|
On the morning of the 25th after resting up at the Best Western Gateway Inn, the riders turned north from Blanding on highway 95 and head through the upper part of the Glenn Canyon Recreational Area. But first the rides made a stop at the Natural Bridges National Park.
 This park is the oldest in Utah having been set aside by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. There are three giant sandstone bridges in the park, Sipapu, Kachina and Owachomo, which are of Hopi Indian origin. The bridges can be viewed from overlooks and trailheads on a paved nine-mile loop that runs through the park.
The riders stooped at the Visitors Center and shared a special moment of thoughtfulness and unity unlike any other ever experienced.
 Heading north from the Natural Bridges National Park, the riders came through the Glenn Canyon/Lake Powell Recreation Area. At the center of this huge area is Lake Powell, which is 180 miles long. The shoreline meanders like a lazy river and affords visitors and boaters a remarkable abundance of viewing and participatory pleasures.
The riders stopped at Hites Marina for a quick bite to eat and a little respite before continuing their journey North. The riders shared a patriotic moment when a section (pair) of Navy Jet F/A-18’s were visible in the near skyline. They were practicing low altitude combat air maneuvering on one of the local Military Operating Areas.
At Hanksville at the confluence of highways 24 and 95 the riders turned west and headed for the mountains. They traveled along a short section of highway 24 that they had passed over a few days earlier to Capitol Reef National Park. At Capitol Reef National Park everyone took a short ride into a small section of the park and then head back to the Visitors Center.
Located next to the Visitors Center is a place called Fruita. Fruita is an original Mormon homestead from the turn of the century. There is a beautiful park area and some orchards of varying types of fruit. Many riders picked and eat fruit for their own enjoyment while they took a little siesta under a big cottonwood tree. 
There are petroglyphs in the area as well that were carved into the slick rock right next to the highway. From there it was another twenty minutes to Torrey, UT where everyone spent the night at the Wonderland Inn. A family owned hotel with good cooking. It was a warm feeling as the riders rested up for the final day.
|
