Day 14, Mon 9/21: Baker to Milford, 84 Miles and a Dust Storm

Welcome to Utah!


After a lovely night's sleep we awoke to the sound of sandhill cranes in a nearby field. With optimistic thoughts, we started our day to Milford. We had three passes to climb, and 84 miles to go. It was a beautiful morning, through a pretty and green agricultural area for a little while, turning to gray and brown landscape enlivened only by the ridges forming an interesting skyline and the yellow-gold glow of the chamisas. We crossed the border into Utah, happy that we conquered Nevada and the Loneliest Highway. We flew along the edge of the valley watching vultures, raven, and later a peregrine falcon and a kestral. The first climb to the summit was short and mellow. Then after the downhill, the side wind came at us through the valley. We had to ride almost side by side, the windward rider buffeted by the strength of the wind. The next climb up to Wah Wah summit was windy and long. The road just kept going and going and going and going. Waaah waaah, we were whining as we climbed up to Wah Wah, tiring from the wind and the climb. After slow going, and many thoughts of "it is just around the corner", we finally got to the top. Bill was waiting with water, the chairs set out in the sun, and we ate grapes and cookies to get psyched for the downhill, then the last climb. As we got on our bikes, just starting downhill, we saw the dust storm along the valley in the distance. Waaah, waaah. We were buffeted by the wind on the downhill and through the valley as we headed into the dust. We felt like Lawrence of Arabia crossing the desert. It was a real slog, again taking turns riding side by side. Fortunately the dust storm abated so we only had the wind to battle up to the next summit. We made it, then another 14 miles down into Milford, a small town but major railroad stop. The campground was "a joke", dirt and spindly small trees so we opted for a room at the Oak Tree Inn. The diner next door provided our afternoon snack, and supper. A shower, jacuzzi and a good night's sleep completed the day. It certainly was one of the most difficult, right up there with the first day's Oakville Grade ordeal.


Dust Storm Ahead!