Day 2:  Twin Falls to Cedar City

We decided to avoid the Interstate and headed south on highway 93 towards Nevada.  We passed through flat, treeless plains framed by snow dusted hills in the background.

The high winds of yesterday (reportedly up to 50 mph) were diminished today so the tumble weeds lumbered by instead of attacking as we drove.  It was a very scenic and peaceful drive.

As we approached Nevada, we started to see casino billboards and as soon as we crossed the Nevada line we found ourselves in Jackpot, a small berg consisting of about 15 casino/hotels, the State Line Liquor Store, and an RV Park.  Soon we were back in the scenic zone. 

We passed back into the Pacific Time Zone as we crossed the Nevada line where the time zone makes a sharp turn to the east and doesn't drop south again until the Utah state line. We found ourselves in the mountains and cruising at about 6000 feet.  We turned east onto I-80 at Wells roughly following the Historic California Trail. 

As soon as we got to the Utah border, we found ourselves on a long strait road through the salt flats of the Great Salt Lake.  This is a marshy wetland, sometimes wet, sometimes white with salt, and sometimes something that looks like quick sand.  I imagine many a covered wagon got stuck as they were traveling the California trail.

After 99 miles of straight flat highway, we got off at Tooele for gas and tacos at the Travel Center.  Back onto the freeway we got a glimpse of the Lake off to the north.  The white, snow covered mountains and wispy, white clouds framed the lake perfectly.

Soon we were surrounded by traffic (don't know where they all came from) reminding us that we were on the outskirts of Salt Lake City.  We took I-215 south to I-15 in 7+ lanes of traffic. That lasted until we got to Spanish Fork where the lanes were once more down to a reasonable number and the traffic thinned.  

Soon we were back into the scenic zone and with the speed limit back to 80 mph we decided toget as far as possible. We made it to Cedar City after about 8 hours of driving.  We will stay here two days and then head to Zion on Sunday.

We walked the 9 blocks into town and had dinner at the Centro Woodfired Pizza Shop.  Asparagus pizza with a local beer.  Really hit the spot.  We walked back through the campus of Southern Utah University.  We will do some local touring tomorrow.