I didn’t sleep as well last night as I did my first two nights at the hostel. I was a little too warm and, of course, I was achey (and forgot to take some Advil before bed). Still, it wasn’t a bad night compared to my normal and I was up around 6:45 — a full hour later than I’ve been getting up. It was wet and miserable out. I just packed the truck, checked out, and went to McDonald’s for coffee (fantastic!) and to do some online stuff, including firming up my route for today. I decided to head for Rock Springs, Wyoming, as that was roughly the halfway point to Cody. I would do a blip through northwestern Colorado, return briefly to Utah, and then cross into Wyoming.
Over the course of the day, I climbed to over 8,000 ft of altitude. I was not in any way prepared for snow even though I knew it was coming!
I stopped in Rangely, Colorado, after a particularly long climb and descent, to top up the fuel and get coffee. The Kum & Go had the best fuel price I’d seen since Flagstaff ($2.29ish) and they had hazelnut flavoured coffee, which was such a treat! I usually put in hazelnut creamer, but that’s sweet. With the flavour-infused beans, I get the hazelnut taste without the sweetness. This was a very good day for coffee!
Some time later, I paused in Vernal for lunch and to book my hotel in Rock Springs. I decided that since I would have spent 80USD on the last two nights at the hostel, I was going to spend that at the nicest hotel I could get for that price for one night in Rock Springs. I got a deal on a room at the Quality Inn, which is high end by my standards. I get the room, good WiFi, a full breakfast, and a free cocktail! The room also has a lovely armchair and ottoman. I may never get out of this chair again. 🙂
Coming into Rock Springs was scary since there was black ice under slush on the road! I had to slow to a crawl. Moya has really good quality winter tires, but she really doesn’t handle well in slick conditions. I was really glad to arrive. Vernal had felt too early to stop, but by the time I got to Rock Springs, I was past the point where I would have wanted to quit for the day because of the tough driving conditions the last bit.
For some reason, I actually took pictures today!
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- I’m just a couple miles from the previous pictures, but down several thousand feet in altitude!
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- I have no idea why turning onto Brontosaurus amused me so much.
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- Vernal’s famous pink dino
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- Beautiful overlook.
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- Really stunning.
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- And behind me is a huge mining operation.
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- This landscape was absolutely stunning. It looks like I added a black and white filter!
Definitely a four letter word 🙁 Glad you are stopped in luxury and safe and hopefully sound of mind.
I’m exhausted, but good! Don’t plan to head out early tomorrow!
Boy, when you’re ready to go home you really go home! Be safe.
LOL I would have actually much preferred hang out in better weather like I did last year and get home at the end of May. But I’m flying to Europe in June and so trying to do the trip home quickly to save money.
You sure did run into the snow. Glad the road wrote mostly dry. I think you’ll be running into more of the same tomorrow.
Safe travels.
😀
Bit late in my reply, but thank you, and thank you for being the hostess with the mostest! 🙂