April 08
Hanksville, Utah Sunday
After a full day of driving remote back roads was ready to eat a good steak and crash into a soft matress after a long hot shower ; and then arrived in Hanksville , Utah. There should have been a roadsign at the edge of town ; Welcome to Hell .
Started out early in Kayenta, AZ at the Burger King -- the one with the USMC "Code Talkers" museum-- also see Kayenta, AZ post --
Headed north Hwy 163 about 20 miles to Monument Valley, Navajo Nation. It's beyond description and could have stayed there and looked at it for days. It IS that phenomenal.
After Monument Valley, north to Mexican Hat and take Hwy 261 north. This is southern Utah and is beyond beauty . Through Valley of the Gods that overlooks Moki Dugway,... a phenomenon of a switchback road that climbs 1,100 vertical feet on the cliff edge of the southern Utah mesa plateau. -- also see Moki Dugway post--
Pick up Hwy 95 north up past Fry Canyon where the US mined uranium.
Through Capitol Reef and Glen Canyon National parks. Looked like the surface of the moon in places. THIS was the veiw... phenomenal!
Past Hite, Utah ,... early ferry site across the Colorado river.
Now up into the northern central part of Utah. Still,... the whole day really unique geography... beyond spectacle.
and then at 6;30pm+ ... running late for a day of road trip... arrive at Hanksville, Utah ... Welcome to Hell !
Now,... Hanksville , UT is one of my most favorite places on earth. I love small towns... but this is in between nowhere,... and nothing. Stop at a decent looking motel, and a hand written note on the door is -- in honor of Jesus, our lord... we are closed today. That's right .... it's SUNDAY. So lets close!
A 1/4 mile up the road was Hole in the Wall,... the gas station... litteraly in the side of a mountain... a hole in the wall. They said there was a motel down further.
This was a desert motel of last resort. While standing in the lobby , with another car pulling up, we were told they had 1 room left; we'll take it. $ 80.00
The little owner motel lady was smoking a cigarette through her tracheotomy. The young surfer dude helper said it was the best room there. This was like Bates motel.
T-bone has never forgiven me for staying in this room. She said the sheets were changed by turning them over. The TV had 3 stations... with Mormons talking about the Book of Mormon; this was way before the broadway play. The bed was a crater that we slid together into the middle. It was an experience.
Next morning... the resturaunt across the street said they were just opening and the delivery truck had not arrived,... so no coffee. We head back up to Blondies. Now I could say something about Blondies resturaunt.... but I was just glad to get something to eat. Road trips offer some unique experiences; this was one!
Now,.. T-bone still holds Hanksville over me for that stop. I love small towns... Hanksville, Utah at 220 people/ residents.. is a unique place in between some of the greatest views / geography on earth,... Moki Dugway to Capitol Reef.... and I'm glad I got ot experience this place!
and next morning on Hwy 24... there was good motel; sometimes... press on.
*****
Press on from Hanksville, Utah... one of my favorite places....
On Hwy 24 over to Torrey, Utah,... turn south on Hwy 12... on of the most scenic drives in America,... beyond description. Absolutely beautiful !
And got to a place they called the Devils Backbone. I had to stop and take pix it was so unique. Thank you Lord for this gift!
4 Corners Tracks of the StoneBear
April 08
Hanksville, Utah Sunday
After a full day of driving remote back roads was ready to eat a good steak and crash into a soft matress after a long hot shower ; and then arrived in Hanksville , Utah. There should have been a roadsign at the edge of town ; Welcome to Hell .
Started out early in Kayenta, AZ at the Burger King -- the one with the USMC "Code Talkers" museum-- also see Kayenta, AZ post --
Headed north Hwy 163 about 20 miles to Monument Valley, Navajo Nation. It's beyond description and could have stayed there and looked at it for days. It IS that phenomenal.
After Monument Valley, north to Mexican Hat and take Hwy 261 north. This is southern Utah and is beyond beauty . Through Valley of the Gods that overlooks Moki Dugway,... a phenomenon of a switchback road that climbs 1,100 vertical feet on the cliff edge of the southern Utah mesa plateau. -- also see Moki Dugway post--
Pick up Hwy 95 north up past Fry Canyon where the US mined uranium.
Through Capitol Reef and Glen Canyon National parks. Looked like the surface of the moon in places. THIS was the veiw... phenomenal!
Past Hite, Utah ,... early ferry site across the Colorado river.
Now up into the northern central part of Utah. Still,... the whole day really unique geography... beyond spectacle.
and then at 6;30pm+ ... running late for a day of road trip... arrive at Hanksville, Utah ... Welcome to Hell !
Now,... Hanksville , UT is one of my most favorite places on earth. I love small towns... but this is in between nowhere,... and nothing. Stop at a decent looking motel, and a hand written note on the door is -- in honor of Jesus, our lord... we are closed today. That's right .... it's SUNDAY. So lets close!
A 1/4 mile up the road was Hole in the Wall,... the gas station... litteraly in the side of a mountain... a hole in the wall. They said there was a motel down further.
This was a desert motel of last resort. While standing in the lobby , with another car pulling up, we were told they had 1 room left; we'll take it. $ 80.00
The little owner motel lady was smoking a cigarette through her tracheotomy. The young surfer dude helper said it was the best room there. This was like Bates motel.
T-bone has never forgiven me for staying in this room. She said the sheets were changed by turning them over. The TV had 3 stations... with Mormons talking about the Book of Mormon; this was way before the broadway play. The bed was a crater that we slid together into the middle. It was an experience.
Next morning... the resturaunt across the street said they were just opening and the delivery truck had not arrived,... so no coffee. We head back up to Blondies. Now I could say something about Blondies resturaunt.... but I was just glad to get something to eat. Road trips offer some unique experiences; this was one!
Now,.. T-bone still holds Hanksville over me for that stop. I love small towns... Hanksville, Utah at 220 people/ residents.. is a unique place in between some of the greatest views / geography on earth,... Moki Dugway to Capitol Reef.... and I'm glad I got ot experience this place!
and next morning on Hwy 24... there was good motel; sometimes... press on.
*****
Press on from Hanksville, Utah... one of my favorite places....
On Hwy 24 over to Torrey, Utah,... turn south on Hwy 12... on of the most scenic drives in America,... beyond description. Absolutely beautiful !
And got to a place they called the Devils Backbone. I had to stop and take pix it was so unique. Thank you Lord for this gift!
