Day 20: Alaska to Mexico Marathon Rally Adventure

Day 20: Alaska to Mexico Rally 2023 - A Day of Mesmerizing Landscapes!

Our post-rest day morning in Moab was one of those moments that remind us why we embarked on this incredible marathon rally. As the sun began its ascent over the picturesque surroundings, the day's adventures beckoned, promising a series of challenging regularities, time controls, and even an exhilarating test.

The first stop was the Moab View Passage Control, just 28 kilometers from our hotel. Here, we were greeted with a panoramic view of an otherworldly landscape - a striking vista of mountains, canyons, cliffs, and arches. Russ Smith and Jamie Turner expertly stamped our timecards before we rolled onward to the Geyser Pass Regularity, a journey that led us higher into the mountains via a wide gravel road, accompanied by gnarled oak trees.

While the scenery was awe-inspiring, it wasn't all smooth sailing. The Goodwin's Bentley encountered a puncture, but the experienced crew kept their cool. Graham got to work with his toolkit, and Marina gracefully directed traffic around the work zone. In record time, the Cricklewood cruiser was back on all four wheels, ready to head to Loren Price and Owen Turner's timing point, situated at a breathtaking 3,200 meters.

As we descended from the wooded slopes of the La Sal mountains to the valley floor, we encountered sandy scrub and imposing rock formations. The day's test awaited us at Eight Mile Rock, a sand-strewn section of track with a few thrilling twists and turns.

Just when we thought we had seen the best that Utah had to offer, we were treated to a spectacle beyond our wildest expectations. A breathtaking canyon unfolded before us, punctuated by dramatic pinnacles and stratified shelves, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The Needles Overlook Time Control was our chance to savor the scene, offering a 360-degree view of the finest geological wonders.

We continued our journey, and after 75 kilometers, we reached the Granary Mill Time Control. Here, a sumptuous buffet was laid out in an old granary building, fueling our spirits and engines for the final regularity of the day. This winding route, along a narrow gravel track through Indian Creek, led us upward through towering trees until the last few switchbacks revealed an alpine scene - rolling meadows adorned with tidy pine trees.

Unfortunately, the last Passage Control at Comb Ridge had to be canceled due to an impassable river. Instead, we made a beeline for our night's stay - the teepees of the Bluff Dwellings. According to Catherine Scowcroft, these were "the best accommodations yet." Nestled in a dramatic setting, the hotel featured a backdrop of sheer sandstone cliffs, with birds of prey soaring above in the evening sky.

However, the sweeps had their work cut out for them, performing late-night open-heart surgery on Andrew McAlpine's Range Rover. They discovered some rather misshapen components in the valve train. While the sweep team worked diligently under the stars, the rest of the Rally enjoyed a delightful dinner by the pool, with the stars twinkling above and the Milky Way adorning the night sky.

The rugged terrain of Utah continues to astonish us, and the camaraderie among the participants keeps us pushing forward. We're ready to tackle the next leg of this incredible journey.