Ray and Shauna rode with me up to Vernal where we had lunch at Denny’s. They were trying to decide whether to stay the night or return home, they did the latter. I was off to Rock Springs and my Wyoming travels. It was warm in Vernal but as I climbed the many switch-backs the temperatures dropped to the upper 70’s but the weather warnings were spot on! The wind was horrible and gusting from all directions. The gusts would easily push Waldo and I 3-4 feet in either direction. I tried to take a picture at the Flaming Gorge Reservoir but the turnout was covered with loose gravel and the wind was brutal.
The road was excellent but with many sharp turns, steep drop offs and these gusting winds, I traveled on. I thought it would calm down but it didn’t. The Dam was huge and the road crossed over it and wound around hanging off the side of the mountain. My hourly water break was due so I picked a clear pullout and was nearly pushed over by the gusts. After the pictures as I approached the bike a gust lifted the bike off its side stand. I only had one encounter with wildlife, a deer was dining by the road in the meadow on top of the plateau and couldn’t care less about me.
A good portion of this trip was above 10,000 ft but so far the altitude hasn’t affected me. It was a good feeling arriving in Rock Springs. It was only about a 190 miles, which is a short ride, but I was exhausted. Tomorrow will bring new challenges.
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