I visited two of them, Canyonlands and Arches. In these parks unique-shaped rocks can be seen here and there. Nature is indeed a great sculptor. In comparison with the originality and grandeur of its artifacts, human constructions are nothing, particularly in Arches National Park, where I saw a lot of coves and rock arches. The rock arches are residue of huge rocks which, due to erosion, have lost their center part. This kind of scenery is very popular along the sea coasts in Japan, however, the coast of that kind is elevated up to the highland of 2000 m. Fortunately, everything in the deep waters can be seen clearly, because of nonexistence of sea water that blurs the vision. I see the slit of the rock, where lobsters often hide themselves. I feel like walking in the sea. The town of Vernal is located 150 km (ap.100 miles) east of Salt Lake City. Contrary to the south green trees can be found here in the northern end of Utah. I guess I have already ridden through the desert area. There is a dam called Steinaker 13 km north of this town. This place is a State Park of Utah and there is a beach along the lake shore. There are tables under the shade of the trees and the coolness over here is beyond imagination after the tremendous heat felt riding on a motorcycle. In the coolness like this I neither need beer nor feel like swimming in the lake. I would rather read a book. I will shampoo in the evening. If I also shave, will Americans frown at me?

I hear the sound of fireworks from the direction of Vernal that I have ridden through. I thought it was thundering at first. Oh, today is Independence Day. Exactly one month has passed since I left Japan. The Stars and Stripes were fluttering over every house in the small, sleeping villages in the Rocky Mountains where I passed today. By the way, fireworks are banned at the campgrounds. TV reported they cause forest fires. From the table where I am sitting in the campground, I cannot see the fireworks because of the hill blocking my sight. However the moon is full tonight. It shines on the dark trees in the mountains. My BMW is also shining in the moonlight. The fireworks in this country did not last long and ended in about 20 minutes. But, against my guess, it started sporadically again after around 30 minutes. I am afraid Americans have a longer break. Meanwhile, the quietness covers the campground. The sounds I hear now are the children's subtle voices from the campsite below, and the soughing of the leaves by the wind. In the brightness and quietness like this, I am afraid I can't piss behind the trees.Late dusk is visiting today, too. A dark cloud covers the eastern sky. In places it falls toward the earth like a straw curtain. It must bring a heavy shower. I was at ease about it because the weather comes from the west, but it has rushed to arch overhead. Fortunately it didn't bring a rain here, but the sky in the north is ominous. Every few seconds lighting tears the dark cloud and dyes it reddish orange. I think I would be scared if it happened over my head, but it is far away and I feel like I am watching fireworks. I was not able to enjoy the fireworks last night, however, I doubt if they shot as many as the ones I see now. In the mean time, the eastern sky begins to burn in orange over the horizon. I imagine it is a forest fire started by lighting. I walk up to a higher place and discover it is the moon! Surprisingly, it is a moon as red and huge as the setting sun. It is slowly ascending up to the sky. The red dyed by lighting contests with the red of the moon. Strangely enough, the lighting of this evening does not make any sound, being different from the fireworks of last night. Even if without stars, the sky entertains a lonely rider.

The road in the north of Steinaker Dam is ascending and it gradually raises its elevation. The air is getting cooler. I see the peaks with snow in the distance. The peaks must be a roof of the Rocky Mountains. The mountains are covered in all green. The trees are tall and from place to place white birches are seen. I feel a little like I'm riding in the high mountains in Shinshu, Japan, although the scenery here is much grander. I ride slowly, breathing full of air with the flavor of trees. I feel both my lungs polluted by nicotine and my mind intoxicated by urbanity are being purified. Enjoying the ride in the highlands, I soon run across Flaming Gorge Dam, which extends into Wyoming.

The campground of this dam lake is located on the rim of a cliff above a deep valley. However it is a large campground and the table of my campsite is solely laid in the big woods. I can't see a neighboring camper from my site. Only my campsite could cover one whole campground in Japan. The fee of $13 is never high, because I can occupy a space as large as this. But, if a bear should come by, what shall I do? I feel uneasy.I feel peace in my mind to put myself in the cool air of the plateau and to see the towering trees on the green earth, for I have traveled in the burning land with only red soil and bush. The river down below flows through the deep bottom of the valley. Over the mountain far away of the vanishing point of this river, black smoke is rising. That's a forest fire! I am told it started burning several hours ago. It is a real fire, although the forest fire of last night was an illusion. Is that fire over there now burning another campground like this one? A young couple is having a wedding ceremony at the overlook on the rim. Without her white dress and his black suit, and a parked huge limousine, it is so simple that no one can notice they are a bridal couple. If only a Japanese wedding could be as simple as this.