Jaci Dawn

We backtracked a little out of Colorado Springs so we could go north through Fairplay to Walden. The plan was to make it to Wyoming and I-80 by dark, find a motel, then follow I-80 back to Reno.

We thought this was the coolest old building. I think it was the library but I forgot to take a photo of the sign out front. There was also a “replica” of a “frontier town” called South Park City just off the highway through Fairplay, but it was closed for the season. And I am not so sure I’d be lured into it, anyway. But that’s just me.

We crossed the Continental Divide for the second time (the first was on Independence Pass out of Aspen) between Fairplay and Breckenridge. State Route 9 goes up-up-up through Alma and down-down-down on the other side. Yes, it snowed as we crossed the Divide, but it wasn’t sticking to anything and it was very light. The country was wild and beautiful.

Breckenridge was the next point on the map: BORING. All new construction, lots of condominums and townhomes, a fancy bypass and nothing with character. Where Aspen retained some character with old homes, tight little shops, narrow streets and a cozy outdoorsy feel, Breckenridge just oozed of new money, fancy malls, and high taxes.

Entering into Silverthorne, we were greeted by a man in a wizard’s costume dancing in the median. I have no idea why he was there, but he was there. Middle Earth all over again.

From Silverthorne north, the country turned brown. The terrain was more familiar high desert country with towering mountains, sagebrush and long empty stretches. We made good time and didn’t stop for any more interesting sights, caught US Route 40 while it was daylight and figured we’d make Rawlins or Rock Springs, Wyoming before it got too late. But darkness fell by the time we reached the junction to Walden. We drove about three miles and decided we really didn’t want to make that stretch when Steamboat Springs was closer. So we turned around and returned to US Route 40 for Steamboat Springs. And crossed the Continental Divide yet again.

We drove back up Rabbit Ears Summit to get this photo. And, yes, it was snowing.

It turned out to be a great decision: we learned there were high winds on I-80 to the north of us, but US Route 40 stays low and we had fair weather. And we got to see more cool little towns. Unfortunately, we didn’t stop to take photos.

But if you ever get out that way: Craig, Colorado is one sweet little town. The city park was a maze of chainsaw sculpture: it appeared that any sick or dying tree became a carving. There were bronze statues around town as well. We looked for but somehow kept missing the Museum of Northwest Colorado. Don’t ask me how we missed it, we just did.

In Maybell, Colorado we had to take a detour due to a fallen tree. Maybell is worth a repeat visit as well.

We stopped in Dinosaur. One: I needed to take a Nature Walk (yes, one of those) and two: it was Dinosaur. Funky little one-horse town at a crossroads whose claim to fame is the Dinosaur National Monument.

They really don’t get many visitors in Dinosaur.

You could get lost in those canyons. I could get lost looking at those canyons. What incredible country!

Wind-swept, lonely, and beautiful. I love the desert. I love desert colors.

We stayed on US Route 40, stopping in Vernal for gas and in Ft. Duchesne for a lunch of cold pizza.Which brings me to the last stupid sign of the trip:

Maybe it was all the travel, but Terry and I thought this was a very funny sign.