Day 21 - Stephanie

Well, the countdown to the end is well on it's way.  Only one more day of riding (hopefully), but knowing us, we will be pulling in Sunday some time.  Kevin mentioned that he was doing fantasy math in his mind and said that if we were on the road at 6 am and we rode hard, we could be home by midnight Saturday.  Again, fantasy math. 

493 miles today.  Kevin told me to go ride up and down the road for another 7 miles to hit the 500, I won't post my reply. 

We were both chilled to the bone by the time we rolled into Colby, KS.  We started the day out in the low 40's at the campsite from...............  fill in the blank yourself, I didn't want to offend anyone, next to the Colorado River.  The one good thing I got from that campsite was a star shot over the river (so when you see it and you're wondering what is on the side, that's the bank with the tall grasses).  Temps climbed up into the low 60's and then boom!  We went over the edge into Denver.  It was like traveling into another world!  From 64 degrees and sunny, to 35 degrees and snow on the trees.  We never hit it above 47 after that and the temps just kept dropping.  Heated/electric gear time!  Actually, we had that gear on before we went over into Denver, just to be on the safe side.  Sometimes we our dumb luck pays out.

We almost had a huge mishap at the exit before Strausborg, CO (where my sister just moved back to Louisville, KY from).  Some ingenious people hauling an over-sized load, stopped before an overpass and just beyond a curve on I-70.  Apparently they were out of their vehicles and on the road to see if the load would fit.  Kevin and I nearly, and literally, slammed into stopped traffic just around the curve going at a 75 mph lick.  He started yelling "Whoa whoa whoa!!" on our intercoms and I just said "Oh crap!" (not really the word I used).  He went one way to avoid cars and I went up a convenient exit ramp the other way to avoid my line of cars.  We were separated for a bit, but finally joined up again at Strausborg.  We congratulated each other for our quick reflexes, and, rubbery legs in tow, started down the Interstate again.  So glad my honey is quick brained

We rode into Kansas looking for Dorothy and Toto.  Even they were smart enough to stay in!  Dreary and overcast and cold! 

Just after getting into Kansas we saw a pink car up in the air and a diner behind it.  What the heck!  Off we went.  We consoled ourselves with Elvis Fries (french fries with a creamy gravy and cheese on top), not bad, but not great.  I splurged and had chicken fried steak while he had the Adkins Revenge omelet.  My chicken was topped with green salsa, which saved the meal.  Poor Kevin, alas, again, got the short end of the stick.  

So, to end today, we are in Colby, KS, NOT at a mom and pop's motel.  We were busted earlier today for eating at a Burger King (won't mention any names LM!  LOL) so Kevin has called off the pursuit of real America.  Now it's all about comfort and heat. 

Not many pics taken today, also uploading a big video I took with our Polaroid helmet cam while going some beautiful UT canyons!  (You tube is telling me it still has 467 minutes remaining.  Sooooo, hopefully by morning it will be ready to upload). 

Wish us luck tomorrow to fulfill Kevin's fantasy math!  And I hope this has been the trip he dreamed it would be to celebrate his 50th year on this earth.  Happy birthday again Love!

Rest area in CO - No Name Rest Area

Star spiral taken over Colorado River