Day 3 - Green River, WY to Steamboat Springs, CO

Much better start to the day than yesterday. We wanted to get away early today, so up by 5:30 and driving out of the parking lot at 6:55. We did the continental breakfast at the motel, which was something on half a bagel. It was good and I’m guessing the something was probably egg and cheese. We didn’t expect to find a Starbucks in Green River and so weren’t disappointed.

Following the advice of a friend who had just visited Flaming Gorge, we started down the West side on Highway 530. What a nice drive. Yes, I’m beginning to change my mind about Wyoming. Maybe it’s just the drive along Interstate 80 that I don’t like. Anyway, the views were great. It was a little strange that there wasn’t a tree in sight for the first 30 miles or so and then suddenly we were in a forest.

After crossing into Utah we continued South on highway 44 and took a side trip to Red Canyon Visitors Center. Trails take you right up to the edge of the gorge and getting a little too close can result in an 1800 foot drop to the lake. Take the warning signs seriously.

On the way down to the Flaming Gorge Dam we stopped at the Red Canyon Lodge and picked up a sandwich to split later on. The dam was kind of a let down. Small. Not much of a visitor’s center. After about 10 minutes we headed back up the hill and off to Vernal, Utah.

About 20 or so miles before Vernal, the highway becomes a little interesting. It starts with a large warning sign stating 10 miles of 8% downgrade with 10 switchbacks. 8% is pretty steep, usually the most you will see is 6% and occasionally 7%. At the first hairpin turn was a sign that said 9 more. There were several runaway truck ramps, however, unlike most which head uphill to help stop a truck, these went downhill. Must have really deep gravel.

We stopped at a really nice Welcome to Utah visitor’s center in Jensen, Utah for our sandwich and then continued East on Highway 40 to Colorado. At the town of Dinosaur, Colorado I made a game time decision to take Highway 64 down to Rangely, Colorado. I have fond memories of Highway 64, having exited a 1958 Oldsmobile through the rear window in 1961. The Rangely hospital is still on the right as you drive through town. I’ve forgotten my room number.

From Rangely it was only 2 plus hours to Steamboat Springs, by way of Meeker and Craig. Turns out our motel was on the very far side of town, but we did manage to find our way back to a nice Italian restaurant.

Today’s question: When driving out in the country have you noticed how some people tend to store stuff in their yards? It’s really amazing. Why do you need 7 broken down pickup trucks sitting around your home? Or a collection of old travel trailers? Or camper shells? Or just plain junk? All of this and more today. Email your answer.

Tomorrow we are off to Estes Park, Colorado through Rocky Mountain National Park. 339 miles today.