Rockies 2006

There we were, sitting in a bath house in Thermopolis , WY .  Two college buddies in our running shorts, having just soaked our tired bodies in 104 degree water.  We reflected on what we had just done and pondered what lie ahead…

Our 2006 trip was going to be different than 2005.  Joe Whithead and I had decided to meet in Steamboat Springs , CO , which is equidistant between Dallas and San Jose , on Saturday, July 1^st.  This meant a 1,000 mile solo ride for each of us and then travel through Colorado , Wyoming , Montana and Idaho .

Thursday, June 29th

After a lot of research and planning we both headed out on Thursday June 29^th.  My route took me through Dallas and then toward the Panhandle of Texas.  My first stop for the night was in Amarillo , TX after 400 miles of travel.  I didn’t know what to expect, but found Amarillo to be a nice small town with a combination of trains, cattle, office buildings and typical highway travel amenities.  I stayed at the Big Texan Motel which is associated with a steakhouse that offers a “free” 72 ounce steak if you can finish it within one hour.  There was a guy attempting this, but he pulled up lame at 50 ounces.  The Texas décor of the restaurant and motel was so over the top (they even have a pool shaped like Texas ) that my stay was enjoyable in a freak show sort of way.  I spoke with Joe and he had made 440 miles his first day.