Road Trip Day 25

9445: Number of miles complete. 1200: number of miles straight back to the house. A little over my estimated 8500 or so.
Today was a fabulous day. The sky was clear for yet another day. It sprinkled a bit today, but no rain. Out of 25 days, one rainy day - the day I went to Canada.
Today I started from Rock Springs, Wyoming. I've been wanting to call it Rock Ridge all day, but it isn't. I spent last night driving 65 in the dark for a couple hours, with a full moon, in deer country. Kind of a new experience for me to drive while seeing deer all over the place. I drove to Rock Springs so I could make it to tonight's destination, Rocky Mountain National Park. I did.
I came south toward Utah after a full 2 miles on interstate 80. And I have to say that it was an excellent move to take the road less traveled. The first thing I came on almost immediately was Firehole Canyon. Bright red sandstone was impressive. I turned off the road to get a bit closer, and I did exactly that, and went in some areas that I shouldn't have in a Saturn food door sedan. It was quite an experience in itself, without the scenery.
Next came Flame Gorge dam. Also, brilliant red rocks lining the canyon. Wonderful. And I got my dam tour, the one I missed at Grand Coulee. And this one was probably better, because I got a one on one tour. I got to ask all the questions I wanted and still finished reasonably fast.
I then proceeded to Dinosaur National Monument, south of the dam. It is one of the highest concentrations of dinosaur fossils on earth. Unfortunately, the visitors center next to the wall of bones is still under construction, so it was off limits. The hieroglyphics were open though. I did not, however, spend time trying to decode them. Knock yourself out if you cone this way.
Then, I contacted a friend on the way to my final destination, and I'm glad that she could fit me in for a short tour of the ranch and the dime tour of the town of Yampa, Colorado. I'm glad I stopped in.
After dark, I went over yet another pass, this one close to 9200 feet in elevation. I have learned a new skill- descending mountain passes in the dark.
I rolled into Rocky Mountain National Park after ten, found a suitable campsite, and am braving one more night in the tent with sleeping bag. I'll let you know what the view is in the morning...I haven't seen them yet. But I can tell you that the morning will be welcomed...forecast called for lows from 39 to 45. Very nice. Nice, indeed.
Tomorrow is the last sightseeing day before returning to Evergreen, CO for a few days with family before heading back to Houston. I still don't have a definite return day. Around the first or something.
Its been a hell of a trip. Drive on.