Greetings from Jensen, Utah

Jensen is just outside of Vernal, Utah which is just outside of nowhere.  We were in search of Dinosaurland.  It was supposed to be 90 miles from last nights campground.  We left at 9:30 and arrived at dinosaur national monument at 3:30.  It was the longest 90 miles and it was probably my fault because I made us stop at every pullout.  Each one was better than the next.  We did not know that the road from Ft. Bridger to Vernal was a scenic highway but we were plesantly surprised.  Just like in life, sometimes the unplanned is better than the planned.  We drove the whole way through red rock gorges and followed the Green River.  All of the water we have seen is clear green and looks like the Caribbean.  The best part of the drive was the 9 miles with nine switchbacks and 8% grade.  I had to look that up...it drops 8 feet for every 100 feet traveled...steep!  I was on the phone with my daughter when we started the decent or I would have screamed the whole way.  We made it but not before my phone call was cut off several times.  I am glad to say that Chris did an awesome job and we did not use any of the runaway ramps.

When we arrived in Vernal we went to the post office to pick up mail that was forwarded to us by Ci and Ashby.  So lucky to have them taking care of it for us.  Then we headed to find a campground.  The first one was a giant gravel parking lot for forty dollars.  There was no grass and no trees except in the playground.  Chris did not want to cookout our tube steaks on gravel.  So we followed signs to a KOA that took us to the dinosaur park.  The ranger said those signs are misleading and the road we should have turned onto was under water.  There was a campground at the park so that is where we are staying.  No electricity and no generators after 9pm but for $6 we will rough it.  The only problem is that we both have sleep apnea so we are going to try going through the cigarette lighter.  Hope the engine starts in the morning.

We hope to see beautiful stars tonight and dinosaur fossils tomorrow.  Maybe good pictures of the night sky.

Peace to my family and my friends,  Barbara