2014--Day 8

Another travel day, as we make our way back toward Colorado.  The morning started somewhat early (4:40 am for me) when booming thunder woke me out of a dead sleep.  It had been going on for some time, as my roommate woke around 4 and looked outside at the lightning.  He brought up the radar and saw a severe thunderstorm warning for the cells moving over us.  It must have been nearly over for us by the time it woke me up, as I was out again shortly afterward.

Finally stirred around 10ish, and were on the road out of Huron before noon.  We took the scenic route toward I90, going through Wessington Springs, SD.  Some trees down and some debarked (scary), and other evidence of damage.

Strewn debris

More debris

A former car dealership

Ditto

Once we hit I90, we stopped in Oacomo (which has the distinction of having the highest elevation on this highway), we wet our whistle at Al's Oasis, a Wall Drug wannabe (but neverwillbe).  The food was good, though.  You can never go wrong by taking cheese and deep frying it-just ask my cardiologist.

The amazing thing about this part of America is the view.  As we're driving west on I90, we've been watching a cluster of storms about 50 miles north of the highway, some of which are severe and potentially tornadic.

Rapid City, SD radar, 3:50 pm CDT 19 June 2014

3:14 pm CDT 19 July 2014

3:42 pm CDT 19 July 2014

3:49 pm CDT 19 July 2014

These storms are about 50 miles north of I90.  Simply amazing.

We drove through Rapid City (again) and down through Hot Springs to the south and west into eastern Wyoming.  The terrain (or lack thereof) is astounding.  The vistas are beyond belief.  Hundreds of miles in any direction.  If you've never had the opportunity to see for yourself, you need to. 

Somewhere near Custer State Park, South Dakota

While you're here (and if you're driving west on US18/20 in east-central Wyoming, and let's be honest: why wouldn't you be?), be sure to stop by the bustling metropolis of Lost Springs and say hi to the residents--all four of them.

Cool clouds near Wheatland, WY

Chugwater, WY

We're nearing the end of the driving for the day (thank goodness), and we're commenting on how many counts of insecticide we're guilty of via our windscreen.  Interesting observation: it would appear that most bug guts are clear or white, with occasional instances of red or yellow.

After dinner in Cheyenne, I took over the driving so my partner could find a place to stay for the evening.  Our intent was to stay in Fort Collins, but there were no viable rooms.  Same with Loveland, so we went to Westminster, outside of Denver.  After arriving at the hotel, it turned out that we were double-booked.  The very nice hotelier called another nearby facility and got us a room for the same rate.  As it turned out, a VERY nice room with a jacuzzi tub...and one big bed.  Now I am good friends with the good doctor, and we have spend numerous days and nights together, but neither one of us were particularly jazzed about spending the night together.  A quick call to the front desk cleared up the problem.

Sunset over Cheyenne

A beautiful end...

...to a long day

Turned out to be a very long day...with about seven hours of not getting out of the car.  Total for the day: 713 miles, a new record.  Next stop: Denver International Airport.