Wednesday, May 31, 2017

2017 CROSS-COUNTRY ROAD TRIP - 5-6-17 - ST GEORGE, UTAH TO PARACHUTE, COLORADO

Saturday, May 6th, 2017



We are leaving our hotel in St. George, Utah at 8.42 a.m. and the odometer reading is 53942.  We have traveled 5,767 miles now.



The speed limit is 80 mph.  That amazes me!  Truthfully, I don't think I like that very much.  Speed limits do adjust according to the lay of the land.



We have just passed a car with a license plate from the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada.  Happy travels friend!


9.30 a.m. we stopped for breakfast at McDonalds in Cedar City. I had oatmeal and Gregg had an egg and cheese biscuit.  



We noticed some young people talking very nicely to an 80+ year old, asking him all kinds of questions.  He was a widow, worked for Boeing he was telling them.  Gregg and I both people watch.  So nice to see this generational gap getting along, in a genuinely friendly discussion. Good to see and a great attitude of concern and friendship from these young people towards this gentleman, who at the same time was imparting good wisdom in his advice. These are the things we noticed while traveling.  



A group of young men came in from a local school. All had track uniforms on. Another nice group of young people, all very polite, a nice smile and a thank you from one young man in particular.  I kept the door open for him as I was leaving and he was quick-walking across the parking lot.  He was a latecomer and joined his school mates.  

10.23 a.m.  The elevation is 6,500, over a mile up.



11.10 a.m. we left I-15 for I-70 East. 



Saw these beauties parked near a rest stop.



I wish they were coming home with us.



11.55 a.m. We are now going down from over 7000 plus feet. 



Gregg reminded me I had family who settled around here on my mother's side. Wouldn't she be surprised?  We had several family members going back who emigrated to America, Australia and New Zealand.

11.59 a.m.  Passed a summit sign: 7,886 feet



12:45 p.m. We stopped at a scenic overlook off  I-70. Lovely views!  We were taking pictures when we met a very nice lady and gentleman,  daughter and father, who were returning to the Los Angeles area from Purdue University in Indiana.  



She was a very proud mummy, telling me that her son had just graduated with a degree in chemical engineering.  We chatted for ten minutes or so and her mother had been patiently waiting in their car. 



2.56 p.m and we are leaving the town of Green River....


after having lunch at West Winds.  


There was a wagon advertising the restaurant on the roof next door at the gas station.


Gregg had a regular cheeseburger.....


and I had a Western Burger, and just like the one in the diner at Yosemite, it was very good. This time, mine came with sweet potato fries.  


But I am reaching my limit on burgers.  Yes I know, I have said that before. There were other things than burgers on the menu but from looking at people's portions around us, they were way too much.  No doubt they would get what was left over boxed to take home, but as we weren't sure how long it would be before we got to the hotel, and we had no ice box in the car, we didn't want to take any chances.  


There were a couple of those humorous books on the table again, "Stay humble when you are smarter than everyone else" and "Geezerhood: what to expect from life now you are older than dirt."  They were on sale at the cash desk but no, I didn't buy these either.


I liked the neon lighted truck above, and this old gas pump near the cash register.  Where are The Pickers when you need them?  I enjoy tuning in when I know they are on.


We will be driving another 200 miles before we stop for the night. 

3:48 p.m. and we are seeing our first rain in the distance.  There is a huge, dark cloud above, and below dust rising from the earth in a pattern I have never seen before. Very interesting phenomenon.  Our road is heading in another direction so maybe we will miss this also

3.51 p.m. Just went over the Colorado River. 

4.47 p.m. We decided to stop earlier today and are at our hotel in Parachute, Colorado. We noticed what we thought was a drug store within walking distance of the hotel. It is called the Tumbleweed Dispensary, and seeing the sign I was thinking maybe I could get some muscle relaxers for a very sore neck.  I have had problems with it before, particularly when I have been driving.  I helped out again today and was probably sitting very rigidly while in heavy traffic. When we reached our room I started browsing through the pamphlets showing the area, and saw the dispensary advertised.  After checking it out it didn't look like any drug store I had ever been in.... 

and they had an interesting leaf design on their logo!



It looked familiar somehow.  I felt I had seen it on line somewhere.  Pretty leaf, thought I would have to store that away and look in my plant book at home, if I couldn't ID it before.  I was tired okay and I didn't have my glasses on? I turned the page and then I saw another store advertised.  Have to say my eyes got a little larger as I had one of those "aha" moments.  


Yes, this recreational product is legal in Colorado.  Who knew?  Certainly not me.  Needless to say I didn't go to the store to try and find some pain relief for my sore neck.  A good night's sleep helped a lot!



35 comments:

  1. You are having an amazing journey. I loved reading about it and seeing the beautiful scenery

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    1. Thank you Latane, It was an amazing trip, this country is amazing. So many wonderful things to see.

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  2. I believe that particular pain relief is excellent. Loved the names of towns as you have been travelling. A link to history.

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  3. Denise, I agree with you about the 80 mph speed limit...that is way too fast for any place, as far as I'm concerned. And I think you were wise to choose the burger in this instance, particular since the portions of the other dishes were quite large.

    I love all your photos, as always! And as for the pain you are having in your neck, I got something at a dollar store that is very effective and not expensive, just a few dollars! It is in a jar, 8 oz., and is called "Therapeutic Ice Analgesic Gel". It is blue in colour and wow, this stuff helps me immensely with any muscle pain or aches (arthritis and neck pain). It smells strong, but it is great for putting on before going to sleep, as it takes the pain away quite quickly! Take good care of yourself, dear friend. :)

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    1. Hello Linda, thank you for this info on the gel. I shall look for it next time I go shopping. It sounds like a great product. So thoughtful of you, I really appreciate it :).

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  4. Imagine going in the store and asking for pain relief without thinking...you might hae got more than you bargained for!

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    1. You made me laugh Rose. I was very glad I saw the advertisement as I was going to pop in there :)

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  5. I love your gorgeous pictures of the clouds and the mountains, especially #3! Such a high altitude! Did you get lightheaded or short of breath? I love the big neon truck! So did you ever get that muscle relaxer! So strange seeing these pot ads!

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    1. Thank you Ginny, we got light headed but not short of breath. And no I never did get my muscle relaxer. I agree on the pot ads. I took a double take when I turned the page.

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  6. Gorgeous view of the mountains and sky! Love the beautiful scenery too. I like the wagon on the roof top and the neon lighted truck! Love all the photos you shared from your tour. Have a beautiful day!

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  7. Great photographs, I especially like the one with the wagon on the roof. Novel idea, I must say.

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  8. Hello, Denise! I have been enjoying the scenic views from your travels. The mountains views are lovely. The neon truck is cool. I have neck pain also, I am always looking for some pain relief. I do not like the high speed limits and usually try to stay in the slow lane. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

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    1. Thank you Eileen and the same to you. I always try to stick to the slow lanes too.

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  9. "Rocky Mountain High" in Colorado!!!!! Remember the John Denver song?

    Well, it's legal now.

    And Emergency Room Visits Doubled....

    Son and daughter in law are going for a Colorado visit. Naturally I worry about all the high drivers on the roads. Bahhh-humbug

    But you are home.

    Happy June!

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    1. I loved the John Denver song, love anything sung by John Denver. Colorado is a beautiful state. I am sure they will have a great time. Thanks for the link, I wondered about that. Happy June to you LC.

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    2. Very interesting link LC. I will be adding it to my post when I have the computer time. Off out right now.

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  10. What great clouds you saw in Utah, Denise, and yes to those classic cars too. We have really enjoyed seeing similar ones at rally events. I know what you mean about the burgers and yours did look delicious especially with those sweet potato fries!

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    1. Thanks Beatrice, we have not been to a classic car show for a while but we have enjoyed them. I have not had one burger since returning home. It will be a while :)

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  11. love the neon truck and would like to own either blue or yellow cars

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  12. Such a wonderful trip! Wow...your photos and the tales of your adventures are just wonderful.

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    1. Thank you Marie, it makes me happy that you are enjoying them.

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  13. Wow the only place I know in your travels - St. George, Utah, we actually went there shopping when we were staying with fiends in Mesquite.
    I have not had a burger in years, everywhere we went in the USA I ordered a salad and still needed a doggy bag when we left!!!
    Thanks again for sharing this magical trip with us. Diane

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    1. Thank you Diane, what fun you knowing St George. Yes, my favorite was a chicken salad whenever I could get it.

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  14. Were you just totally worn out when you got home! All that riding would not have been good for my now thinner backside! I love it though, so happy you were able to do this and see so much.

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    1. We were Pam but soon recovered after a couple of lazy days.

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  15. So the people in Utah sound nice!

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    1. They were very nice but then we met nice people all along our trip :)

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  16. Love it, scenery from my childhood.

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