We slept great last night, even slept in a bit. We left Glenwood Springs, meandering alongside the Colorado for a good deal of the morning. As the day went on and we reached lower elevations, the temperature rose to very uncomfortable highs. We left the Colorado and drove through some very barren looking land. The Green River was a bit of an oasis in a town called Green River. This place is famous for sweet water melons. Shirlene's family always looked forward to the days her Dad travelled here on business because he would bring home a sweet and juicy melon. From here it just got warmer. We stopped often for water to drink and splash.

Fortunately for us, this side of I70 is also beautiful, and there were many places to stop, rest, refresh, and soak in the scenery. Replacing the granite peaks, pines, and aspen of the Rockies, were Navajo sandstone, sage, and succulents of the high desert.

This place is a geologists dream, with layers of history visible at every turn. One can see how these layers have been displaced in areas, like a mountain has been set on its side. At the top of the San Rafael Swell we stand on soil which is ages older than the soil at the bottom of the swell. We learned this bit of information while looking at a formation called the Black Dragon.

Overlooking the Ghost Rocks, we learned that this barren looking area was once part of the Spanish Trail. It is also a place that Butch Cassidy and other noted outlaws used as a getaway from the law. We could see how someone prepared to stay in such territory could stay hidden.

After a fun ride on 70, we turned south to Richfield. Richfield is the place where Shirlene was born and raised. We drove by her childhood home and then went to the famous Ideal Dairy for lunch. Because our favorite bakery had closed, the dairy was under pressure to please. And they did. It was a great lunch, and a taste of licorice ice cream brought back many childhood memories for Shirlene.

We travelled back to Spanish Fork via Hwy 89. This trip was not without a variety of weather. It started raining in Richfield. We paused before leaving, thinking we had missed most of the storm, but we got wet. There was quite a bit of lightening in the distance, and the wind picked up. Leaving Richfield, we experienced dust storms as the wind passed over newly ploughed fields. It was much like passing through thick coastal fog as far as visibility goes, but this stuff hurt and made breathing difficult.

We enjoyed going through Manti, and seeing the temple where we were married almost 32 years ago. it was then a straight shot through beautiful farm and dairy land (including turkey farms) to Spanish Fork Canyon, then a thrilling ride through the canyon to Spanish Fork. We will rest here for a few days.