The morning started out chilly as we hit the Red Canyon Trail. After eight miles of trail, we merged on to hwy 12 where we spent the rest of the day. We topped our first summit at 7777 ft. Little did we know that was small potatoes to what awaited us. As we spiraled down toward the Escalante River, we suspected we might be in trouble. Sure enough a wall of highway with a 14% grade blocked our assent - again, and again, and again. Every time we thought we were seeing the top, the road would bend and the climb would continue. We gritted it out until we finally reached a high mountain ridge that we followed into Boulder, UT. 83 grueling miles today - and we're only half way up the summit. Tomorrow we awake to 14 more miles of steep climbing before a vertical drop and then rolling hills on into Caineville, UT. "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger" - Boy! Are we getting strong!
A birthday shout-out for Diane Proud and Andrea Ray Smith. Hope you both have great ones. We will be thinking about you on our ride. In fact, we are sharing your birthday carrot cake with lots of cream cheese icing.
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