Thursday June 23
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| San Rafael Swell |
We leave Moab around 10:45 am with already warm temperatures. Driving west along I-70, I notice the change in colors of the rocks. We are leaving the bright red soil for light green/ tans. We ascend the San Rafael Reef and truck alarms are going off everywhere. Engine oil temp, coolant temp, and transmission temp are all higher than they've been before (but still within the safe zone -- alarms are intentionally set on the low side). Tire temperatures are getting up there too, but tire pressure is still ok. We stop to admire the view and let everything cool down a bit and bump up the thresholds on the temperature alarms. Scott did an incredible job getting us ready for the trip (adding an Edge Insight monitor package and TST tire pressure monitor for all 10 wheels) and all these alarms are helping us prevent mishaps along the way. We spot several vehicles along the way that have to be towed and am glad it is not us. If your truck is at all marginal, this road will kill it. We aren't done climbing yet: We ride the San Rafael Swell and stop at Ghost Rock for some pictures and learn that outlaws used to hide in the canyon valleys. Some of the rocks are now almost totally white, hence the name Ghost Rock.
We finally turn and head south towards Las Vegas on I-15. We pull into the KOA campground in Cedar City around 5:30 pm when temperatures are about 96 degrees. This campground is on a major highway but has the most roomy sites of any we’ve been to so far. We set up and realize that it is getting so much quicker to unhook and set up after we’ve been doing it for awhile. The girls are anxious to help (for the first time) since we have guaranteed them a trip to the pool later if they help. While the temperatures are warm, there is a nice breeze blowing and we enjoy a great dinner outdoor. Later we all go to the pool and then play a game of states and capital sequence. It is amazing to hear both girls talk about the states now.
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