10. Idaho and Utah

Day 27 - Tuesday, August 15, 2000

The campground at Wells, NV was rather peaceful and quiet, despite the nearby interstate. We were underway by 8:30AM but stopped near the campground to get propane. 8 1/2 gal to refill the tank - the previous refilling was last March.

Took US 93 to Twin Fall, ID where we stopped briefly to admire the 712' Shoshone Falls. Admission fee was waived because of the Golden Access pass.

Continued to Shoshone, then scenic SR 75 to Ketchum. The road ascends to the Galena Summit (8,701'), then descends to Stanley and Challis. From Stanley on we saw the smoke of forest fires, and the ranger station at Challis advised against continuing north to Salmon - the road was actually closed the next day. Forced to change plans and headed south again on US 93 over the Willow Creek Summit (7,161'). Followed the Lost River to Arco and then on an incredibly boring stretch of US 20 went east to Idaho Falls. Spent the night at the local KOA, where $25.15 bought us a clean and level site with water and electricity. Used their modem connection, for which they charged 50 cents. The bathhouse was clean and modern, but the water stream in the shower fluctuated in quantity and temperature.

Was on the road for 10 1/4 hrs and drove 475 miles. Bought gas at $1.799/gal, averaged 15.4 mpg on the last tank.

Day 28 - Wednesday, August 16, 2000

Rolled at 8:45 AM and took the often scenic I 15 south into Utah. To avoid Salt Lake City traffic, picked up I 84 east south of Ogden, then I 80 west to US 40 east to Heber City, then US 189 to Provo. Many very scenic stretches. We especially liked Provo - a sizable university town with an attractive downtown area. Definitely a potential location when/if we move out west. From Provo took I 15 south to exit 254 and then picked up the Mount Nebo Scenic Loop to Nephi. A beautiful byway with spectacular vistas and some white-knuckle driving. Then took SR 28 south to Salina and the I 70 interchange.

Got a site at the Butch Cassidy campground for $19.80 - water, electricity, and sewer included. The campground was neat and clean but lacked picnic tables. The asking price for a modem connection was $2.00 - skipped uploading.

Was on the road for 9 3/4 hrs and drove 410 miles. Bought gas in :Provo for $1.669/gal and averaged 16.5 mpg on the last tank.

Day 29 - Thursday, August 17, 2000

Temperatures during the night dropped into the high fifties, but it had warmed up to 68F when we hit I 70 at 9:45 AM. On our way to Green River and the turn-off for Moab, enjoyed what is probably the most beautiful scenery found along any stretch of the interstate highway system.

Left I 70 at Crescent Junction (US 191) and headed for SR 313 and the entrance to Canyonlands National Park - an overwhelmingly spectacular place.

Antje hiked out to the various overlooks and brought back fabulous photos such as the one above of Mesa Arch. Here are more photos from this great national park:

Backtracked out of the park to pick up SR 128 - a beautiful road that parallels the Colorado river and provides a back view of the dramatic walls of Arches National Park. Made it back to I 70 and crossed into Colorado. Jumped off the interstate to take SR 139 north to the Highline State Park, where $14.00 got us a paved and level site with water hook-up and a clean and modern bathhouse.

Was on the road for 8 3/4 hours and drove 330 miles. Bought gas in Colorado for $1.579/gal and averaged 15.5 mpg on the last tank.

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