Suzi Goes West: Day 16 - Thursday, October 2: Panguitch, UT to ... Panguitch, UT

START - Panguitch, UT

END - Panguitch, UT

MILES - 277

Didn't want anything posted until I had talked with Kate. I might have a little explaining to do.

It's a beautiful day outside, and Miss Kate is loaded and ready to go. I know she was Suzi when we started in Vermont. Indeed she was. But both of us have been moving along a road. All those miles and meals have done a little reshaping. My calculations indicate that we have traveled 3585 miles. Meticulous pre-trip planning indicated that the a back road journey would take me about 3600 miles. Since Murphy's is just 15 miles away, I'm going to have some playtime and Bryce and Zion today.

I didn't bother to take any pictures of the frost on the bike this morning, but I was checking the temperatures as the night went on. It was amusing watching a tourist take pictures of his frosted vehicle. I had done the same thing yesterday. It's all relative!

Should probably mention to any blog readers that the nicknames Kate and Harold were assigned by brother Richard many years ago. Teri has always considered the nickname Kate an affectionate term of endearment among the Grant boys.

Should probably mention here that she does not feel that same way about them calling her a "good woman". I think she's paid a high price for that role and doesn't like to be reminded of it.

As I mentioned, the Internet upload here was fabulous. By far the best of any spot along the trip. It stands to reason that it would be good at Harold's place. I dumped a bunch of uncategorized pictures into the dropbox and along the way they invited me to sign up for the paid version because I'd exceeded the free version capacity. I'm going to go outside and shoot a few daylight pictures. Then will allow a little extra time for the shady spots to get defrosted before hitting the road. It promises to be a beautiful day.

Because you've ridden out here, you understand the draw. I uploaded the map pic up for Day 16. Forward progress is not as readily apparent as some of the other days. It's beautiful country.

Because you've ridden out here, you understand the draw. I uploaded the map pic up for Day 16. Forward progress is not as readily apparent as some of the other days. It's beautiful country.

Route 12 is one of those roads you don't mind repeating. I had seen the scenery on the way north, looked at the bigger towns that would be involved if I did a loop, and just decided to turn around and see the scenery in the other direction (it's different you know) on the way back.

You really can't capture it in pics, I'm sure it's delightful in a car, motorhome, or bus, and I saw people enjoying it from bicycles. But for me, a motorcycle was definitely the way to do it.

Apologies that digital photography in stills can't really capture the essence of it all. There were a couple of pics I would've liked to of had, carving through the narrow walled road in a section of pink sand stone, and near the top there were three cattle grazing around a National Forest sign. The sign said "Use Your National Forest Resources Wisely". It was at that spot I decided that I was having beef tonight.

Along route 12, I have the only non-selfie picture of me for this trip, aside from those you took while we were in Vermont. I was standing on the edge of the canyon, backing up and trying to get a photo with just the right effect, when Denise walked out of the bathroom. She offered to take a pic for me. She's traveling with her husband and four-year-old, and I imagine intervening to avoid a disaster is a routine thing for her.

On the return trip, I again found myself at the end of the 12, and there was no question that I would again be staying at Harold's place. I could've pushed further down towards the junction to get a head start into Zion from there tomorrow, but whether Lar's Place or Harold's Place, difficulty launching was now a tradition.

I stopped in and got registered for the night, yes room two was available, and because it was still comfortable riding, we headed down to check out a little bit of Highway 14. That is another great ride in this area. There was no need to unload the bike, neither of us was feeling it.

Many have asked, and I certainly questioned before the trip, how comfortable I would be riding that little 250. Day 16 should shed a little light on that. Day 17 starts with riding another 43 miles before I get to the junction of 89 and 9 to resume forward progress towards home. I was last at that intersection in the afternoon of Day 15.

I know my journey, as planned for an 18 day ride, is nearing the other end of the road. Towards the end of the riding day, on a little dirt road off from Highway 14, I paused for a while and journaled my thoughts.

I'm glad to say, just like being at Harold's for another night, that all seems in balance. I'm not yearning for it to go on, and I don't want it to end any earlier. I don't have a bucket list of things to do, but I have added to my bucket list of things done.

I sat down last night and did the mileage math. I won't be making the festivities at grape stomp in Murphy's on Saturday. That had been my Day 18 wrap up target.