Day to explore mountains

Today we start our journey back east somewhat.  It’s about an eight hour drive down to Longmont, CO.  We got an early start so that we can stop for any sights along the way.  It was a rainy morning to pack and get out.  After a short stop of gas and drive through breakfast, we started out drive through the valley along the Hoback River.  It was gorgeous to have the clouds settled in the mountains all around us as we drove along this beautiful river.  Again we took note of lots of camp grounds along the valley.  We took a little detour to see Freemont Lake in Pinedale.  It’s a large lake with a very nice campground along the south side.  Beautiful clear lake and with fantastic views of the far mountains.   

Our lunch stop was in Rock Springs where we ate at the Chill Grill; mildly decorated as a 50’s dinner located in a remodeled gas station.  We sat outside under the pump awning.  It was a fun first.    The food was typical grill sandwiches, burgers and hotdogs plus they had a large menu of ice cream sundaes, shakes, etc.   

Continuing our journey now on Hwy. 90, we watch train after extra long train travel West.  Some appeared to be loaded and others completely empty of cargo.  You can see them coming for miles and they seem to be a mile long each.  It’s raining again after having blue and white skies since late morning.   We are bypassing the Medicine Bow scenic drive because the rain is pelting and the warnings are 40mph wind gusts – much happier driving in the valley in these conditions.  

 

We drove under a canopy of dark cloud for about three hours always chasing the edge.  Just as we arrived near the Longmont exit, our stop for the night, we came out from under the edge of that cloud into sunlight.  We celebrated!   Tonight we are in a Home 2 Suite and it is so roomy for the five of us and has a nice little kitchen.