Conference over so we’re heading for the open road, hooray! Home for the next 4 weeks is a (small by American standards (and MJ’s)) camping van supplied by Escape Denver.
The drive North from Denver was a bit featureless with the mountains hidden in cloud but after leaving I25 to head across country towards Mt Rushmore we got to experience a bit of small town America with a few derelict homesteads along the route which were possibly a sad reminder of abandoned dreams, the land looked harsh for those trying to eek out a living there. However, despite the hard country the people we encountered couldn’t have been more welcoming and friendly. The weather deteriorated as the day progressed to the point of low cloud and rain at Rushmore so the iconic rock sculptures were barely in view but a brief glimpse of Washington’s profile through the mists gave a taste for what we were missing. Intending to return next morning we wild camped in forestry for the night only to awake to a snow covered wonderland and even lower cloud so never got to experience the works of art in the mountains. The night had been comfortable and made more tenable by camping with a partner – shared body heat being much appreciated! Having to get out in the middle of the night in the middle of the night to answer the calls of nature (disadvantages of aging water works!) not so great 🙂
Next episode – Rushmore onward.