Broken Transmissions, Utah, and Elevation Geography

I spent most of the day in Utah today.  But before that, I stopped at a rest area in Idaho just north of Utah.  There, a family from Alberta, Canada asked me for help.  They had been driving all night from Canada on the way to Las Vegas, and their transmission broke.  They had phones, but they weren't international so they couldn't even call AAA.  I helped them get in touch with AAA and message their other relatives, who were 8 hours behind them on the road.  Here they are:

Busted Transmission :(

I stopped at the rest stop because I had been seeing this rusty red color on the sides of the mountains since this morning and there was a good view of them there.  I had no idea what they were until I climbed enough elevation to get closer.   They're bushes, with leaves turning. I'm going to call them "burning bushes."

"Burning Bushes" on the Mountainside in Idaho

I got back on the road and was soon in Utah.  There were few of the winding, serpentine roads, even though there were mountains jutting out everywhere.  The average elevation in Salt Lake City, which I passed through today, is 4,327 feet. The highest elevation in Salt Lake City is and the highest is Grandview Peak, at 9,410 feet (2,868 m).  I'm staying tonight in Price, UT, which has an elevation of 5,627 ft., higher above sea level than the Mile High City, Denver, CO.  With all that, the roads were relatively straight, and speed limits were from 65 to 80 mph with a few exceptions for road work or the few switchbacks on mountains.  Utah is the fourth state where I've seen wind turbines (others being Washington, Oregon and Idaho).

Wind Turbines in Utah

Helping a family just about 50 miles after starting today's drive set the tone for a good day, including an appreciation for the relative lack of trouble I have had on the trip so far.  And just to top it off, I had another beautiful Western Sunset today.

Sunset in Price, UT - September 18, 2014

Travel Log - Thursday, September 18, 2014
Departed from Pocatella, Idaho at 10:40 AM
Arrive in Price, Utah at 5:20 PM
285 miles

States on Return Trip:
Washington
Oregon
Idaho
Utah

All posts copyright 2014 by Don Harrison