Total Colorado-Maine Round Trip Mileage

Although we didn’t actually make it all the way to Maine (that’s another story), our total trip mileage was 6,561 miles. I have to go back to previous posts, but I’m sure this is way more than we had planned.

Odometer reading right when we departed.

Odometer reading right when we arrived back in Salida.

We’re considering a “stats” page for other details like this, things like “total fuel consumed,” “average miles per gallon,” “total money spent on gas,” “longest/shortest day in the saddle,” “most consecutive days riding,” . . . . We had lots of questions and uncertainties when we started. Perhaps knowing these sort of overall details may help in planning of future rides.

Day 30 Mileage Report

Yesterday was day 30. Total miles was 261.3. We left Laramie, WY about 10:30 and arrived in Salida, CO about 4:30. Not counting the stops for gas and our lunch break in Dillon, CO we were on GeeGee for about 4.5 hours. We pretty much followed the route Susan described in her previous post with a Google Map.

The Pack Is Back

Sky is glad we are home.

Third Rock

We”re back in Salida. Feels soooooo good Walk down to the river. There’s the third rock on the north side of the west playhole. So great to be back.

The Way Home

Here’s how were are going today. Interesting that we are crossing paths with the route we took last summer to Oregon. Guess that means we have done a big loop across this country!

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The Loneliest Road

Having traveled across Highway 50 in Nevada, which is reputed to be the Loneliest Highway, we now have reason to question that claim. Highway 85 south from Newcastle to Lusk beats it we think. 81 miles of nothing. Well, there were ranches and fields of grasses and abandoned buildings that were reminders of another era. But it’s very dry so the fields are not lush and the creek beds are dry. The temperature was almost 100 degrees on GeeGee’s thermometer so all we wanted to do was keep moving. We arrived in Laramie around 4 pm and checked into the Gas Lite Inn which we probably wouldn’t have if we hadn’t read the good reviews on Trip Advisor. We had a great night’s sleep in a clean, comfortable room complete with a modest continental breakfast this morning. We are conflicted with our feelings about “going home” today but realize that we can’t keep living in motels and eating three meals a day in restaurants. So, here we come, Salida!

Day 29 Mileage Report

319 miles today from Spearfish, SD to Laramie, WY. Nice roads, but very hot. Some wind, but that doesn’t bother us much anymore. We were on the road for about 6 and a half hours including stops.

I always take a picture of the gas pump for amount and cost. This time I caught myself.

Interesting sign that talks about how Indians caught buffalo before they had horses.

The admittance house to see the buffalo jump.

This is a drive-in like a Sonic, but before it went corporate.

Another shot of the drive-in. Had to order here cuz the speakers didn’t work.

Stop out in the middle of nowhere Wyoming.

Lots of nothing on today’s drive. GeeGee wants to get going.

Susan wants to know if we’re ready to go yet.

Heading In The Direction Of Colorado

After looking at different ways to get home, we chose this one. It will allow us to avoid the Denver traffic and we can come home through Walden, Silverthorne and Leadville. Besides, neither one of us has been to Laramie.

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Shel Our Friend in Spearfish

Shel is our new friend at the Shoot the Buck restaurant. The food and service here has been the best of our whole trip. We came back for a second night and it was as great as the first time. Shel was our waitress both times and we say she’s awesome.

Devils Tower

This was a must see stop on this trip. We headed west into Wyoming to Devil’s Tower, the first national monument dedicated by Teddy Roosevelt in 1906. We chose Route 14A which runs parallel to I-90 – just the speed is slower and we went through towns like Beulah (pop. 33) and Sundance (where “The Kid” got his name – they say). The tower can be seen for miles before you get there and you feel drawn to its magical-ness. Not sure why. Anyway, we chose the loop trail around the base of the tower and were pleased to see that they allow bouldering and climbing on the tower. Just have to let them know. There were several parties of climbers at the base area – some had already gone to the top, others were just starting. We got off the trail and did some of our own bouldering. Rick was inspired to come back and climb it someday – just needs a partner and it probably won’t be me! We stayed a couple of hours enjoying the scenery and spirituality of the tower. Birds were soaring the steep cliffs and it seemed like most people were very quiet as they hiked the same path as us. The place does that to you.