We knew today would be a grind so we had a light breakfast and left Kanab at 7:45am. The temperature was in the low 60s so we put on an extra layer and set off. Kanab is at approximately 4,900 feet in elevation and soon we were up at over 9,000 feet in elevation and in the low 50s. Burrrrr!
There were several deer crossing signs but more deer carcasses, unfortunately. We did see a few live deer but ratio of live to dead was 2 to 7.
We did not realize that this was an area of past volcanic activity. Navajo Lake is a result of an eruption and water flowing through underground lava tubes.
We took in the last of Utah’s beautiful landscape of multicolored rocks.
When we got to Cedar City we stopped for a stretch and coffee.
We shed the extra layers and prepared for the heat.
Once we entered Nevada it was desolate and windy. Highway 375 is known as the Extraterrestrial Highway because Area 51 is somewhere in the region. It seemed lonelier than Highway 50!
It’s straight for miles and the scenery doesn’t change except for some open range cattle which was a welcome site.
We stopped in Caliente for lunch and an espresso, the second of the day. We met an 81 year old man riding a KTM Super Duke. He is a former racer and shared some great stories. Turns out, his step-daughter lives in Roseville! Again, small world.
Back on the road, it seemed endless and the wind was beating us up. At times it felt like someone was punching us, especially when a dust devil crossed the road or when a tractor trailer came in the opposite direction.
Fighting fatigue and exhaustion from the battering wind and high heat, we stopped for a break at a roadside restaurant that fully embraced the alien theme.
After a refreshing lemonade, we faced the remaining 100 hot and windy miles.
We saw some wild horses and one hawk. We remarked at the lack of wildlife sightings we’ve had on this trip. August may not lend itself to wildlife sightings in this part of the country. 
Thirty miles from Tonopah, we had to stop again to wake up and brace ourselves for the last leg.
At 4:30 arrived in Tonopah. Tired and hot, we checked into our hotel which seemed to be taken over by a military veteran’s club. We backed our Yamaha in between the Harleys and looked as out of place as two Californians in Kanab. 
Tomorrow we head home. We’ll head through more desert to Mono Lake where we will turn north and take Monitor Pass through Markleeville and then take Highway 50 through Lake Tahoe and then home. It’s been a great trip although there have not been enough barns for Cathy’s preference. 
Monkeybutt Chronicles 