We got up at 7, did the pet stuff and had breakfast. Then we killed time until leaving for the UTV place at 8. We got there early so we got to watch them prepare the machines.
The machines were four seater Can-Am's. They were as big as small cars. They had a lot of ground clearance and these massive shocks. The shocks gave the the vehicles great suspension travel. They soaked up bumps really well.
The tour took four hours. We followed the guide in his machine. I'm glad we had a guide. I would have quickly become lost in the huge area we covered. Also it was great to have him in front of me during the challenging sections so I could see what line to take.
We climbed up to the top of the plateaus surrounding St. George. We went through a variety of terrain. We spent time on up and down trails, racing across sand dunes, rock crawling, and a couple of twisty banked sections. It was all fun. Twice during the rock crawling we went up nearly vertical rock walls about 10 feet high. On one we went down the same thing.
The vehicles were incredible. They had a lot of power and the suspension soaked up vicious bumps. The ground clearance let us drive over very rough rocky sections with ease at speed.
We stopped several times during the trip for pictures. We also stopped by a local lake that we didn't know was there. The stops were welcome as bombing around in the machines got a little tiring after awhile. I had to keep a tight hold onto the steering wheel at all times. I ended up with a blister on one the fingers on my left hand. I didn't notice until we got home.
We talked a lot with the guide and his wife during the breaks. The Chinese flu has hit them hard financially. When we were done I gave them a $200 tip (the trip was $500). She said today was her daughter's birthday. I told her to get her daughter a big cake.
We were back at the UTV place at 1. We went to a Wells Cargo so I could replenish my $200. The bank was actually open so we didn't have to go to the drive through. Then we went to Freddies for lunch. I miss the place since the one in Austin went tits. After that we stopped at a gas station to fill up the truck and then went home.
We were both hot and dusty from the ride. We sat in the trailer until we cooled off. Then we took shower in the park showers. The shower really felt good. After that it was reading and TV until dinner (leftovers).
After dinner was more reading, TV, games, and a little surfing. Tomorrow will be the longest day of the trip - 360 miles.
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