Thursday July 7th, 2011 Twin Falls to Parachute, Colorado 567 miles.

Now I know where all the Idaho spuds are grown. Leaving Twin Falls on I84, one experiences mile after mile of potato fields, all being irrigated. I guess it is like the Yakima valley, only here it is the Snake River that supplies the water. Once the fields disappeared, it became much like the prairies, no trees, no fields, just open space. Mountains were in the distance at times, some with snow. Mile after mile until the Utah border,

Into Utah:

Water is definitely the differentiator, with more in these places, a lot more produce could be grown. With no activity, no towns, just nothing but prairies, not flat but small hills. This continued into Utah until I got near Brigham and Salt Lake. I was now riding I15, and this runs south with the lake on one side, and mountains on the other. I think 90% of the population in Utah must live in the corridor. You pass many malls, big box stores, and refineries, all packed together. Interestingly, the only high rise buildings seem to be in Salt Lake City. It looks like Seattle, with the snow capped mountains behind it. I stopped for a while to visit the Temple Square. If you think Seattle has a parking problem, try this place. At least Seattle has signs for ‘Public Parking’. I gave up looking and entered a private parking garage and asked where I could park. I think it must have been under a Mormon building as the attendant was dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie. Anyway, he gave me directions. So I went to the Square. Very clean and scrubbed. The visitors center is quite something, with huge religious paintings et al. I wasn’t sure about photos, so didn’t. Interestingly the Temple seemed to be walled in, like a private space, unlike other cathedrals which are very open in aspect.

Temple Square:

On leaving I headed south, then cut off on US6 to Price. This was a great ride, into red canyons and over the mountains. I got a few sprinkles between Brigham and Price, it must have been holy water. Once past Price it was through the desert for 70 miles or so, and it started to get hot again. Nothing on this straight road, no gas either. I hit I70 and headed East towards Denver. Again for about 60 miles it was desert, at least there were signs warning of no services. It was odd seeing miles of nothing, with snow capped mountains in the far distance. Into Colorado, and the scenery changed, more green.

Utah heading towards Colorado:

Into Colorado:

I rode through Grand Junction, and there was the Colorado River alongside the road. Riding by the Colorado River in Colorado, how cool is that. We followed the river for miles, through canyons not unlike the Grand one. Very spectacular. So I decided to call it a day in Parachute, a brand new Comfort Inn, and you get AARP rates. I had little choice for a meal without firing up the bike, Mexican, Chinese or Subs. I elected for the former. It was fun. Real Mexicans, watching Mexico beat Germany 3-2 at soccer. They do get excited.

Colorado River near Parachute:

On to Denver tomorrow. Maybe I’ll reach Nebraska.