August 26, 2010

West Yellowstone, MT to Provo, Utah - 375 miles

90 Sunny

Day 96

We left Montana behind, driving into Idaho and the Targhee National Forest. The mountains were much like Yellowstone. The views were wonderful.We even had views of the Tetons, and their jagged peaks to the east as we drove south. While in Idaho I wanted to stop at the Potato Museum, but Hugh missed the turn…sure Hugh!

We entered Utah and the weather got hot.We stopped at a rest area on Rt 15. The rest area was also a geological site.At this spot, out in nowhere, and ancient lava flow appeared! There was a two-mile walking loop consisting of the grottos and flows the black lava had created long ago. It was very interesting.

The mountains in Utah were more barren and dry than we had seen in Wyoming and Montana. The traffic increased along with the heat as we neared Salt Lake City. The drive through a constructions zone in Salt Lake City at rush hour was nerve racking. We saw the Mormon temple at Temple Square from the highway. It was huge, and very gothic looking in style. The haze caused by the heat made a good view of The Great Salt Lake impossible.

We arrived at our destination, Riverview RV Park, in Provo, Utah at 5:30pm. Our RV Park was heavily treed and a cool oasis from thee days hot temperatures. After setting up, Abbie had to explore the area. The dog walk was actually on top of a 15-foot levee that protected two sides of the RV Park from the river. Enormous cottonwood trees grew on the sides of the levee and created a green, shady canopy just overhead.

We had just finished dinner ad we heard a strange sound. The air turned milky with dust. Small branches and leaves started flying by. Hugh and I saw one of our neighbors, who had been sitting outside, unsuccessfully hanging on to his RV Canopy as it was taking flight, him with it. Hugh ran out to help him and as quick as the swirling wind started it was gone. Residents were scurrying from the pool, clubhouse, and their RVs saying, "what was that?". We never did find out whether it was a micro burst, or a tornado.

As the rain set in, we settled in for the evening. Snug in the Blue Beast, we talked about the interesting places we had past through that day.

It was beautiful!