South Central Utah

Is better than South Central L.A. I can tell you that much.

I rode out of Ely on 50 and continued. I like western NV. I’m not sure why it’s not populated but I’m glad it isn’t. This is what I imagine the Great Basin that Reno sits in would be if it were mostly empty.

I stopped at the same place for lunch that I did last year in Salina, UT. It’s a little drive through called Gatorz. I ordered a burger, the Gatorz burger, and asked for it on a bed of lettuce because of my allergy to the gluten monster. While the gals were very nice abou it you would have thought I’d asked for a poop sandwich. First look: shock. Next: disgust. Third: quizzical as if something like that could be done – a burger, no bun? We’re heading into uncharted territory! Circle the wagons! Get the chief on the horn! Up periscope! Red leader, I’m going in!

The lettuce is pre-shredded, so would I like that as a salad? Nope. Just put the whole thing on top. It’d be easier with two slices of tomato as buns, are you allergic to tomato? I’m not, that sounds fine. And on, and on for the entire cooking with questions being relayed from the gal in the kitchen to the gal at the counter.

They offered a reason for the confusion. They don’t usually put vegetables on burgers. Got it.

I sat outside out of sight of the shop in the back grassy area. But as soon as I finished they were both hovering to a) see if I had died from this strange ailment, and 2) if it was any good.

Not dead yet & yes.

From there I made a choice to turn a blind eye to interstate 70 and pick up route 24. As I recall from last time, 70 was a pretty good ride. 24 was also pretty dang good. I passed through Capital Reef National Park and, boy, was it. This part of Utah is mighty impressive.

I made it to Green River, UT, made a lovely camp, and proceeded to lie awake for most of the evening thanks to a giant wind storm.