Sampling the Interstate - Green River, UT (Day 45)

This morning, we left Moab, UT after a day off filled with adventure, suspense, and intrigue. The day before, a number of us partook in a myriad of outdoor activities ranging from ATV riding, mountain biking, dirt biking, rafting, and hiking through Arches National Park. Moab as a community is particularly interesting because it offers some of the most unique vistas on earth; the community caters to the adventure seekers (like us) looking to enjoy the terrain that the area has to offer. Part of the Colorado Plateau, the area consists mostly of red-tinged rocks formed over millions of years of wind, pressure, and most of all, water.

Speaking of water, the morning started off by our group visiting a natural spring and filling our bottles with delicious natural spring water tapped from the underground water deep inside the red rocks of Moab. Much of the team was concerned about parasites or water contamination... not me. The crystal clear water was truly satiating, a beverage that really hit the spot.

The first part of the route started on a bike path that took us to the entrance of Arches National Park. Eventually the bike path deteriorated to the point where it was unusable; my group of three riders decided to crawl under a barbed wire fence that divided the bike path and the state road and ride along the road. Eventually, we reached our first water stop: the Moab municipal airport. The second leg of the day took us to I-70, where we were aided by a brisk tail wind all the way to Green River, UT. The short 50 mile day ended in Green River at around noon. We were served lunch by the staff of the Green River Community Center. Their staff consists of a number of AmeriCorps volunteers who assist in their summer children's program. It was interesting to hear their story because in many ways, they were going through a similar experience as us. We are both groups of volunteers spending our summers together for a specific cause.

I was particularly impressed by the generosity of the town. In a town with a 40% poverty rate, the community welcomed us with food and shelter, even when resources are stretched as they are. It is the spirit of a town like Green River that I will remember fondly when I look back on this trip.

-Hubert Lee