After a wonderful weekend in Capitol Reef with my girlfriend hiking, relaxing, and exploring the park, I was excited to get back on the bike and start putting some miles under the tires again. Today’s ride was a short stretch of Highway 24 through Capitol Reef and into Hanksville. Mostly downhill, the miles came easy, almost as if the road was welcoming me back. The scenery along this route is something else. It’s one of those places that makes you feel small in the best possible way. The exposed rock layers, canyon walls, and ancient formations are a reminder of just how brief our time here really is. Riding through it all was humbling and beautiful. I rolled into Hanksville in the late afternoon and grabbed a tent site at Duke’s RV and Tent Resort. I stuffed my face with a massive burrito from The Roost, then wandered over to Stan’s Burger Shack for a milkshake. After dinner, I hung out at the campground where I met a friendly group of folks who were out on multi-day Jeep adventures exploring the surrounding canyonlands. We talked for a while and they insisted on sharing their morning coffee and breakfast with me, which I was seriously grateful for. First day back on the bike and I’m already meeting amazing people again. Feels good to be rolling.