...Continued from previous page!   Nothing like greeting the new morning sun over water.... ...especially when all you really have to do is look out your tent: This was at the “Dewey Bridge Campground” on Highway 128 about 29 miles east of Moab, UT.  Not a bad morning morning view, eh?    My campsite was only 70 miles from my intended destination of Grand Junction.  However, when I was going to sleep last night I thought if I got up early enough that perhaps I might take a longer route to Grand Junction.  I didn't want to arrive too early to see Kobi's ill grandmother since I knew her mornings were busy with medical issues.  Despite yesterday's full day of adventure from Phoenix (full report: HERE), then staying up half the night talking to a new friend, I indeed was ready to roll this morning.  One of my favorite sayings is “Attitudes are contagious... is your's worth catching?!”, and after talking with Eric last night I honestly think I was so charged that I could have ridden to the moon and back today!    So, I decided to head back towards Moab on Utah Highway 128, which by the way is a National Scenic Byway:   You'll notice the Utah state highway signs are designated numbers within a beehive.  In case you're wondering, that's because Utah's nickname is “The Beehive State”.  My understanding is the beehive is an icon within the Mormon religion and Utah adopted the beehive symbol signifying industry and the pioneer virtues of thrift and perseverance.   Below are the photos I took on my lovely morning ride as I made my way back to Moab on scenic Hwy 128....   Road snakes alongside the Colorado River... Those who are familiar with the area can likely guess why I'm backtracking nearly 30 miles into Moab.  On a beautiful day during the off-season I just couldn't pass up the chance to ride a super scenic road... Arches National Park!  Oh, what a scenic ride!  Here are the pics I took while on the 6 mile road in Arches NP: With over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, it's a unique place indeed! “Balanced Rock”: “Devil's Garden” area: A photo I took of a sign describing the view in front on me... ... and the exact view: Rather expansive place, huh?   For more information on Arches National Park, click: THIS   Before leaving the park I stopped at the Visitor Center to fill up my CamelBak with water.  While returning to the bike, I met “Gary”, another V-Strom rider from Southern Oregon:   I think I was so charged up from the wondrous sights I had just experienced that I wasn't ready to head towards the slab of I-70 and Grand Junction.  So, I headed south (yeah, back in the direction of Phoenix!) towards La Sal Junction, UT where I picked up UT-46 and then CO-90 towards Naturita, CO.  I passed 2 cars during the next 60 miles and enjoyed more unique scenery.... The real reason I took this route was so I could hit yet another “official” Scenic Byway.  In Naturita, CO, Hwy 90 meets Hwy 141, also called “Unaweep Tabeguache National Scenic Byway”, which would take me right into Grand Junction.  Riding 3 Scenic Byways in the same morning equals SEIZE THE JOURNEY for sure!  I've seen a myriad of roadside signs in my travels.  This qualifies as an unusual one: A large digital sign flashing “CATTLE ON HIGHWAY” alternating with a picture of a large cow definitely gets one's attention! I made it into Grand Junction and surprised the heck out of Kobi and her grandmother!    Late afternoon I went to a nearby campground where my motorcycle attracted a LOT of attention and questions (like “Does your bike have a jetpack on it??) from “William, Sergio, & Roy”: AGirl Continued On Next Page ..... Copyright © 2006-2012, All Rights Reserved.