Day 22: Hatch, UT

Day 22

June 7, 2015

Miles: 53

Kanab to Hatch

We woke early this morning after a day of rest and a great night sleep.  I slept 12 hours yesterday.  Steve only 7. Instead he was busy tooling around town as you know, deep in thought snapping as many self portraits as possible. Just weird!  Although, I did particularly like the shot of him trying to get in the wagon on his tippy toes.  This trip, the camera, all the fabulous pictures he's been taking, and the many compliments he's been getting on his pictures from all of you. I think he is starting to believe he is Vivian Maier.  

  

Utah is a very beautiful state. Very different landscapes from the desert, as you will see.  As nice as the desert was, for me Utah is much more appealing.  Rivers and streams, and green everywhere - everything is alive! We had some great weather this morning, but as the day went on it got nasty.

Early morning shot

Mid morning shot

Late morning shot

Doesn't this look familiar

We not only have Node riding with us, but now we have Julie too. She is headed to Salt Lake City so we rode today with her too and probably will ride a bit more tomorrow before she heads north.  I am not sure if we are collecting them, or they are collecting us. Either way, it is nice to ride with fellow bikers; we have the same passion for biking, but very different motives for being out here.

Today, the weather started changing about 1:00pm; the clouds darken and we felt rain drops.  We were now in Glendale, so we hurried to the restaurant before it started pouring.  When we got there, we found a big sign hanging out front - Closed Sunday.   

Weather changing fast

Riding into the abyss 

Preparing for the storm

Time for cover

Next door to the restaurant was a B&B. We knocked on the door to ask about food options in town. The long and the short, Michelle and Mike took us in. Since we were all carrying enough snacks and food to sustain us to the next town, they let us fill up our water bottles, use their bathroom, and munch out on their porch until the storm passed.  They were just great!  Mike (middle) was telling us about how he flew down one of the hills in Alaska on his bike going 55 mph with Michelle following him in there truck.  Apparently, he was challenged by a friend to do it under 20 minutes, which he did.  Mike said he was a daredevil back in his day.  We asked him when this was; he replied when I was 58.  

Michelle & Mike - Hospitable People

We made it to the next town to get food, water and gatorade.  The weather held out for the rest of the day - no more rain, but it did get a little chilly.  We then headed toward Hatch where we rented a room. Node, Julie and Steve and I ate dinner at the local cafe.  After dinner, Node and Julie decided to ride another 8 miles to a campground to stay tonight. We plan to meet them at Bryce Canyon sometime tomorrow.

Population is 130 people. 

Heading in for dinner.

Steve's been napping since we checked in at 8:00pm.  He rose for about 10 minutes moments ago to take quick shower, and he is now sleeping again.  This makes me very happy that he is catching up on his sleep. Although, I am not sure what to expect from him tomorrow morning, I sure hope he wakes as Steve and not Vivian!

Our plan tomorrow is to ride 28 miles to Bryce Canyon National Park to explore the park all afternoon.  We plan also to stay the night in Bryce.  The forecast looks great tomorrow and the elevation climb is manageable.  We should get there by noon!