Day 9 - Zion to Moab (switchbacks to goosenecks)

Last night we decided on a Polygamy Porter and salmon cakes instead of the pp margarita.  I woke up at 3:30 so went out to take pictures of the moon.  It was really beautiful with the full moon glowing on the mountain peaks, and very peaceful. Hope one of the pictures comes out.

We had breakfast and packed up.  Headed out at 9:05.  We passed through Springdale.  (Note:  when we were there the other day, the clerk told me that a water main had broken the day after we got to Zion.  It flooded the town and no one had water.  Lucky we didn't leave the park that day.)

The views are spectacular as you take the road to the freeway.  Back on the highway we passed the snow-dusted hills and took I-70 east just north of Beaver.  We started worrying about gas since we knew a 100-mile no-man's-land was coming up.  We went through a pass at about 7,000 feet then through exits with "no
services" before we finally came to Eisinore with a lone gas station.  We filled up -- gas for the car; Dr. Pepper for us. 

We came to Salina which had a few more services and then passed the sign announcing that it was 105 miles to the next services.  The snow-dusting became heavier as we climbed to about 8,000 feet.  At Salina the map designated the highway as "scenic."  That can be a good or bad thing.  Actually, the road was pretty good.  The only snow along the side of the road was in the shady spots and the temperature was around 55.  There were a number of scenic overlooks.  We stopped at the Salt Wash Overlook with a fantastic view of the canyon lands.

Near the end of no-man's-land (Green River) we descended about 2,000 feet (from 6k to 4k) to the river valley.  The white snow beside the road was replaced by white salt patches.  We got off the freeway at Cresent Junction and took highway 191 south to Moab.

We checked in to our hotel on the north side of town and then took a walk through town. They had several very nice Indian Craft stores. We stopped for a gelato and found a all-purpose grocery to get another SD card for my camera.

After a brief stopover at the hotel, we walked about a block to a Mexican restaurant.  Margarita and good food.  We walked back to the hotel to plan our day tomorrow.