After our fun-filled night at Holeinsky Vineyards and Winery, Tom and I packed up our wine and continued our journey to Colorado. We were anxious to get home, especially since the rainy and windy weather wasn’t ideal for sightseeing. Tom and I covered 800 miles in two and a half days.
We took Interstate 84 east to connect with Interstate 80 near Echo, Utah. Near Walcott, Wyoming, we took Highway 130 southeast to connect with Highway 230. Wyoming Highway 230 turns into Colorado Highway 125 at the state line. We continued south on Highway 130 to Walden then took Highway 14 southwest to connect with Highway 40 to Kremmling. From Kremmling, Highway 9 led us south to Dillon Reservoir where it overlaps with Interstate 70 for a short distance before continuing southeast around the reservoir. We stayed on Highway 9 until it connected with Highway 24 then east on 24 to home!
Sights from Idaho to Wyoming
Soon after leaving the vineyard in Buhl, Idaho, we crossed the Snake River. Like all our other river sightings on this trip, the Snake was full and fast. So was the freight train we passed along Interstate 84. This drive along Highway 84 has become one of our favorites across Utah. It’s much prettier than taking Interstate 80.
We had nice weather most of the day. But, as we crossed into Wyoming, the rain started falling and the wind started blowing.
Boondocking and traveling across Southwestern Wyoming
We reached Rock Springs, Wyoming during the peak of the storm; with thunder booming and lightning flashing. Tom and I decided to boondock in the Walmart parking lot since we were stuck in the camper anyway. When we awoke the next morning, the storm had passed but it was still cold and cloudy. By the time we crossed the raging North Platte River in Saratoga, the sky was starting to clear.
Aly had been mostly stuck inside since we left the winery but she enjoyed watching the many herds of cattle we passed. She can smell them a mile away. Ah... Wyoming, Beef Country!
Traveling across Northern Colorado
By the time we crossed into Colorado, another rainstorm caught up with us. Soon after crossing the state line, we crossed the North Platte River again. The weather wasn’t great for camping, we were thrilled to see the lakes and rivers so full and the hills so green this far into June.
Camping near Green Mountain Reservoir
After being cooped up in the truck and driving for two days, Tom and I were hoping to enjoy a last night of camping and fishing before returning home. We pulled into the Prairie Point Campground on the Blue River, just south of Green Mountain Reservoir. It’s a beautiful campground and we had it all to ourselves! The rainstorm seemed to be swirling around us all night but we managed to get out between downpours… just enough for Aly to get a little exercise and a lot of dirt. She got a shower after digging in the mud and rolling in what may have been a dead deer.
Pikes Peak or Bust
When we woke up at our campground, the skies were clearing but it was still cold. We considered building a campfire and hanging out for a while but we were so close to home. It seems the closer we get to home, the stronger the pull. But, first things first!
We found an RV dump station just off Highway 9 in Silverthorne. It’s not free but the $3 fee is less expensive than most places that charge a fee. This dump station, however, does not have fresh water. It didn't matter to us since we were emptying our fresh water tank anyway.
We got our first glimpse of Pikes Peak as we descended the east side of Wilkerson Pass on Highway 24. But, our favorite view of Pikes Peak is the one from our front yard!
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