Jim's home | Motorcycle home | Van Trip home
My final ride before heading home was to be the route from Torrey, UT to Escalante, UT and back. I've driven it in a minivan and then in a camper van years ago with my sons. Southern Utah has freakishly weird geology that's fun to see and ride through. My van drive there from the last Colorado ride could go either through 46 which skirts the south end of the La Sal mountains, or further south across lonely 141, down through Monticello, UT and then up to Hanksville via Rte 95. I'd read about the La Sal Loop, which sounded interesting. But it would've put me through busy, touristy Moab and then on I-70 for a while. I hate interstates and decided to go south. Good choice since Rte 95 to me is the most beautiful road in the US. It flanks Capitol Reef, which is a nearly 100 mile long uplifted formation with colorful layers of stone. Words fail me in it's beauty.
I camped at a pull-off overlooking Fry Canyon, which is a winding, crazy slot canyon that goes on for many miles. Dead quiet there. Not a single car drove by all night long. Milky Way plainly visible. Probably the most beautiful place I've ever van-camped.
A big slot in the rocks where 95 leads to an amazing view of Capitol Reef:
My van pulled over after coming through the big slot in the rocks:
Capitol Reef viewed from Rte 95:
My free campsite by Fry Canyon:
Fry Canyon:
A margarita on my zero gravity chair:
Almost time for bed: