Day 32: Dolores, CO to Monument Valley and Mexican Hat, UT
153.01 Miles | 3:01 Riding Time
Today is Sunday, May 12, 2024, and it’s Day 32 of my cross country motorcycle trip.
I’t Mother’s day today. Happy Mother’s Day to everyone who is a mom, or has ever had a mom.
It wasn’t a particularly long riding day today, but it was dramatic. I started out in Dolores, CO, where it was about 35 degrees (1.6 C), and I ended up in Mexican Hat, UT, where it’s 78 degrees (25.5 C). I started out in mountains looking at trees, and I ended up a desert looking at mesas, buttes and rock formations.
The ride today took me through the Ute Mountain Reservation in Southwest Colorado, and into Utah. Then across the San Juan river and into the Navajo Nation to Monument Valley. I passed the Forrest Gump Point , where Forrest stopped running in the movie. There were dozens of people taking pictures there. Through Monument Valley brought back memories of when Donette, Scott and I visited there in 2004.
Back in Mexican Hat, I checked in to my motel, the Mexican Hat Lodge. I met a nice couple from Switzerland that had flown into Las Vegas and drove through the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce—basically the Utah portion of my trip in reverse. They were heading to Monument Valley, through New Mexico and into Texas over the next several days. Safe travels folks. It was nice to meet you.
Also like me, they were looking forward to the restaurant at our motel. Unfortunately, the restaurant was closed. So dinner was a beer and a Cesar salad, plus celery and carrots with dip from the 7-11 across the street.
Tomorrow, I’m checking out the local sights—Gooseneck State Park, the Mexican Hat Rock, Valley of the Gods and the Moki Dugway.