Hopkins 4K for Cancer

July 12, 2003

Blanding's anything but bland
Day 42

Moab UT to Blanding UT



We had a 5 a.m. wake-up and I was still exhausted…. We took off at 7 ish. Out of Moab, we had to backtrack 22 miles. The last part of yesterday’s ride had been all downhill, so this meant lots of morning uphill. I rode with Renee all day; we went at a comfortable talking pace. The scenery was beautiful: more arches and mesas. We passed by Lopez Arch, for example, and stopped by the Hole ‘N The Rock for pictures.



During our lunch break in Monticello, some of the riders discovered the local “shake-shack” that apparently had great smoothies, shakes and such. I actually fell asleep on one of the picnic tables.



The ride into Blanding was really neat. We passed by Recapture Reservoir. It looked artificial, though, because it was bright turquoise. In Blanding, we napped again on the lawn of the dinosaur museum. It was probably on of the best naps so far! We were woken up for dinner, which was provided in the museum at the Edge of the Cedars State Park. Afterwards, we took a look around the museum. Upstairs, they had these two large turkey-feathered blankets. One of them had quite a few holes it in: the caption explained that it had been eaten by various insects before it was found and preserved.



At night, we had rooms donated at the Cliff Palace Hotel. I think all of us appreciated warm showers and beds in which to sleep!



Gloria Vasconcellos