Saturday 22 June 2013

Denver to Bonneville Salt flats with Dinosaurs and a pull by the cops!

We left Peter & Mickey after a few days of outstanding hospitality and headed towards Dinosaur, Dinosaur turned out to be a one horse town (or even a one Dinosaur town) so we headed to Vernal to find a Hotel. En route we had just crossed the State line into Utah when I spotted a Police car, looked at the speedo, oh no too late, the guy spun round, lights on and came after us. After a pleasant greeting I handed over my papers and licence whilst he went back to the car to check up I wasn't on their list of bad guys. He came back with the paperwork and opened with "How lucky do you feel today sir!" I reckon he's a Clint Eastwood fan, I replied, "you tell me", luckily no 44 Magnum came into play and he issued me instead with an official warning, a nice bit of paperwork to frame when I get home, 74 in a 65 Zone, bad boy Rondelli!!!
This morning relieved I had escaped 15 years hard Labour (or Labor as you guys call it) in a Chain gang we visited the Dinosaur Valley, impressive stuff, it appears around 150 Million years ago here there was a drought, probably caused by a blockage in the watercourse, the Dino's all died and rotted away then the water freed itself and washed thousands of dead Dino's down the canyon to a point where they all blocked up again and are here for all to see. The official guy explained the place was found and excavated thanks to a guy called Andrew Carnegie, I explained he was in fact a Dunfermline laddie who done well but I don't think the guy was convinced such a great guy could be a Scot, I hope he checks up on Google, and by the way the only reason you have tarmac roads, Telephones and TV's is down to us Scots as well, not to mention anti biotics, not bad for a nation of semi Alchoholics!
Proof of a Scots influence was also evident in the comically named Abydosaurus Mcintoshi Dinosaur found here which looks like Nessie's cousin!
Then a trip through Utah past Salt Lake City to the Bonneville Salt flats, great to see the place at last where all these guys set speed records, Hmmm I wonder how fast I could get the Norton to go??
Peter's Humming bird (and Bear) feeder being used by the intended recipient

2 microseconds to touchdown

I 70 Westbound, stunning scenery

I wasn't on the bike at this point but wished I was!

A sign pointing to my Brothers house, Craig, you weren't in!!

A town called Dinosaur!

Welcome to Utah, State of the Clint Eastwood cliches!

Dino bones even older than me!

Fi now deciding to be a Palentoligist

Mind you I'm kind of glad they aren't around any more, Imagine this thing running out in front of your bike?

Dino Heid....Deid!

Now there is a Posh reason for this Comedy (to us Scots ) name but I think my interpretation is better

Now can you see the likeness to our own Nessie? So Nessie says " I Bide (Stay) in Loch Ness, its forebearers obviously wandered over tae America and told its new pals "I used tae Bide in Scotland but noo ah bide in Utah and ma faither wis a McIntosh", hence he got called called Abydosaurus McIntoshi

Dino Valley

Especially for my Great Neice Lucy, a Pink Dino 

Who is that person with the pink Norton T Shirt taking a picture of Salt Lake

Fi Holding up the Hire Car

Fi holding up her minature Parents!

15 comments:

  1. what a great post! thanks for making me laugh, good to see that little people can bear normal sized children as well!

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  2. As the wall of water approached, Vernal, the pink dinosaur, fired up her Apple Macintosh, and with a quick Google search found just the words she was looking for. "Gather round my friends", she said, "and join me in a chorus of 'Abyd with me', for today is your lucky day!" And thus her name was forever set in stone.

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    1. Now Jakey boy, thats no a bad alternative explanation....Did you get the Harley pics??

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  3. Lucy loves the pink Dino. Not a lot happening here, schools come off next week so the supermarkets better get stocked up on vodka for mum! Gonna be so different this summer but we will be fine am sure! Off to watch BM in his tiddlywinks final tomorrow!! Take care and have fun...lots of love, The Martins. xx

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    1. Hola Nicola, Glad Lucy liked it, Fi said she would. Good luck to Brian xx

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  4. Hey Gino, I just love it when you talk in that Scottish lingo.

    Eric

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    1. Weel ye ken yersel Eric, mony a guid tale telt in auld Scots brouge

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  5. Hi Gino, met your brother in the Badgers tonight who told me about your blog. Enjoyed reading it immensely. Sounds great fun.
    Scott Barlass.

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    1. Hi Scott, Glad you enjoyed it, still a while to go yet!
      Its brilliant fun
      Regards
      Gino

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  6. Hey there youse ah Wisnae in cos well what can I say 10 years ago it would've been I was in the pub but noo cos I was working ha ha enjoyed the video move over David Attenborough what with all the cuts at the BBC I bet they would go for a couple of intrepid reporters that all they needed was a crate of beer some petrol and spares to keep them goin we are away on holiday tomorrow Turkey for a fortnight imagine a holiday that you don't need to drive to take care Craig dawn Sean

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    1. Thanks Bro, maybe a new career ha ha. Enjoy the holidays
      Gino & Fiona

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  7. A huge happy birthday mr Rondelli loved this post and photos ,I fear brother John will be feeling a tad left out ,you're next mission is to find something with his name on it ,enjoy your birthday and we will party in November safe travels and take care Laura and co xxxxxxxxxxx

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    1. Thanks Sis, looking forward to the party !! Aye I will try to find somewhere with his name
      xxxx

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  8. Good to see your 'cheap' SUV was worth it :-)
    Keep on enjoying your adventure y'all

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    1. Ended up being a bit dearer after the usual "upgrade"! But worth it, cheers Pete

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