As I mentioned earlier, this would
be my first event and as such I wasn't sure how one of these events
would unfold. With that I decided to get there early, leaving early and
taking a direct route. I hopped onto the Interstate from Fort Collins
CO to Orin WY.
The stretch of US-20 from Orin to Lusk WY would tickle my mind - I was
on this road years ago as I was driving a car to California for my
younger brother.
Photos here.
No spot was particularily striking and I didn't jump to attention
saying "Hey, I remember that!!" Nonetheless it was neat being in this
non-descript, remote part of the U.S. knowing that I'd been here before.
The trip was filled with threatening skies, some damp roadway,
mountains in the distance, rolling hills, wide open valleys to stretch
the eyes and remnants of history - markings of where the road "used to
be".
It was also filled with a 1 hour addition to my trip. While I realize
I'm in an area that doesn't have much for towns I remain optimistic
that there will be a fuel station ahead, when I need one. Well, I don't
think that case would happen this time.
Passing through Lusk WY, which had a nice fuel station right at
the side of the road, my mind started to tickle me. You should
stop - no, I'm only about 1/2 tank - no, you should stop - no, I'll go
to the
next station. Passing
by that nice, easy to stop at station I left town. Soon I was in the
routine of getting by the slow moving RV's, taking a quick photo or
two, watching the rain approach me from behind, more photos, more
moving. Fuel was notching lower on the mental list due to scenery and making way.
It never fully left my mind and soon I would find myself checking the GPS for
"where's the closest gas station" - 30 miles behind me or 58 miles
ahead of me.
Fifty-Eight Miles!! No way - there must be something closer. I might be able to do that - if I was
really lucky and went slowly (40 mph to conserve fuel). I figured the
GPS couldn't be right - there was an intersection ahead where two
larger roads would connect - there must be a fuel station there. Since
I was at the point of last resort [I knew I'd have just enough to get
back to Lusk] and not wanting to chance it I pulled over and decided to
double-check with what the mapping software on the laptop would say. It
confirmed what the GPS was saying - 58 miles ahead or 30 miles behind.
Well, I'll be backtracking. It'll add maybe an hour to the trip.
Running out of fuel would likely add more than that to the trip. As the
rain caught up to me I packed the laptop and turned back towards Lusk.
The plus side - open road and nice scenery! About 15 miles out of Lusk
the fuel light came on - I should be able to do a bit more than 20
miles 'on reserve'. I'll make it.
The fuel station filled the tank with liquid optimism and I headed out
again. The backtrack miles went by readily enough and soon I'd be
processing new-to-me landscape. Ahhhhhhh... I'll learn to
listen to heed that voice in my head - someday.
Nearing the Black Hills I would find another bike ahead of me. "I
wonder if this is another STn member?" kept rolling through my head.
When he pulled into the same entrance as I - Yep - Bob from the Ken
Caryl area of Denver.
It appeared that we were the first to arrive - no other bikes or people
were around. Checked in and bags stowed we went to town for some lunch.
Leaving lunch it was pouring rain - we were ready for it and headed out
in the downpour. Standing around the resort (old cabins, tent spaces, a
covered picnic area) we watched and greeted as others arrived. It seems
we did well in not having terrible rain. Others were soaked and had
stories of hail and high winds (blowing them around the road).
Keeping track of names is difficult for me and this group would double
the issue - remembering their online or screen name as well as their
real name. Few are like me (uncreative) and use their real name as the
screen name. A relaxing evening - time for sleep.
