TIME FOR A CHANGE OF PLANS
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I woke up to a crisp blue sky with some clouds here and there at Devils Tower, Wyoming. Another day in the 80s was expected, but it was windy, and I had a feeling the weather was going to change. Rain was on the way, and that wasn’t good news for my plans.
I’d hoped to photograph the Milky Way at Devils Tower, but I realized it would be too far to the right for the composition I wanted. Somehow, I’d missed that little detail during my research. With rain in the forecast, it was time for a change of plans.
Instead of heading toward Alamosa, Colorado, as originally planned, I decided to make my way to Colorado Springs. Driving directly to Alamosa would have meant about 10 hours of driving, including stops. Colorado Springs seemed like the more manageable option, with about seven hours of driving.
I packed my belongings, loaded up the car, and hit the road.
TRADING TREES FOR OPEN ROAD
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I stopped near the intersection of U.S. Hwy 14 and WY-24 to photograph some more trees.
The terrain gradually changed from somewhat arid to flatlands. Along the roadside, I spotted pronghorns and stopped to photograph them. One was on the wrong side of a fence and appeared to be trying to get back to its family.
During a private Jeep tour in Custer State Park, our guide had explained that pronghorns can only jump about 6–12 inches high. If I remembered correctly, jumping the fence wasn't likely to be an option. I hoped this one would find an opening somewhere.
I arrived in Gillette and made my turn south. By then, thick clouds were moving in from the west. The forecast had been right, and isolated showers were possible. I hoped I wouldn't get caught in one.
I kept driving through the flatlands until I noticed a mountain range to the west.
The Rockies, perhaps?
I checked the map and discovered that one of the peaks was Laramie Peak.
Ugh... still far from the state line.
A LITTLE FALL AT BUC-EE'S
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Eventually, I crossed into Colorado. I needed a restroom break and spotted a Buc-ee's in Johnstown, so I stopped to fuel up and use the restroom.
Johnstown Buc-ee’s
The scene of my not-so-graceful arrival in Colorado.
As I walked across the concrete, I caught my foot on a raised section I hadn't noticed and went down hard. I landed on both knees and my hands.
A man nearby asked if I was okay. My hands stung, but they were only lightly scraped. My knees were sore, although I didn't see any bruising.
I was mortified.
What a total dingdong!
Once the initial embarrassment wore off, I couldn't help thinking about how grateful I was to be fit enough to handle a fall like that. As we get older, maintaining our strength, balance, and mobility becomes increasingly important. You never know when something like this might happen.
After I got over the humiliation, I went inside and took care of business.
On my way back to the car, I started wondering if the security cameras had caught my spectacular fall. Would someone be watching the footage and laughing? Would security replay it? Could I end up on social media?
Oh, great. Just what I needed!
DENVER TRAFFIC AND A HOTEL MIX-UP
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Back on the road, I headed toward Denver. The traffic became bumper-to-bumper, and I could feel my irritation building.
Oh, man. Get me out of here!
I was already missing the solitude of Wyoming's less crowded roads.
Once I made it through Denver, the traffic wasn't too bad, and I eventually reached Colorado Springs.
I soon discovered I'd booked the wrong hotel. It was part of the same main hotel company, but I'd selected a different brand than the one I intended.
The hotel app allowed me to select a first-floor room, but that apparently didn't matter because it was changed to the top floor, facing west. I got to my room and was totally surprised. It was a nice room with a view of Pikes Peak in the distance.
Okay, all was forgiven.
Of course, you can’t finish Chinese food without cracking open a fortune cookie. The restaurant gave me two, so I had to read both fortunes.
I’m sure the messages were written specifically for this restaurant, but I’ll take it.
I planned to visit Garden of the Gods and the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel the following day, but the chapel was closed for renovation. Since I couldn't check into my next rental accommodations until later in the afternoon, I had some time to explore before continuing toward Alamosa.
I'd figure out the rest as I went.
