Sept. 28 – A New Chapter!

I had unpacked everything last night and had it strewn all over the hotel room – so getting my act together took awhile and I didn’t get on the road till about 10. There was a little coffee shop next door to the hotel, so I grabbed coffee and a bagel sandwich in the midst of packing. Today I said farewell to Utah and crossed the border into Colorado – my fourth state! And one I have cycled in a lot, although it has been awhile.

Almost the whole day I was on Hwy 491, which was mostly rolling hills passing through small towns. Lots of traffic though, and lots of 18 wheelers. The shoulder was wide, so I didn’t feel unsafe – but it is annoying to have those big trucks whizzing by all day. And it has to suck living in those small towns where the homes and businesses are right on the road. I just cranked up an excellent playlist (alternative hits from 1983, highly recommended) and pondered deep existential questions like this:

I know – hard to wrap your head around it! I stopped at a diner in Dove Creek for a lunch burrito and then put my head down all the way to the turn off to Dolores. I stopped at a private campground about 6 miles out of town and shelled out the cash for a tent spot and a shower. Not as cool as camping out in the desert….but I smell a lot better! Tomorrow I head up into the Rockies!