The View from the Window

What does 1.9 million acres of remote and rugged landscape look like? We found out the answer today. Paul was not in the mood to drive on a major freeway, so when we left this morning to head towards Denver, we took Utah Rte 12, the Scenic Byway. This area was mapped by John Wesley Powell and his sister, and was the last area in the lower 48 states to be mapped. We passed through multiple National Parks and monuments along the way, with a constantly changing landscape. We climbed in elevation a couple of thousand feet, and then back down again. We stopped at scenic turn-outs along the way whenever we wanted and just enjoyed the beautiful day.
We went through the small town of Boulder Utah, not to be confused with Boulder Colorado. Boulder, UT was the last town to receive it’s mail by mule rather than automobile. They also didn’t have electricity until 1947. It wasn’t until the new Rte 12 was finished in the 1980s that the townspeople really had consistant access to the surrounding towns.

At the end of the day we landed in Green River Utah, and spent this evening booking campgrounds for the next week.