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And I Would Walk 500 Miles

Sunday, September 30th, 2007


Wyoming View

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

September 29th – Saturday

It was a bit of a pull leaving the cabin and all the dogs but it was time to move. We did really well and made it as far as Denver. The kids were very good and rather than travel again tomorrow we will stay in this area for a few days. The sight of a theme park by the kids might have helped this decision!

Unfortunately it was more open spaces/plains en route – it felt like we went round the bottom of the mountains. I don’t know how to explain these massive expanses, they are the colour of a Labrador – maybe a bit more mustard in colour. The texture is like that of short dog hair and when the wind blows the whole plain moves like a living thing. Every now and then there are mini flat topped mountains. They tell the geological history of the earth in the different coloured layers that make them up. Some have a few rocks, others have a few pines but generally there is just the Labrador fur as far as the eye can see. The road goes gently up and down – on the ups (as you can’t see the horizon) you pray that the view will change to something more exciting but no, as you ride the concrete wave it is just more of the same. The anticipation of crossing the mountains is getting far too much.

The wind is something else – I usually do about 100 miles on a quarter of a tank of petrol. Today I did only 50. Yes I did start to panic that we would not make the next petrol station as the fuel gauge needle was dropping like a stone. The lady at the gas station laughed as she recognised the relief on my face. Apparently there are many of us that come in with the same look.

As a treat for enduring the long journey we went to a diner for dinner. It had pink sparkly benches in the booths and the burger (my first one here) was mouth meltingly delicious. Also had a Reese’s peanut butter shake and the meal completely beat all of us – even Josh could not finish his fries.

Weird Sites – This is a retrospective one that I remembered in the car. In Chicago at the Super 8 there is a shuttle bus driver. He is about 6 foot 5 and dresses just like a 70’s pimp. He wears the same colour from head to toe – suit and hat complete with feather. I can’t remember his name but he made us laugh with his easy manner and jokes.

Biggest RV – an actual trailer and truck made into a portable home. The wife was sitting in the passenger seat doing her knitting. Only in America.

Is It Friday ???

Sunday, September 30th, 2007


Log Cabin

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

September 28th

Travelling today so lots of grassland again but we took the interstate this time so more company on the road!

We are staying in Buffalo – Wyoming. The motel The Blue Gables (www.bluegables.com) has log cabins with a little tin pot fire that has a pipe to the roof and old fashioned quilts. The heating is on so we also have on the air-conditioning as it is boiling! Kids think it is very cool though. Am very tired today so did not push it too much. It might be the altitude – we are at over 4000 ft. I can also see the outline of the mountains on the horizon so am looking forward to driving through them.

Went through Sundance – where the kid got his name but no bumping into Robert Redford or mention of the film festival. I even put on mascara….

Saw about 30 horses being rounded up by cowboys on those 4 x 4 bikes. The horses looked beautiful and Ophelie strained her neck to look for as long as she could. Apart from that pretty uneventful. Have noticed that the earth is red here and that with the huge empty grasslands and mountains in the distance made me wonder if it was like Africa? Was the earth red from all the blood that has been spilt here over time too?

Mount Rushmore

Friday, September 28th, 2007
Mount Rushmore 2 Originally uploaded by roupiesontour
September 27th It was actually cold this morning so we all put nice warm layers ... [Continue reading this entry]

There’s Gold In Them There Hills

Friday, September 28th, 2007
  DeadwoodOriginally uploaded by roupiesontour
September 26th Up early and on the road to hit Deadwood in the ... [Continue reading this entry]

The Long And (Un)Winding Road

Friday, September 28th, 2007
Badlands Forever Originally uploaded by roupiesontour
It’s official – today we hit the middle of nowhere. I decided to take the ... [Continue reading this entry]

Rainy Days And Mondays………..

Monday, September 24th, 2007
Monday September 24th   Rain at last! I guess it would happen as I cleaned the car this morning. Got talking to a couple of Texans who were taking the mickey out of our Georgia car plates. They soon ... [Continue reading this entry]

Sioux Falls

Monday, September 24th, 2007
Sunday September 23rd    The weather is too much – it is so hot and with the winds it is like ... [Continue reading this entry]

Iowa

Monday, September 24th, 2007
Saturday 22nd September   A full day of driving – right across Iowa ahead. Beautiful weather again today, I wonder how long it will last? The scenery around Savanna is stunning. We started off and immediately ... [Continue reading this entry]

Raven’s Grin

Monday, September 24th, 2007
Up early and on the road. After a bit of research we found a couple of things that seemed like they were worth a look. Ahlbinger Acres in Paladine – just outside of ... [Continue reading this entry]

Chicago – The Windy City

Thursday, September 20th, 2007
September 20th The weather is still so hot - did not even bother taking jumper into town - loving it! We made use of the motel free shuttle to the airport and caught the "subway" in. It's v weird as the ... [Continue reading this entry]