1) We were just on our way back from camping/canyoneering in the San Rafael Swell. It is gorgeous, and has a lot of very interesting spots. The terrain I'm describing here, however, is not any sane person's idea of a nice camping spot. Drive the road yourself, and tell me if you think differently. I don't think you're familiar with this road, as another CBer above whose family runs cattle out there agreed it's pretty desolate. Interestingly enough, he didn't take offense.
2) I was mostly having fun with my description of the whole trip. For example, I didn't REALLY think we were on the moon, or in a black and white movie.
3) #2 also applies to the two people we saw in the parked cars. The following items are true, however: a) they did shut their doors pretty quickly as we came by, and it was just kind of odd b) we hadn't seen a soul for miles until we got to them, nor did we see anybody else after them until we got to the quarry road c) the guy with the pipe really did smile as he waved with his pipe, and that smile really was missing a number of teeth. He was also the driver of the red Pontiac Grand Prix, which isn't exactly known as a ranch vehicle.
Now, I'm sorry if you felt I insulted your Uncle Bob and his cousin LeRoy. I'm sure they really haven't done any drug deals or buried bodies out in the desert for months.