2014--Day 1

After a well-needed rest, we examined the data and determined that nothing was happening today, so we would travel north from Denver up I25 through Wyoming and cut over to western South Dakota in anticipation of potential storms on Friday.

We checked out of the hotel and went back to the airport to pick up our car, a red Nissan Altima parked in space (check this out) F5.  A sign of things to come?  We can only hope!  After a bite to eat we headed north to Fort Collins, where we met up with an old colleague and had a beer (thanks Dave!) in Old Town.

A flower grows in Old Town

Youngsters!

Reunited and it feels so good...

The good Dr. Lerach will likely join the chase on Saturday, when things look decent in Nebraska and the environs.  After a very pleasant couple of hours catching up, Gustavo and I headed north to Rapid City via eastern Wyoming.  The area has a very stark beauty, which is only hinted at in the photos.

Not too far from the 2012 tornado sightings...

An early Wyoming evening

Bare trees

Moon over Wyoming

Arrived in Rapid City around 10:45 local time, where the temperature was about 57.  On my way into the hotel I saw a young couple through the window sitting in the lobby having a tender moment.  My initial thought (after awww) was 'Get a room,' but then I remembered that they might already have one.  Upon entering the lobby I saw the couple from another angle.  They had a book resting on their collective lap, while his hand was not exactly resting on her behind.  After they got up to return to their respective (and apparently separate) rooms, I saw the title of the book: Holy Bible.  Thou shalt cradle thy beloved's ass must be one of those lost commandments.

Final tally for the day: 429 miles, but it looks like we're potentially where we need to be for day 2.  Good night, and good luck.