Day 13: Rock Springs, Wyoming to Glenwood Springs, Colorado #fiveexplore #travellingduringcovid19

Day 13 – July 29th

The day began with a heart stopping moment when it appeared COVID would crush our tour of Rocky Mountain National Park (-planned for tomorrow). Apparently, you now need to book a day pass, and none were available. Luckily, I read the small print. The restriction is only until 5pm. I spoke to a cheery Ranger who assured me driving after 5pm without a pass was fine. It was also the best time to see a Moose. So, panic over.

We left late after the early starts at Yellowstone, rejoined Route 191, and travelled south for the Utah border. As we left Rock Springs, vast valleys of desert, shrubs and mountains stretched beneath the highway. We were now skimming the south west desert region of the US. The scenery reminded me of the middle east (I am half Arabic). Indeed, recently I showed work colleagues a picture of Wadi Rum in Jordan, and they assumed I was in Utah.

The arid landscape soon acquiesced at Flaming Gorge National Park, containing one of the largest reservoirs in America and a scenic road across the dam. We ventured back up the hills behind some slow-moving cars with boats. An hour later we were in the small town of Vernal in Utah. The stop needed to be brief as Utah is a ‘Red’ COVID state. The disheveled shop assistant handling my food without gloves or mask only hastened our departure.

We turned east and began the long journey back to the east coast. Within minutes we were crossing the Colorado border and heading for the town of Dinosaur. This area of Utah and Colorado is where large concentrations of dinosaur fossils have been found. Plastic dinosaur models reared their ugly head outside remote outlets on the road. North of us was Dinosaur National Monument. At Dinosaur we turned right onto Stegosaurus highway; a road that failed to fulfil its exciting name.

On these deserted roads Sarah and I reminisced how much the girls had grown since we moved to America. I could not believe they were going to change so much by the time we return to the UK. Sagely Lyra reminded me, “you’re never too young to age Dad”.

We had two large delays at road works along the way. Miles of road were dug up. We had to wait for a pilot car with a large orange sign reading ‘Follow Me’ to guide us through these roads. Then he turned round and guided the vehicles on the other side of the road. Ad infinitum. If they used this system in New York City there would be even more riots to deal with.

The scenery was turning greener. We arrived at our next stop, Glenwood Springs. Our hotel resembled a chalet in the middle of the Alps. Large hills surrounding us. Pine ceilings and wooden beams. A cable car next to the reception ferried guests up to the top of a nearby mountain. Down the road were outdoor hot springs. The hotel swimming pool was excellent. Slides, fountains, and a basketball area which became the source of family competition (Zaria narrowly won a best of three game).

We finished the day with a Mexican meal from a local restaurant called Tequilas. Although unappreciated by the younger members of our family, the food was wonderful. Seafood cooked in a pineapple with beans and rice, Shrimps cooked in a green sauce with avocado plus Steak fajitas were some of the highlights.

Tomorrow the bell rings for a round with the Rocky Mountains and Trail Ridge Road. I cannot wait.

In addition to this daily blog, you can check out our Instagram feed for more photos and short posts documenting our 2020 road trip @fiveexplore