A Detour To Moab To Avoid The Slab
Monday, May 5th, 2025
With scenery like this it was definitely time for a photo stop.
On the second day of this RMMRC California trip we were in no rush leaving Fruita. We were only going to Loa, Utah, which if you go straight there would be only 197 miles and less than three hours. But it would also be almost all interstate.
That’s not something anyone’s interested in so we decided to get off I-70 at the Cisco exit in Utah and take Utah 128 south to where it goes into a canyon carrying the Colorado River down to Moab. This is a really nice ride and while I had been through that canyon many times, some of the guys had never done it. Plus, it only adds about 60 more miles to the day’s ride but you get off the interstate.
Gene had been talking about what good roads Utah has so he was a bit defensive when the first stretch of road off the highway was quite a bit less than smooth. Soon, though, we intersected the portion of the road coming from the next exit to the west and we turned south and then it was all nice, smooth asphalt. And it was quickly getting pretty darn beautiful.
We reached the canyon and went down into it and now the scenery notched up a big step. We’re in red rock country Utah. Utah, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful states in this country.
At one point we’re coming down this road with high cliffs above us on both sides and there, dead ahead, was a snow-capped mountain rising right out of the center of the canyon. It was agreed we had to stop for pictures.
This was a nice thing about this trip. Five of the six of us were connected with our Cardo communicators so we could actually have these conversations. The last time I’d been on a long trip with this group there were only a few connected and nobody was stopping for what would have been great photos or simply to take a break. This is much more my style of riding.
There was talk of lunch in Moab but I cautioned about going very far into that overgrown mass of congestion so we decided to just take the right turn when we came out of the canyon (US 191) and immediately head north again to the interstate. Lunch in Green River.
After lunch we got back on I-70 just a short distance to where we headed south toward Hanksville (Utah 24). We were headed to Loa and Loa is on US 24 but between Hanksville and Loa is one big section of terrific scenery: Capitol Reef National Park. We had covered quite a few miles at this point and probably everyone wanted to take a break but finding a good spot was tricky. We pulled off at one place but I objected that shade would be preferable. It was a hot day. Yeah, but is there some place with shade or are we just going to keep riding? We went on and in about two miles came to a really nice shaded spot. Much better!
We got on into Loa and though this is a very small town in the middle of just about nowhere, the Snuggle Inn proved to be an amazingly nice place. Talking later to some friends who have been there they said yeah, this place is renowned for being the best motel you’d never expect to find.
So we got settled in and later walked up the street to the only cafe for dinner. It was the only cafe for breakfast, too, so we agreed on KSU here at 9:30 the next morning. And then to top off the day, walking back we encountered this wonderful, big golden retriever who was thrilled to see his best buddies and who we were equally pleased to say hello to. Who’s a good dog?
Biker Quote for Today
And so it goes on those days when the demons begin to creep in. I pull the bike out of the garage and strap on my helmet. Slip on some gloves, adjust the goggles and start up the engine. I feel the roar of the beast beneath, rumbling and ready to carry me away to god-knows-where.
