The two blokes at the filling stop in Pinedale strolled across and shook my hand slowly and very firmly each with hands the size of dinner plates. "What do you get out of this thing?"..pointing at the bike.."I can get over 50 mpg" I offered (proud of my new high score). "Seen many animals along the way?"..."well there's plenty of deer around here"..."that's because they're migrating - you're fine as long as you keep your engine smooth. Them deer don't like surprises". Right.
I was heading for Utah and the landscape was changing again. The lush, rolling farmland and fast flowing rivers is replaced by drier, unforgiving landscapes reminiscent of the big cowboy westerns.
You feel close to the desert. The landscape is harsher, steeper and more dramatic (like the approach to the Sahara via the Atlas). Temperature peaked at 32C and stayed there but was moderated a little by strong, gusty side winds. Then as you start to climb higher, the road returns to switchbacks and suddenly opens up to reveal an oasis of colour as far as the eye can see. They call this dinosaur country (as many prints & bones have been found).
I was on the back roads so there was little traffic noise bar the occasional truck grinding through the gears An osprey nonchalantly flapped by as I took this shot. Nearby a pair of hawks soared in the thermals (swainson's hawks I think). I could also hear an ominous rattle from near to where the bike stood. Reminded me this is rattle snake country.
In Walmart later buying my pale ales in Vernal, the young girl on the checkout cheerily asked "Can I see some ID sir?". Made my day.
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