7/16 – Tuesday

Had a great sleep – the location is very quiet and the temp with the window open was perfect. No A/C!

Up around 7 – showered and packed up by 8. We went back to Capitol Reef Inn & Cafe where we ate so well last night, and breakfast was equally good and a good deal too.

Stopped for gas – a bit on the high side for this trip. Then we headed out on Utah route 12. We really want to repeat the trip down the hill that we did last year. It was really exciting, and Julie drove it. Today I’ll drive it – the only difference is we know what to expect – last year it was a bit of a surprise.

The drive on 12 is really pretty – lots of great vistas. It goes up to about 10K feet, but it’s so gradual that you hardly notice. But when it starts back down, it goes down – fast. And narrow. There’s one spot where the road has severe drop offs on both sides. It’s exciting. I enjoyed every second.

After that, when we got to Henrieville, we realized we had a choice of routes. We could take the same route we have used previously a time or two, or we could take a dirt road across Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument – about 45 miles, and saves about 30-40 minutes (maybe). Of course we chose the different route, dirt road and all.

And it worked out the be a great choice. Yes, it was dusty and bumpy, and occasionally the road conditions caused a little concern, but the drive was really cool and the scenery was great. We didn’t see many other cars until almost the end. I recommend the drive, as long as conditions are absolutely DRY. This road is not passable in wet conditions.

We stopped in Page for ice cream. And then on down 89 to Cameron. I haven’t been on 89 out of Page for quite a while – it is quite a downhill run – drops 1000 feet in no time.

Julie drove us to Cameron (from where we entered 89 above Page). We checked in – I had to call Doug to send me a picture of my AARP card! – and our room is great. The wind is really up, and it’s around 100 degrees. We won’t be exploring outside this afternoon.

Soon enough we were in the dining room ordering our Navajo Taco. And it was great of course. We topped it with a sopapilla. Wonderful.

Now we’re back in the room, ready for Rummicube. I was the champ last night – what’s in store tonight???