Alaska to Mexico Marathon. Day 20. Saturday 16th September.

As previously noted, it was an 8.00am start to the day. And we started out of the gates at 8.43. ie 43rd car out. Not quite last.

There were a few changes to the road book but nothing major. So we left the starting blocks at 8.43 heading south through the centre of Moab 36km to a passage control at Geyser Pass.

As usual, gravel roads, 81 kms of them. We passed through, and up roads that led to areas where snow/ice was present. A little higher up than we were but still close, which indicates how high in altitude we were.

This was the regularity start for the day, 26kms of time/distance testing. Some very rough roads one which the speed changed many (7) times from 35 to 48kph. Can’t take photos of this due to the number of things going on in the cabin during one of these

It was rough going and Betty was rattled quite some. I don’t think we did so well from a competitive position but it’s always interesting. she wasn’t really made for this type of country.

Then 55km down again in altitude to Eightmile rock. These rocks are massive. The photos don’t do it justice.

We had driven to the top of one of the canyon flat top areas some 1900 metered in altitude. This scene was spectacular. Awesome. Overlooking a vast expanse of canyon as far as the eye could see.

At Eightmile Rock we proceeded to a short, what I would call a dirt farm track on which we were expected to go as fast as the car would go down the track and stop at a timing stop. And we did go fast. Good fun on what was like red (Aussie) soil/bull dust tracks, for only about 1k.

We were then directed to follow a 11km road newly sealed road out to Needles Overlook. Not an exciting name. But on arrival once exiting the car, wow!!!

Onto lunch at the Granery Mill. Nothing spectacular but we needed to refuel. We were consuming fuel at a great rate like, 17 gallons to traverse 212kms!! Probably due to the altitude and temperature as well as the loose winding gravel roads

From Gramercy Mill to Indian Creek for another 8km regularity. This road was very rough to the extent that the question is asked, why wreak the car just to beat the clock. And the rest of the 70odd kms on gravel to the hotel. Remember that when doing a regularity the driver has to observe the road conditions, bends and curves and bumps and fords. To boot, it’s a public road and we will encounter cars and bikes and motor bikes all the while being told by the navigator to go faster or slower.

It’s a handful sometimes.

The course was altered and shortened by approx 40k’s due to washouts of the roads selected for this rally. So we headed to the accomodation.

We are at the Bluff Dwellings resort and spa, a hotel set into the canyon rocks at Bluff. Again, wow!!! The canyon rock structures are mind blowing.

It’s hot here. And I mean hot. Most of the cars are being seen to by the mechanics to make them good and ready for a 505km run to Springfield tomorrow.