Day 56 - Vernal, UT to Duchesne, UT

It's decided: today's ride was the worst of the entire trip. And I'm not just saying that. I think the majority of the group agrees with me... We all thought that the ride would be easy since the mileage was short but we hit a headwind that was reminiscent of Texas and New Mexico, except that it was worse. Someone told me that at one point the winds were at 22 miles per hour with gusts up to 30. We were on US 40 for basically the entire ride; US 40 is a busy, noisy road with a horrible shoulder which meant that we had to ride single file and couldn't really socialize at all. Also, I'm pretty sure we could have invented a new game involving dodging roadkill...  

There was a construction zone leaving Vernal so we were escorted for a couple of miles. It's always fun to be escorted because we get to ride as a huge group instead of groups of 3-6. I only wish the escort had started a couple of miles sooner because we went down the scariest descent of my life right before it. I hope the road is fixed for next year's group!   

The up side of today was arriving at the host site which happened to be a campground at Starvation State Park, just outside of Duchesne. The views were amazing! Still, the wind was persistent so most of the evening I was facing away from the beach so that I wouldn't get sand in my eyes. YAY for pictures!

Seriously though... What a beautiful sunset! 

Duchesne was the other town I researched. Enjoy some history and fun facts:

Background Information/Demographics

Officially founded in 1915 when the city broke from Wasatch County

Named after Duchesne River that runs through town (River was named by French beaver fur trappers in 1820s in honor of Mother Rose Philippine Duchesne who founded School of the Sacred Heart near St. Louis, Missouri)

2.3 square miles

Population of 1,733 in 2012

23.1% increase in population since 2000

0% urban, 100% rural

Sex: 54.0% male, 46.0% female

Median resident age: 30.4 years (Utah: 32.6 years)

Race: White 92.7%, Hispanic 4.4%, American Indian 1.0%, Black 0.2%, Asian 0.1%

Religion: 95.0% Mormon, 2.3% Southern Baptist, 1.4% Catholic, 1.4% other

Age (2000): <18, 37.1%; 18-24, 8.6%; 25-44, 25.5%; 45-64, 19.4%; >65, 9.4%

Income Statistics (2011)

Per Capita Income: $19,659

Median Household Income: $51,925 (Utah: $55,869)

Median House Value: $140,177 (Utah: $207,500)

Median Gross Rent: $699

Unemployment (2013): 3.5% (Utah: 4.6%)

Fair Housing Wage (calculated from Median Gross Rent): $14.37/hour; $2,300/month; $27,960/year

Minimum Wage: $7.25/hour

Economy

Crude Oil and Natural Gas – jobs rise and fall according to demand for oil and natural gas (boom or bust!)

Water Treatment – expanding to supply culinary water to Roosevelt, UT

Machine/Steel Manufacturing – underground cranes, shield haulers, rifle barrels, steam locomotive parts, drill collars, turbine parts, gears sprockets and splines for the oil fields, steel mills, coal mines, trona mines, power plants, etc.

Agriculture – cattle/sheep ranching has recently declined due to over grazing over the past 100 years

Small family farms (alfalfa is the main cultivated crop)

Parks and Recreation – 

            Starvation State Park & Reservoir – 3,500 acres of year-round fishing and boating

            Duchesne River

            Strawberry River & Boardwalk

Big Sandwash Reservoir – rainbow trout fishing

Nine-Mile Canyon – outdoor “museum” with Indian art and remnants of dwellings

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Ashley National Forest – the High Uintas Wilderness contains Kings Peak (Utah’s highest peak at 13,528 feet)

Fun Facts/Things to See and Do!

Wildlife – Mule deer, pronghorn antelope, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, black bear, mountain lion

Amenities – library, swimming pool, bowling alley, state park, 2 community parks, boardwalk, seasonal ice skating pond, fair grounds with rodeo arena

Grave of William Long (aka “The Sundance Kid”) – research underway over dispute as to whether he died in Bolivia in 1908 or in Duchesne in 1936 (Duchesne City cemetery)

Pope Museum – Home of pioneers Fred and Marie Pope (370 West 100 North)

Theodore Cemetery – 41 early settlers buried here, the first being John Jacobs (6806 River Rd)

Father Escalante Monument – Dominguez-Escalante Expedition first chronicled exploration of this area in 1776 (North of Highway 40 on east entrance of town)

Early Duchesne Settlement Monument – (130 West Main Street)

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne Monument – (near entrance of Pope Museum)

Main Street – Cowan’s Café, Wells Club (local eateries)

Home of the Duchesne High School Eagles – all students are able to graduate with an associate’s degree


The Catty Corner: "Is there food here?" -Jennifer Lawrence on the red carpet