A hidden gem: Flaming Gorge Country

Warning sign on the open range

Today, which is day 14 (or is it 15?) -- our mid-way point;  we traveled much of the north to south length of Wyoming. It was like traveling through at least three different worlds. Wow! While the the area near Grand Teton has some high plains, the middle of Wyoming is, well, open range. I lack further descriptors.

We did spend some time on the Pony Express Trail, the Oregon Trail and others. (Even the ill fated Donner Party went this way. Eek!) Interesting fact: The Pony Express only ran for 19.5 months. They were replaced by the telegraph.

Remote and arid

Navajo Cliffs

So remember the guy from my last post who said the Flaming Gorge is just a recreational area? And that whether or not we liked it would depend on our "values." Not sure what "values" he was referring to, unless he is opposed to natural splendor. The drive we took through this area was magnificent. We saw spawning kokanee (look like salmon) swimming up river; geological formations that defy reason and gravity; all kinds of wildlife; vegetation growing in amazing places, and did I mention the terrifying cliffs? 

Flaming Gorge Reservoir: You can see where the name comes from

One brave tree overlooking Red Canyon

Jan stands near a rock that could tip over and crush him any minute

The vista on the 1500 foot cliff was across this "fissure" from what I consider to be solid ground.

Too scary!

Jan is not afraid. Which makes me even more so

A flag on the slopes

 And did I mention switchbacks? The road signs on the last descent counted them down for us. (There were 12 on that particular descent.) Jan is getting to be less and less of a flatlander as we go.

 The best sign on the road down was one that said, "Blasting area next 2.5 miles; do no leave the highway." Immediately after that was a sign with an image of a hairpin turn that said, "8% grade, 25mph, 5 more left."





Oh yeah, and this gorge got us to Utah. Vernal, Utah, to be exact. Where they really like dinosaurs. We are staying at the Best Western Dinosaur Inn, where our toiletries were presented with a sense of humor.

And here, of all places, we went to the Vernal Brewing Company for dinner. Menu: Deconstructed chicken pot pie with a cranberry balsamic reduction sauce. I really should have taken a picture. Yum.  It was not your banquet frozen meal.