up within seconds of the opening of
registration. This was a factor in letting
us know this event was all it was hyped
up to be. Sure enough, registration
was full in less than 20 seconds after it
opened. Fortunate enough for us, we all
made it in. The research and planning
could now continue.
With four months to prepare and plan,
we talked each day of meal planning,
a place to stay, trails we would take
and the daily countdown `til departure.
Our conversations were filled with
anticipation and eagerness. The priority
at this time was a place to stay. After
much research and debate, we decided
that Jube, the oldest and wisest one of
the group, would leave out several days
before us on Friday to scout out the area
and find us a place. We didn't want to
take a chance on driving all that way and
not having a place to stay since all of the
hotels and campgrounds would already
be booked and full.
After several months of planning,
purchasing and debate, Scot finally left
out of northcentral Arkansas on Friday
as planned. I left on Sunday, plowing
through the west Texas headwind
as I watched my gas gauge rapidly
descend from F to E. After 14 hours of
driving and a quick 1-hour nap at an
abandoned New Mexico casino, I finally
entered my final state. I climbed the
white rock peaked mountains entering
the Million Dollar Highway just in
time for the sun to engulf me in my
surroundings. It had been several years
since my eyes had seen how amazing
and breathtaking this area was. I had
to gather my thoughts and concentrate
on the road though, as I soon realized,
I was driving this highway with steep
cliffs with no guardrails.
I topped off the gas tank in Silverton,
and continued north toward Ouray.
About six miles out of Ouray, Jube
flagged me down and led me in to what
would be my home away from home
for the week. Terry and Julie were
on their way by this time and should
arrive soon. After a short welcome
and hugs, I went about setting up my
spot and settling into to this nice little
flat spot surrounded by the beautiful
Colorado Rockies.
TOYOTA TRAILS
12