Day 1
Started with some thunderstorm in the mountains
Started to clear up a bit, still like freezing cold
There’s a museum of recreation how things were like back in the 1800s wild west
Keg back then
Casino back then
Later I detoured to see some fussils
Of course a fox (my English name)
Old mines
At this point I was a bit tired and decided to head back to a hotel early in Colorado Springs
Some happy hours and a soccer match now it’s time for some InAndOut burgars!
Day 2
Garden of Gods
Now it’s the Incline (hike)
Milestone
Last step!
On the way down (a different path)
Then it’s the drive up to Pikes Peak
At the peak
Later I settled in a Hostel in which I am genuinely impressed with. Didn’t know we had great hostels in the USA. Had I had a bit more time, I think I can easily stay for a couple of days there. Good vibe.
Day 3
WW2 aircraft time!
Then a short hike to break up the drive to Great Sand Dunes
Really windy so I didn’t do the entire hike.
Turns out I had visited the park back in 2021 before. I guess I wasn’t too impressed then so I didn’t have any recollections
Settled myself in a motel that’s owned by Korean and went to have Chinese food next door. Wild to see Asians running business in small rural town
Day 4
Driving towards the Million Dollar hwy
Stopped by Durango for a ride
A random “hot” spring
Got some road sign saying road closures. Was a bit scared to have to drive 3hrs back down
The cause of the closure is the wild fire
Fortunately, there’s a county road to detour out
Got to the Black Canyon NP but it’s very smokey
Being so hot also drained my energy
Day 5
Smoke cleared up a bit. Drove on the Grand Mesa byway
Now it’s the Colorado Monument
It’s really underrated comparing to all the famous canyons in Utah
Longhorn sheep!
Revisit Moab!
Was a bit tired so settled in Moab instead of driving further north. A nice town, cheap motels, great brews!
Day 6
Driving back to Logan to pick up my car!
Drove to Idaho Falls for the night.
Funny how I almost forgot how to drive my own car after driving my rental for 16days!
If I arrived earlier, I could have done a bike ride.
Day 7
Visiting Craters of the moon National Monument
My park was really busy even in the early morning. I think approach the absolute peak of the travel season didn’t help.
US93 turned out to my favorite scenic byway. (Salmon River)
Little hike to a Hot Spring
Decided to settled in Missoula, MT for the night
Happy hour to see USA won!
Day 8 (Home)
Did an early run before headed back home. Long drive though
Old train depot
Now it’s the long i90 drive
A gas station has salmon fish tank
A train museum
Last city (I think if I had more time, it would be cool to stay near the lake) before leaving Idaho
All the way home!
Expenses
| Week 67 | Currency: | USD | 1 | |||
| Day | Food&Drink | Lodging | Transportation | Other (tickets/tours etc) | Day total | Country |
| 1 | $10.82 | $136.00 | $46.14 | $15.75 | $208.71 | USA |
| 2 | $39.17 | $88.27 | $49.14 | $18.00 | $194.58 | USA |
| 3 | $63.23 | $109.62 | $91.38 | $24.00 | $288.23 | USA |
| 4 | $30.05 | $90.87 | $78.39 | $0.00 | $199.31 | USA |
| 5 | $23.26 | $63.70 | $78.23 | $0.00 | $165.19 | USA |
| 6 | $35.84 | $195.73 | $347.89 | $8.00 | $587.46 | USA |
| 7 | $38.26 | $210.00 | $15.42 | $0.00 | $263.68 | USA |
| $240.63 | $894.19 | $706.59 | $65.75 | |||
| Total | Grand Total: | $1,907.16 |
| Week 68 | Currency: | USD | 1 | |||
| Day | Food&Drink | Lodging | Transportation | Other (tickets/tours etc) | Day total | Country |
| 1 | $19.00 | $0.00 | $2.35 | $5.00 | $26.35 | USA |