Fijis Across America 2010

Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s temper, than capturing a city. 

-Proverbs 16:32

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http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/az/kayenta/466126284306588144

http://www.youtube.com/fijisacrossamerica#p/u/3/OebF4g5c4r4

We departed the First Baptist Church at a later time than normal as we all had a fairly difficult time waking up from the late night of jamming on the guitar and just chilling. I downed a couple of bagels evenly distributed with cream cheese and quickly packed all of my belongings into the trailer. After the dedication, prayer, and stretching we finally left the parking lot and headed for Bluff, UT. Within a few miles the terrain became a scene you would visualize in some Clint Eastwood or John Wayne westerns, with numerous red stained mesas, monoliths, and other various monstrous geologic formations. After struggling to find the adequate cadence for the first several miles and adjusting on the saddle , I finally crossed the border from AZ into the Beehive State of Utah! What a relief to have 2 states complete, and only 7 more to conquer. 

 After taking several pics and discussing our cause with our on the spot hip photographer from So Cal, we headed on down the road into Utah, but stopped short for SAG #1 at 30 miles. In 15 more miles as we traversed through even more rugged terrain and descended down an 8% followed by 6% we opened up into the town of Mexican Hat located near the San Juan River. This would be our periodic stop for lunch, which consisted of PB&J and tortilla chips. After consuming lunch we all paused to take a short nap for about 20 minutes then ventured out for more riding. I soon figured out how Mexican Hat received its name. About 5 miles northeast of town stood a unique geologic formation, uplifted on the top of a mesa that closely resembled a sombrero, or Mexican Hat.

Mile 50ish—-Ascending out of the canyons and passing the labeled “Valley of the Gods”, we passed (well I missed it since I was up  in the front) a wooden sign landmarking the point where Forrest Gump actually stopped running in his epic journey across the country. “I’m pretty tired….I think I’m going to go home now.” Gotta love that 1994 classic. Here’s a little bit of some entertainment to relive the moment if you wanted to watch, however there is unfortunately no dialogue:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA1_aw2wAYI 

Not heeding Forrest’s words in returning home, we slowly arrived after a few mechanical issues into the quaint town of Bluff, Utah. For the night we stayed at a well kept RV Park with all access to showers and Wifi and even another delicious meal fixed by Ms. Vittitow once again. After extensively updating my blog and reminiscing on the past days events,  I hit the sack within the comfortable confines of my solo tent. Can’t wait for tomorrow as we cross the border once again into Colorado!