Driving Across the US - Summer 2022 (Part 2)

This leg was from Salt Lake City to Lafayette, Colorado.

Motored towards the first major stopover in Colorado by weaving through the mountains of Utah and going through most of Wyoming before heading south into Colorado.

Along this part of US 80 - the highway often follows the freight train paths.

Saw lots of supply chain unwinding along the way

Hot air balloons greet us in the morning as we leave Utah

There are a lot of empty swaths through Wyoming. Seems like there is pretty much nothing in Wyoming along the highway except the energy business (whether oil or wind), mining, and some ranching.

Wyoming looks a lot like this the whole way

Sometimes you would see a refinery way off in the distance with nothing else around and you wonder why not just put it closer to the highway? Then you catch a slight waft of whatever they are doing out there and you’re like - oh - ok - let’s leave it out there.

You see a lot of these wooden structures along the highway in Wyoming - I guess they are there to prevent snow drifts from piling on the road

Laramie, WY

We stopped for a little break in Laramie, Wyoming. 

We visited in the lull period before the kids come back to school but the college town was quite pleasant.  This town has also adopted the whole mural thing.  They have a walk/drive where you can see the works scattered around town.  Having a university really does help towns like this be vibrant as it brings a more diverse and open-minded community. 

Grabbed an excellent coffee at Coal Creek Coffee Company.

After two days of driving - the dog was happy to be able to be out of the car and stretch out some when we finally got to our first long stopping point in Colorado.

Well earned rest for Ronin