6-19-17

Our hope for warmer temps at night were dashed when we learned that the expected low was 44 degrees. We have 40 degree sleeping bags, long pants, heavy socks, and long sleeves to sleep in but last night was rough. Lorelei started with her parka as an extra blanket and ended up sleeping in it. We used our towels and outer layers of coats and still froze. I woke up every two hours to change positions and find some way to be warmer. I had on a tank top, a running jackets lined in fleece and a hoodie and still I slept with my face in the sleeping bag the entire night. I think because we have cots, we are getting the airflow all around us which is great when it's really warm out but brutal when it is cold. It does not bode well for Yellowstone in a few days where temps are supposed to be in the 30's at night. 

Luckily these cold nights roll into pleasant mornings and then hot days. We were both in shorts and tshirts by 8:00 as we broke down camp and ate. We drove 3 hours only stopping once for the cop who got me speeding. Luckily I managed to talk my way into a warning. Thank you Colorado state troopers!!  We got to the first Dinosaur National Monument visitor center. This is the Canyon one and does not have the fossils but it has some great views. We drove the road and then made a lunch of leftover pizza from two nights ago. 

Back on the road to the next visitor about 30 minutes away, we enjoyed the visit to the fossil quarry and took in all of the little hikes to see the petroglyphs. We also visited the cabin of a woman pioneer which was pretty cool. There are lots of free range signs for cows and we finally had one cross the road in front of us. We also saw a herd of pronghorn antelope on the drive. 

About 4:30 we drove into the campground in Vernal, Utah for the night. We setup camp and laid on our cots trying to cool off in the shade of our tent from the 90 degree heat. Eventually I made quesadillas for dinner and the sun went down and we were cooler. Temperatures tonight are expected to be in the 60's so hopefully we will sleep well.