Rocky Mountain Drive


This post was published on Tuesday 23 July 2013.

I find myself in Rawlins, WY, which seems only to sell second-hand cars, car parts, fuel and liquor.  So, I guess I must be sitting in my tent, erected in the back of an old Chevy pickup, chewing on a carburetta and washing it down with a pint of diesel.  The eagle-eyed among you will also spot that I’m not in Ryan Park, Medicine Bow, as my itinerary suggests.

But let’s rewind a little.

This morning I woke up in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.  Compare this morning’s view to this evening’s (!):

RockiesVRawlins
A day of contrasts... The Rockies v. Rawlins

The sky is beautiful tonight, let’s leave it at that!

I woke up and went out to do my laundry and have some breakfast.  So, I had my first ‘proper’ American breakfast of a pancake, sausage, egg and syrup.  The coffee was excellent.. the breakfast was tasty, but I’m not sure I could get used to it!  It was so rich and sweet, I didn’t finish it (surprise, surprise).

Then I set off on Trail Ridge Road, which takes you up nearly 12,000 feet across Rocky Mountain National Park.  The number of cars on the journey are testament to the awesome views..

It took me nearly two hours to do 30 miles because I kept stopping to admire the views!

Once I finished the drive, I found myself at Grand Lake, which has stunning views of the Rockies behind the lake.  Unfortunately the view was quite hazy, so not all my pictures came out but here are some that did:

Then began the interminable Highways, 125 and 230.  And by interminable, I mean boring, with lashings of extra dull, served on a plate of monotonous.  I don’t think I’ve ever driven such long straights before, including 15 miles with barely a turn!  I was most grateful for cruise control..

Eventually (after six hours of driving) I arrived at Ryan Park.  It turns out, it is really designed for RVs.  It was almost entirely rocks and gravel, including the patches for tents.  I took a walk around my campsite, and decided I didn’t want to rip my ground sheet on the rocks.  So I drove to the nearest town (Saratoga).  And then I drove to the next town (!) in search of accommodation.

After an hour more  driving I found myself in Rawlins, WY.  If you are planning a trip to the USA, I don’t recommend a visit!  Everything is boarded up, or as I said at the start, sells cars, parts, fuel or liquor.  At my fifth attempt I found a place to stay with a vacancy.  I even put my tent up in the room to dry (!! - it was quite wet when I packed it away in the Black Canyon).

It was a shame, after such an amazing morning, to have the worst afternoon and evening of the trip so far!  Looking through the pictures from the drive this morning helps :-).  The big advantage is, I am an hour closer to the Grand Tetons, so I should be able to make it there for lunch tomorrow :-).