Day 11 Blanding Utah

Wow! Today went well beyond superlatives. I thought after yesterday's grind through Nevada that I was over the desert( sorry Tom), but today showed me or reminded me that the desert takes many different forms.
We rode through Capital Reef National park followed by Glen Canyon , lake Powell and a little side trip to the natural bridges monument where Dave got me into trouble, more about that later.
Today was all about that classic Utah scenery, mesas, buttes and the most amazing rock formations you can imagine. Much of it was framed by vegetation to soften the view.
It is simply rediculous how mother nature can just slap you through the face with these astonishing views around every corner, for mile after mile.
Dave and I rode in a leisurely fashion today, often below the speed limit ( a stark contrast to yesterday's hell for leather race away from the thunderstorms ). What a pleasure. Lots of stops. We even dipped our toes in a bit of off roading in Capitol reef that really whetted the appetite for tomorrow.
I can't put all the pics of today but enjoy the gist of it.
So, a few other things. We met Sally and Mat who are riding their bicycles across the states. Respect, truly. I immediately felt like a simpering pansy thinking that I have a few aches and pains after just a few full days riding. They were just doing short 40 miles day, laden with gear in 30+ degrees Celsius over some significant hills.
So, thanks to my friend Dave I got a talking to from a park ranger. I was happily cruising ( actually desperately chasing Dave) up on the pegs. I sat down to find my rear view mirrors full of flashing lights. A ticking off and lesson learnt. The best bit was riding on for a few miles to the next intersection wondering where Dave is. No sign of him, a bit worried,as we always would wait at intersections but never mind.I didn't think he knew I had been pulled over. I'm about to pull off when I hear beep, beep. I'm looking everywhere and eventually about 100m in dense bush I see this orange helmet poking out. Now Stevie and Rickie, do not take an example from your dad. I don't know why he bothered. I gave my name as Dave McMillan anyway...
Tomorrow Hovenweep and Mesa Verda, thanks Tom
Enjoy the pics
P.S. no alcohol bylaw I'm Blanding, I didn't know that when we stopped. I expect Dave will will get a bit of a fright tonight at 4am when he is tapping out emails to find me leaping naked out of bed shouting "the ants are crawling under my skin, or the pink elephants are after me!"

The picture of the streamlined couple is Sally and Mat, for the dumb ones who couldn't work that out.