Rained in at Walmart in the Rockies but safe in Little America

Day 7

245.6 miles traveled; 1,688.8 total trip miles…938 MILES TO GO!!!

We left Laramie, hoping the rain was finished for the day, and continued on. The closer we got to the mountains, the more excited we got. 

We kept looking for the “Continental Divide” so we could stop and take pictures of us there, but surprisingly there were no scenic spots for us to stop. There wasn’t even a warning, just signs saying “Continental Divide 7000 ft” at a few points. 

We did come across the exit for Rock Point (guess how it got it’s name) and I was able to pull over so we could take some pictures. Both of us were in awe at how beautiful all of the formations were. I loved all of the little (although I’m sure they weren’t little when you got up close) crevices or what looked like little holes or caves in the sides. Rob wanted to explore a bit, but we needed to do some more driving. 

   
    
    
    
   
As we were driving we could see the black clouds of the newest/baddest storm system coming in. We saw lighting streak the sky a couple of times, we knew it was going to be a doozy. 

  
We made it to Rocks Springs and into the Walmart before the storm actually hit. Sitting in the little vestibule area, watching the wind and rain whip around…we could barely see 5 feet outside the door. The power actually flickered a couple of times. We waiting out the worst of it there and then decided to head to the nearest truck stop for the night. Actually drove through a little of the flooding while trying to get out of the Walmart parking lot and back onto the road, but we’re on high ground now, so no worries there. 

Originally stopped at a little truck stop called “Cruel Jacks”, but after sitting for a bit and watching the clouds clear up and the sky turn beautiful again, we decided to move on. Plus, we both just got a bad feeling from the place and agreed it was NOT a place we wanted to stay the night. 

Which brings us to “Little America”. This place is a tourist trap for sure, but it’s nice and it has a much safer and cleaner area for us to stay tonight. 

   
 Driving through all of this beauty has really made us think. When someone brings up the Rocky Mountains, the image that immediately comes to mind is a beautiful mountain range with white cap tops, dark emerald green pines and other trees along the sides with green valleys and forests all around. One doesn’t think of some of the most beautiful rock formations that you would expect to see in the Grand Canyon, not in Wyoming. Just the immense size and how much history is imbedded inside of them has made us awestruck in wonder. We even felt like little kids when we actually drove THROUGH a mountain. It was so cool. But seriously, witnessing the artistry of the clouds as they drape over the mountain range as they slowly pass through, or a rainbow shining bright against a deep ocean blue sky after a severe thunderstorm, or just sitting in the evening and watching the light slowly fade in the sky and the colors change…you can’t help but be mesmerized by how great God. How much of an artist He is, how delicate His touch truly is. Cameras, brushes, pastels, pencils can all try to capture the beauty and wonder He creates…but in truth…nothing will compare to the awe and wonder I know we have seen so far on this journey. I know we are both anxious to see what else He has in store for us. 

Just some food for thought. We love and miss you all. From our hearts to yours…

It’s raining prairie dogs…

Day 6…

66.3 miles, 1,443 total traveled miles. 

Didn’t get very far today because of the weather. It started raining as we were on the road, and driving the roads here is very different from Michigan. The roads are much smoother and therefore slicker in the rain. As we were getting higher and into more of the rocky terrain, with the curves, I didn’t feel comfortable driving in the rain, so we decided to pull over to let it all pass. 
We got our first preview of the mountains though…they are so beautiful!! We can’t wait to get closer to them. Saw a sign that said our elevation was “8643 feet”!!! We can feel it in our ears and I can definitely feel it when breathing. 

But our biggest thrill today was seeing prairie dogs outside of the zoo!! Couldn’t believe how cute they were!! Rob says they’re the “gerbils of the prairie”. LOL. They move so fast and it’s so funny to watch them move around and then stop and stand up. I thought they’d be bigger, but they remind me of a cross between a chipmunk and a squirrel, only without a tail. 

  
It’s still raining. The Weather Channel App predicts rain until tomorrow morning, so I guess, this is where we stay for the night. The sky is so beautiful with the beginnings of the mountains in the distance. I wish I could do it justice with art. 

  
We miss you all so much. From our heart to yours….

So long Arbor Day State…I sure loved your trees…the ones in Omaha and at the end of the state. Hello, land of the Rockies!!!

Day 5

319.7 miles driven, 1,376.6 total trip miles (over half way there!!)

  

Well, today started much like yesterday. Hot with a touch of blistering heat and a mixture of bright sun. We were still in Nebraska…what do you have against trees and shade??? Saw lots of “steaks in training” (cows) and “popcorn in training” (more corn). 

Stopped for a bit at the Buffalo Bill Fort Cody. It’s mainly a tourist trap, but it was pretty interesting. Plus it was nice to get out of the van and do something besides wonder Walmart. Rob was excited because he saw me in an angry, “don’t mess with my cubs” state. LOL. It was too hot for me to pose with the bear statue, but I did get a pic of it. 

   

    
    
    
 Finally made it to Cheyenne, WY. So beautiful. But HOT!!! The “Welcoming Center” was cool. Rob found an interpretive nature trail that went up a pine bluff. So he got to do some exploring while I cooled down inside and read about some attractions. The trail took him to the archeological dig that U of W is doing. It was closed but he was able to peek through the windows. 

Then to my newest favorite truck stop chain…Sapp Bros for the night. I WILL have one of those toilets in my own house one day. Plus, this one provided a sink and mirror in each stall of the women’s restroom. And as you walked in, there was a TV!! How cool is that?!?! 

But of course, we had the locals celebrating the 4th just. Like everyone else, so it was late before we could relax enough to sleep. Every time we thought they were done, there were more loud booms.  

Tomorrow we hope for more mountains. From our heart to yours…thank you for your prayers and support. We love and miss you all.