Caves & Summits, Sun & Snow

Green River State Park, Utah

Our first day on the road and I feel as if we hit all the seasons. The temp registered a cool 32F when we woke up, but it actually felt much warmer. We took an early morning walk and soaked up the sun. Dang it felt great to hear the creek, smell the pine trees and enjoy the quiet morning.

The rangers opened the road to Wheeler Point so we took it as far as we could, up to Mather Point, at about 9000 ft. The view was spectacular! You could see the whole Great Basin stretched out forever. Fortunately, we were open early enough that even after doing the scenic ride up Wheeler Mountain, we were still at the Visitor's Center by 8:30. We took in the obligatory park movie and signed up for the 9:00 tour of Lehman Cave.

Great Basin wasn't a National Park until 1986, but Lehman Cave, its big attraction, was a National Monument since the 1930's. The ranger lead 90 minute tour is quite impressive. We've toured Mammoth and Carlsbad, and what makes this cave so different is the narrow passages and tight places. (Nope, no claustrophobia for me. Go figure!). We both really enjoyed the formations and how close up we were to it all. The park trusts that you won't touch, brush up or take stuff. Our ranger was quite humorous and told some great stories. If anyone is ever driving by Great Basin National Park I encourage you to take the $10 tour. Well worth it. Oh, I almost forgot. Ned officially received his lifetime $10 National Park Pass. This allowed him to take the tour for $5. Getting older does have it perks!

We expected the cave to be the highlight of the day, but in reality the drive into Utah was what really blew us away. We hit all kinds of weather; sun, rain, snow flurries, and saw some spectacular cloud formations. The section of road from Salina, Utah to Green River State Park is one of the most beautiful drives EVER. Seriously, we couldn't figure why this wasn't a national park. It was as if Zion National Park, Monument Valley, and the Thunder Mountain ride at Disneyland were all combined to create this jaw dropping beauty of colors and vistas that went on forever. There were hoodoos, huge red cliffs, snow capped mountains and rainbow colored bluffs.

We're staying tonight at Green River State Park. It's not really all that great, more of a grassy field next to a golf course. It does, however, have flush toilets and a hot shower - which was not available last night. Our plan tomorrow was to drive thru the Rockies, but apparently they are expecting 3 to 6 inches of snow. Ned and I are now pouring over some maps and figuring out a re-route. Looks like heading towards Mesa Verde and hanging a left to Pagosa Springs it is. One can never go wrong with hot springs right? Currently, it's 66F outside, but it feels so much colder than the 32F this morning. Nothing that a glass of wine can't cure...