More Day 5

San Juan County, Utah 

We drove into Hanksville, Utah.  Population around 350.

"The remote town of Hanksville is about one hour’s drive from any other towns in Capitol Reef Country. Middle and high school students travel 55 miles each way every day to school in Bicknell.

Hanksville was first settled in 1882 and called “Grave’s Valley” after a member of the Powell expeditions. The settlement, which lies at an elevation of 4300 feet, was renamed Hanksville in 1885 for Mormon pioneer leader Ebenezer Hanks.


Agriculture and mining were the primary roles of the community but outlaws such as Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch often came to Hanksville for supplies while hiding out in the nearby canyons."




 Someone there has an "interesting" hobby.  

"Seven miles from Hanksville, the Mars Desert Research Station is a testing area to explore similarities in the terrain between Earth and the Red Planet. Crew and equipment simulation tests occur during the winter months. The BLM also keeps offices in Hanksville."

We turned south on Highway 95 toward Highway 191, which is close to the Colorado border.


 
 



Colorado River that runs into Lake Powell, on the Utah/Arizona border

We first ran into this couple at the scenic turnoff for Hog's Spring.  He came up to us and asked if we had found the hot springs.  Had a good laugh over that.  They were here in their RV from Washington.  She was a vet and he helped run it.  Like us, empty nesters having a good time.  They were on their way to take a boat excursion on Lake Powell. 

 When we got home, we looked into that and taking a boat on that lake sounds super!!  Another trip!

How cool would this be!!??

 This rock formation is called "Joseph's Chair" .  Lots of monuments have Biblical names.

What an amazing adventure we were having!