Day 20---California Here We Come (Right Back Where We Started From)

Got up bright and early to go east, back to Dinosaur National Monument.  I was so impressed by Pat's senior pass to National Parks that I bought one for myself.  What a deal, only $10 for a lifetime pass to federally run parks, monuments, forests, etc.

A real fossil, not a reproduction

Careful there, Pat

We were very impressed by the Visitor Center, but were totally amazed by the Fossil Bone Quarry.  They have literally enclosed a side of one hill in a building.  This is new this year, and very nicely done.  The side of the hill is a "log jam" of fossil bones.  One hundred twenty five species have been identified, and Pat and I couldn't help but wonder how many more are still undiscovered.  You are encouraged to put your hand on real 149 million year old fossils, as you see Pat doing.

Blue Mountain

Split Mountain, with the
Green River at its base

 We headed out on a car tour of a small part of the 325 sq mi Monument.  This picture is of Blue Mountain, which we saw when we entered Utah yesterday.  Much of the scenery is due to erosion by the Yampa River, which we saw yesterday, and the Green River, the major tributary of the Colorado.  Split Mountain, which is actually older than the Green River, is visible because of erosion of the Green River, which starts in Wyoming.

Here we are at the level of the Green River, looking at the pink banded cliff of mud and sandstone.  It is called the Morrison Formation and is important because many fossils have been found in its layers in the park.  It was laid down 149 million years ago by a large river that existed in this area then, and in which the dinosaur carcasses accumulated, to be covered by sand and mud and eventually fossilized.

The Monument is filled with petroglyphs made by the Fremont People about 1000 years ago.  They used sharp rocks to chip out figures from dark natural stain on the rocks.  Many shapes are visible, like lizards, big horn sheep and people.  No one knows the purpose of these and their meaning is unknown. 

Flowers growing near Josie's spring

The end of the tour is at a homestead of Josie Bassett, built by her in 1935.  A real legend in the area, she raised all of her food herself, raised cattle, and generally lived the life of a 19th century rancher in the 20th century.  A natural spring waters the area, box canyons were used as corrals, and no electricity was available.  Her log cabin is very spacious, with four rooms and nice large windows.

The end of a box canyon used as a corral

In 1964, Josie died at 89 after breaking her hip.  

Looking back the way we came. we can understand
why Josie Bassett wanted to live here.  What a view!

Leaving the civilization that is Vernal UT behind us, we set out to at least get to Salt Lake City.  We are on a high plateau, most of the time at 6000 feet or better, with some passes at 8000 feet.  You forget you are so high until you get out of the car and realize it is only 60 degrees.  Finally came off the plateau through a very long canyon into Heber Valley.  Houses and people everywhere, this after three hours of lonely road, often with no other cars in sight for miles.

Serious yummmmm!

Looking for a place to eat, we saw a bar-b-que place called Dickey's in Heber City.  We were good yesterday, and hadn't had bbq yet, and it was late, and we were hungry, 'nuf said.  Wow, what wonderful bbq.  Had ribs, which fell off the bone, cole slaw, fried onions pieces, and a roll.  We were told that Dickey's is a national chain and is in California...Pat has a new favorite bbq place in Roseville now.  Seriously good, google it to find a place near you.

Heber Valley is just over the (large) hill from the Winter Olympic site in Parker City, which is just up the road from Salt Lake City.  We were very soon in SLC, coming onto it suddenly, very similar to how fast Denver appears.  SLC appears suddenly as you drive along a very twisty canyon.  We were soon out, also, as the road surface was much better than Denver or St Louis.  We sped along Great Salt Lake, and were soon passing the Bonneville Salt Flats.

On I-80 heading toward the
Wasatch Mountains

At least in Utah you can see
where you're going

Mary Ann and the Flats

The sign welcoming us to Nevada was very welcome. As much as we love quilting and love travel, our own beds are calling us.  What is it about sitting in a car for eight hours that totally exhausts you?  Pat declared that she could make it to Elko, and so it was.  By the way, she now uses cruise control like a champ.

No quilt shops today, but tomorrow we're meeting Pat's cousin, Jerrie in Reno and going to a quilt shop there ;-)

State 15