Utah – Law Abiding Mormons or Meth Addicts? You Decide!

So, after leaving the Mad Greek in dusty, remote Baker, CA (and taking our shake with us)

we kept driving.

Into Nevada.

And after passing some very interesting ads for excellent job opportunities,

We came upon Vegas – rising like some kind of nightmare mirage out of the 100 degree heat.

We stopped at In-N-Out where it was so hot that Alice hopped around, her poor paws cooking on the parking lot until we got into the shade.  We had to eat outside, too (no chance we were gonna tie her up and leave her in the heat).  I should mention that the last time I was in Vegas was when we Andrew and I got engaged.  We went to In-N-Out that time, too.

Anyway, after Andrews Double Double with and my single without, we  were on our way to Utah.

We drove some more through some serious desolate landscape. It was nuts. Maybe it was watching Thelma and Louise one time too many – I love the scenes when they are driving through the desert moonscape at night – but I had some seriously high expectations of the desert scenery.  Driving through Nevada was beautiful in a desolate, “oh my gosh why would anyone live here” kind of way.  But then we hit Arizona – we were totally shocked, we didn’t know we were passing through there, too! It was the northwestern tip, and the minute we entered AZ the scenery got breathtaking – the road in places was literally carved into the mountains. We both agreed that AZ kicks NV’s ass in the scenery department. However, this part of AZ was *totally* empty. I mean NO ONE. If we did see someone, they were suspect – what could anyone possibly be doing in the middle of NOWHERE? We were both freaked out, wondering what kind of animal or axe murderer would eat us if our car broke down.

Utah was worse in that way.

The scenery totally changed here, too. More green stuff.

We also saw a cool RV

We pulled over to pee the dog and take a break when we learned that people in Utah don’t stop for red lights. I am not kidding. We almost got t-boned twice. Maybe it is all the meth…or the aliens…but either way, it is no lie to say that, at every red light, people just kept cruising through. Didn’t matter if there were cars in the intersection! Total lawlessness in the traffic department. Not to mention the fact that we nearly got sideswiped countless times by Utah drivers meandering all over the highway like, well, someone jacked up on something!

We drove some more into Utah – also creepily empty (but lovely) after that first town – and at 9pm found ourselves in Richfield. The first hotel we found was packed to the gills with ATVs and trucks with ATVs.  I wouldn’t get out of the car. Nope.

We were told that there were only basement rooms available.

No chance.

So we found ourselves at the Royal Inn.

Whilst waiting for Andrew to check in, I observed a fire with people sitting around it, and many, many ATVs. Tweaked out looking people pulled in next to me and eyed me, then moved on. Alice and I went into the lobby with Andrew.

They must have named the motel on Opposite Day.

Oh – the room is clean, and the man at the desk was friendly.

But the fact it was run down and I wouldn’t take off my flip-flops once inside the room does not begin to explain half of it.

Then, my sister Alexis told me that Utah is Meth Central – she actually asked me if I had seen any tweaked out ATV riders? HA! I have seen HUNDREDS!

Turns out, the man at the desk told Andrew there was an ATV Jamboree in Richfield tomorrow, and that if we had come a day later there would have been no room at all in the town. People come from all over the country – as far as VA even – to ride their ATVs.

Huh. Who knew? I am just glad we didn’t have an Oklahoma City hotel situation happen. Inauspicious for the trip for sure.

The next morning, we woke up, and Andrew had found this yummy place to have breakfast – the Little Wonder Cafe!  Apparently a lot of movie people have been there since so many movies are filmed out in Utah!

We sat in Tommy Lee Jone’s booth.

Yummy pancakes (still not as good as in Cherokee in OK, however, the creamers did have our anniversary date on them)

and eggs, after which we decided to take a stroll in quaint downtown Richfield. Passing many parked ATVs on the way,

we saw evidence of churchiness everywhere – 10 Commandments in windows, business closed on Sunday – the rat pack in life size statue form – you name it!

So we left Richfield, on our way to Colorado…on the way the scenery was stunning. We stopped at a scenic overlook (there were tons of them) and saw a gorgeous canyon AND I got some cool jewelry! Shopping and seeing stuff – can’t beat it!

Tomorrow Colorado and Kansas!

xox
j