May 30 - Green River UT - Hanksville UT

Up at 4:00 a.m. in preparation to leave at 6:00 a.m. There is so much to re-pack, carry out, and load up besides eating breakfast. It was a comfortable stay thanks to Pastor Kirk. The church has an interesting history. It was constructed in 1906 as the Green River Presbyterian Church, in Victorian Gothic Style. It was the first church in town as a "community church" in predominantly Mormon Utah.

Gary led us in prayer before he and Charlotte took off through town and onto the I-70 West. This is one of those stretches where riding on the Interstate is permissible, since there is no alternative parallel road available.

Utah Highway 24 intersects the I-70 at Exit 149. It is the main highway towards Lake Powell from the North. I began riding and the scenery was spectacular. Redrock hills and fine red sand and grassy vegetation. The road was pretty smooth and straight although somewhat hilly, but the hills were gradual and rideable. Charlotte and I took turns riding and driving, so the miles passed quickly.

Passed the turn-off for Goblin Valley State Park. I had wanted to drive in there and see the famous hoodoos, but Gary and Charlotte were already past the place to turn, so we didn't. What is a hoodoo you may ask. A hoodoo (also called a tent rock, fairy chimney, and an earth pyramid) is a tall, thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of an arid drainage basin or badland. In French they are called "demoiselles coiffees" - "ladies with hairdos." Hoodoos consist of relatively soft rock topped by harder, less easily eroded stone that protects each column from the elements. They typically form within sedimentary rock formations.They range in size from that of an average human to heights exceeding a 10-story building. Minerals deposited within different rock types cause hoodoos to have different colors throughout their height. Hoodoos are found in the High Plateaus region of the Colorado Plateau and in the Badlands of South Dakota. Nowhere in tne world are they as abundant as in the Northern section of Bryce Canyon National Park.

Many buttes were also visable. Another interesting formation is Temple Mountain (elevation 6,773). Stopped at a view point with horizontal hollow pipes welded to vertical pipes pinpointing various formations; the name of each was on an engraved placard. Some of the formations were actually hoodoos so I did get to see a few! Buttes, hoodoos - a geologist's paradise. Most of the tourists at this view point were Europeans. I talked to a French lady and Gary spoke with a Dutch couple.

Descending into a valley. Crossed over the Dirty Devil River which flows southeast to the Colorado River. Passed a farm with a large field of baled alfalfa. Around here they can get 4-5 cuttings.

Highway 24 leads right into Hanksville, our destination. Hanksville was settled in 1882, and known for a time as Graves Valley. It took the name Hanksville in 1885, after Ebenezer Hanks, who was the leader of the group of pioneers who established the small Mormon settlement. It was not incorporated until January 6, 1999. Agriculture, mining, and tourism are the main drivers of the local economy. This small town is rich in folklore and history, and thrives on tourism for travelers seeking a central location to explore Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley State Park, the San Rafael Swell and Robbers Roost. Hanksville was a supply post for Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch who would hide out at Robbers Roost in the desert southeast of town. During the uranium mining frenzy following World War II, Hanksville became a supply center for the prospectors and miners scouring the deserts of the Colorado Plateau. Many abandoned mines can be found in the deserts surrounding the town.

The population of Hanksville is about 350. There is an elementary school in town, but middle and high school students travel 55 miles each way to Bicknell

We are staying in the home of Curtis and Chylene Whipple. Curtis is a Bishop in the LDS church. In 2009 during the "Canyons to Cactus" ride, we stayed in Heber AZ with anothrr LDS family also named Whipple. We asked Curtis if he knew them, but he said "no."

57 miles today. Gary rode all 57, Charlotte rode 36, and I rode 22.6, my high for the year. No road change yet.

If you are so inclined, it's not too late to donate. Instructions are on our www.bikeforthecure.org website.

With love from Hanksville amidst the beauty of God's creation,

Marie