Shell station--he must have stopped somewhere else again. I never did catch him, but confirmed that it was he when he exited, and I got a better look.

Off I-40 onto UT9, heading for Zion NP. It's hot. It costs a motorcycle $12 to ride through the park, same as the per-person fee to enter, but I have my pass. The visitor center is close to the entrance, so I pull in and negotiate the crowded parking lot, and finally make my way in and find the stamp station, then out again.





It's been a long time since I rode through here, and that was east-to-west, so it doesn't look anything like I remember. Then the road changes to loose gravel, and starts winding up the canyon wall. I don't remember that, either. Then a sign for a mile+ long tunnel--I sure don't remember that! Must be old age, this is the only road that goes through the park.

Almost as soon as I come out the other side, the temperature starts dropping, and the ride is finally pleasant. Onto US89, heading for Bryce Canyon.

But all those low speed limits, and the change to Mountain Time have me thinking about stopping for the day. Panguitch is a bit north of where I was going to turn east, and lodging will likely be cheaper than it would be closer to the park, so...

I'm at the Purple Sage Motel; it's not cheap, but at least the internet wasn't extra. And groceries from the little market down the street were a bit dear, but I'll have leftovers.  

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