Southwest Day 6
Southwest
Day 06 - Monday, May 25, 2009 - Cortez, CO over Wolf Creek Pass and I-25 Home to Monument, CO
We woke up at 7:00, showered, gathered our gear, and packed the car. We slept so well at the Holiday Inn; we knew we could take on the world today, or at least fight the traffic on I-25 later on in the afternoon.
I checked the temperature and it was 52° with 72% humidity. We had one of the best and most complete hotel breakfasts in our travels.
At 8:30 we set the GPS and headed east past Mesa Verde on US Highway 160. It is incredible how green it is here in the valley compared to the barren Indian lands on the other side of Cortez. What a difference a few miles and a lot of water make!
As we marveled at the snow capped San Juan Mountains, the green forests, and the clear blue skies, we realize once again how lucky we are to call Colorado home.
Durango was just waking up as we passed through at 9:00 on Memorial Day. Rafters were running the Animas River, picnickers were getting set up in the parks, and the Colorado State Highway Patrol was out in numbers reminding everyone to drive safely by their presence.
After going up and over Wolf Creek Pass we had a little more rain in the lush San Luis Valley. We saw several home sites and horse properties for sale and thought of Gennie’s brother, Jim and sister-in-law Linda who are retiring from teaching this Spring.
The gas prices in Alamosa were as low as we had seen since leaving Arizona so we stopped to fill up the car and get a burger at Wendy’s right next door.
Our drive through the Valley and past Blanca Peak and the Great Sand Dunes below was spectacular in the morning sun. I stopped to take a few photos of a small herd of Black Angus cattle and their little calves enjoying the fresh green pastures.
Back to familiar I-25 just east of Walsenburg, we joined the parade of Memorial Day travelers; cars, vans, trucks, boats, campers, RV’s, and motorcycles. Tourist Season has begun!
I filled up the tank once again on Fillmore Street in Colorado Springs at 2:45. When we left last Wednesday, gas was $2.39/gal for premium and today it was $2.53/gal.
We made one last stop in Monument to get a few groceries and we pulled into our garage at 3:55. It is always great to travel and see the countryside.
We had such a wonderful visit with Jim and Mary Ann, our gracious hosts in Prescott, Arizona. But as they say, “There is no place like home…”
Total Distance Driven Today: 408
| Miles Traveled | Gallons | Avg. Price | MPG |
| 198.0 | 6.002 | $2.69 Prem | 32.9 |
| 196.9 | 5.66 | $2.53 Prem | 34.8 |
Total Distance Driven on the Trip: 1,662
| Miles Traveled | Gallons | Avg. Price | MPG |
| 1662 | 51.18 | $2.61 Prem | 32.47 |
Comments
Interesting trip; great photos; neat car. Amazing variation in gas prices. Keep up the great work. I enjoy traveling through your site.
Post a Comment!Great trip guys! Lot dryer in that part of the country than up here in the moist Northwest. Thanks for putting your travels on the net. We know it is a lot of work.
Mesa Verde
Chimney Rock
Looking East at Blanca Peak
Blanca Peak
Wild Hollyhock by Roadside
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