WHOA….Utah…Embrace the pace, please.
Posted on Jun 29th, 2009 at 7:35 am by team
June 27th and 28th
The day started out very well and ended very well. We woke up in Vernal, UT in our new, clean, gigantic rooms in the New Resides Inn and headed out, business as usual, at around 8am. We left all of the Dinosaurs behind and had our hearts set on some fun in Park City, UT. Babbs was running like a champ!
There didn’t seem to be a cloud in the sky, but the air was still crisp. For some reason Em and I were super restless in the car and I could not seem to get warm even with all of the sunshine. When we reached Duchesne, UT we were searching for a place to stretch and grab a hot drink.
We stumbled on the Countryside, a small cafe on the west end of town. We were excited to see Tim and Barb stop close behind us. We all sat down for coffee and decided to have brunch, as well. Minutes later Stijnus, Claus, and Sally (the Spyker gang) walked in behind us. It was a really fun unscheduled stop and some good food!
Barb, Emily, Tim, Sally, Claus, Stijnus at Brunch
Daniel’s Pass was 40 miles after our brunch stop . Standing at 7995 feet, we were not nearly as concerned as we were with Rabbit Ears Pass. Who would have thought this would be our least favorite section of the entire drive thus far. The scenery was breathtaking, but unfortunately we were not able to enjoy it as much as we would have liked. The drivers on this section of 40 were mad. People were doing all they could to get around us. Most of the time they made it around us just to slam on their brakes. Em and I were very tense and frequently appalled. It was Saturday. Most of these drivers were towing trailers with boats, so they were going to recreate. Is boat launch time so strict that it is worth risking your life and the lives of others to get there 10 minutes earlier? Why not start your fun a little bit early and choose to enjoy the journey? We stopped at the summit, but wanted to move quickly before all of those same boaters were coming back at us the opposite way.
The traffic is something Alice did not have to contend with. Somewhere after Cheyenne we came to a realization that although we are commemorating Alice’s journey, we have moved away from Alice’s Drive and we are moving ahead with Emily’s drive! (Emily calls it the teams drive, but for ease, I am going to call it Emily’s Drive). The challenges are far different then those that Alice and her team faced in 1909.
Things seemed to mellow out when we reached Heber City. After that, the 18 miles to Park City was pleasant. We still had to pull off when cars stacked up behind us, but we were back to receiving thumbs up, smiles, and waves. It was nice to have a chance to notice the amazing wild flowers that were surrounding us!
We made it to town at 4:30 pm! It was so nice to be able to come in, get settled, head out for a walk, shower and then find dinner out on the town. After a good meal the film crew and I walked back to the hotel and stopped to play some fantastic instruments Park City has set up on the side of the bike path. What an incredible concept!
Jonathan and Ted playing some late night tunes
Sunday was a rest day. Em and I were fortunate to have our friends, Billy, Brita and Adriana Manzo come visit from Salt Lake City to play in the pool and enjoy a meal downtown! Instead of the usual beef for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we treated ourselves to sushi. What a welcome change. The day went very fast, but at the same time it felt like 2 days in one! Terry, I am sorry you thought the worst! We were just having too much fun! AGAIN!
Adriana, Brita, and Billy Manzo
Moving forward.
We changed our plans a bit this week. Originally, we planned to head to Tooele, UT on Sunday and have a rest day on Monday. We decided to rest on Sunday and drive to Lehi, UT on Monday. We will be back on track after that. Looking forward to Monday’s short jaunt to Lehi, UT.
This morning we bid goodbye to Claus, that has been riding in the Spyker for the last 10 days. We are sad to see him go and hope his first time in the US was FANTASTIC!
Sally, Claus, and Stijnus aka the Spyker gang
Link to article in Craig Daily Press
http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2009/jun/29/two_women_reenact_1st_female_transcontinental_driv/
Riding “with you” from this long distance takes its toll, too. Glad to hear all is well and you’re getting some well-deserved R & R!
Terry Huston on June 29th, 2009 at 8:14 am #
It’s funny how people can be in such a hurry to go and slow down.. Sounds like you are coming down to the home stretch. Happy motoring.
Bryan Irwin on June 29th, 2009 at 10:23 am #
It’s been so much fun reading about the trip. I love those unplanned stops at diners and cafes. That’s the best part of those real Americana road trips whether you’re driving in a Maxwell or SUV.
Looking forward to your stop in Reno! Say, we have a new AAA ballpark here in downtown Reno. Wouldn’t it be great to make an appearance with the Maxwell during the game!
Cindy Ainsworth
Reno
Cindy Ainsworth on June 29th, 2009 at 1:08 pm #
Oh and my the way. For a good burger and milk shake be sure to stop at Scoopers on Prater Way in Sparks. An old fashion drive-in. Perhaps after the car shop on July 5th!
Cindy Ainsworth
Cindy Ainsworth on June 29th, 2009 at 1:22 pm #
There is an old, unwritten Utah law that goes back almost to the days of Brigham Young and the pioneers: Never get in the way of a Utahn and his water ski boat! It was a pleasure to meet almost everyone yesterday in Park City. Thanks to Tim for the spin around the block in Babbs. It was a real treat. Any day one can go for a ride in a 100 year old automobile is a good day. I would have hung around a bit more, but Stijnus and Claus needed to get to Salt Lake. I got them over Guardsman Pass and then rode in the Spyker down the other side and down Big Cottonwood Canyon at a fine clip. What a blast. Any day one can go for a ride in a 102 year old automobile is an even better day. Best of luck on the remaining miles of your trip. I’ll keep following along here. When you get to Reno and the NAM, give my regards to Jackie Frady and Jay Hubbard and, of course, give The Flyer a pat on the nose for me. All the Best
Bob Rampton
Salt Lake City
Robert Rampton on June 29th, 2009 at 6:45 pm #
Glad to hear that the Maxwell is running ok, hope the troubles are behind you. I am about ready to fire up my 1911 Buick for the first time. Got a couple more to work on, a Lexington Minute Man six and a Liberty. Kermit Wilke
Kermit Wilke on June 29th, 2009 at 7:41 pm #
Has anyone ever read “Shiffele’s Ride?” It’s the story of a man why decided to ride a horse from the tip of South America to New York City. He did it in the 1920’s and reports the same terrifying rudeness to him and his horses that you and Babbs were getting.
Our county seat hosts a major car rally in the summer and it is not unusual for me to find myself behind a line of vintage autos. Life is too short not to enjoy this!
Shay on July 2nd, 2009 at 10:06 am #