10/22/2021 Summary of a Month in Utah above 3000+ feet

Roads:  

• All the roads are single lane roads (one lane going in each direction).
• For the most part the roads are good with the exception of Rt 24.  Rt 24 even though marked as a truckers road is a tough drive.  The lanes are skinny, windy, with very little berm and steep drop-offs.
•   Many of the roads are marked at 65 MPH.  In many cases this speed limit is great for locals but way to fast for us out of towners
• I learned that riding the COW using 5th gear, instead of 6th gear allowed me to have more control for the windy roads and mountain landscape
• 6%, 8%, 10%, 12% grades in the Rocky Mountains while driving the COW are nerve racking.  Both going up the grade and especially going down.  Down Shift, Down Shift, Down Shift.

Elevation:

• We discovered that I can handle 5000+ feet, but when I spend time a day or more at 5900’ I experience the on-set of elevation sickness.
• Once a Flat-Lander, always a Flat-Lander.  I guess growing up in Ohio for 64 years at just above sea level has become the norm for my body.

Campgrounds:

• No such thing as a resort with cement pads.
• Most are dirt, dusty pads
• Most have ATV’s of all types licensed to ride the road, in the campground
• Most water comes from local wells.  Many seem to have a high level of natural salt in the water supply (or chlorine) as the water foams up at the drains.
• Most are located is small 4 blocks or smaller towns.

Fuel:

• For something as big as the COW that needs diesel, you’d better fill up when you come across a location where you can enter and exit safely.  These type of fuel stations are few and far between

Scenery:

• Everywhere you look it is amazing.  Mountains, Mountains, and more Mountains.  The colors in the mountains are picturesque.