Highway 89 is the “back road” up through Utah. The south end is anchored by Kanab, home of dozens of Hollywood western films in the 50’s and 60’s. The north end is buried under I-70 south of Richfield. Going north from Kanab, you climb through cedar and sage to Mount Carmel Junction where you can choose to take the most scenic highway in the West: the east entrance to Zion Park. If you stick with 89, you follow a beautiful mountain stream to a high ridge just south of Long Valley Junction. You can turn west and keep climbing across the mountain to Cedar City or Cedar Breaks if you like. Highway 89 winds down through high sagebrush valleys along the Sevier River – Utah’s river – through one little town after another. Just south of Panguitch, you can turn off 89 and drive through Red Canyon up to Bryce – a close second for the most scenic road in the West. The grave of John D. Lee, pioneer leader and the scapegoat selected for execution after the Mountain Meadow Massacre, is in the Panguitch cemetary. I recommend the “Nut Burger” at Big Rock Candy Mountain, not far from the north end of 89.

The hot, dry, boring I-15 route on the west side of the mountains is to be used only if you have no other choice.

I’m publishing the July calendar a little early because the Fourth of July is right around the corner and I thought this one was great to get us in the spirit. I’ve got a second one (also on Highway 89) that I plan to post after July 4.