Days 85-86 - Steaming to Steamboat

I must now disclose the plan was to head straight north on I-35 from DFW through to Nebraska; then west through Wyoming; finally dropping down to Steamboat from north to south. We wimps call that the flat route. Of course there would be a couple of 9000’ mountain passes, but nothing like the Eisenhower tunnel and Rabbit Ears Pass, both above 11,000.’ Better safe than sorry. OK, world, bring it on!

Two alternate routes to avid high altitude mountain passes. Good thinking, right?

One of the things I love most about Lizzy is she’s always up for a new challenge. This time I tested her patience and endurance simultaneously. Check-In at our abode in Steamboat is July 16th. Our original plans were to leave on the 13th or 14th depending upon how many days travel we included. Somehow, (blink, blink) that departure date kept inching forward until it reached July 11th. Even more interesting it was to commence around 9pm after a farewell dinner with friends Reb and Vickie. Stops were to be…well…hmmm…perhaps…none. That computes to 11-1200 miles non-stop, mostly at night. Makes perfect sense to me. I mean, why not put those new LEDs to the test. Besides, there’s less traffic at night and we can poke along at 55mph with a big smile across the grill of the Jeep. A near perfect plan.

The magic departure time finally arrived. There in the driveway stood our trusty Jeep, panting gleefully, and sporting its 5x9, ramp-trailer loaded with the triple-black BMW R1200GS Adventure. It reminded me of the Iditarod and a team of barking Husky sled dogs anxious to begin their daunting trek. Cinched and loaded…away we go!!

The night passed quickly and morning found us near Hays, KS nearing the Colorado border. The trusty Jeep was performing so beautifully we made the decision to continue on I-70 straight through Denver and right up to the Eisenhower tunnel. How’s that for taming your inner nerd? All went well as we began the climb from the Kansas plains up the the mile high city, Denver. We breezed through the light early-afternoon traffic and were soon heading straight up into the mountains. Oops! Someone is waving at us. I wonder why? Is there smoke coming from the Jeep? Do we have a flat on the trailer? Then Liz’s phone rings. OMG…it’s Rosie and Paul. They’re heading back up to Tabernash from a dr. appointment in Denver. What are the odds that the only people we know in the entire state of Colorado are driving along side us on I-70? We all pull over and exchange greetings. How bizarre is that? But…alas…Eisenhower still awaits.

Actual route!!

OK, folks…enough of the suspense. The climb over Eisenhower is well into the rear view mirror. It was totally uneventful. That said, I’m glad I did my homework. As a result we set the automatic transmission in 2nd gear, stayed in the far right lane and crept up the steep incline at 40-45mph. Since we never lost momentum, the Jeep never complained. As a matter of fact, Rabbit Ears Pass, near Steamboat, was a much steeper climb and faster descent. Because I took the time to understand the gearing, strengths and weaknesses of the Wrangler, we never experienced any discomfort. I must admit, however, that the vehicle is not like any other with which I have towed. It certainly has quirks and should be treated with respect. The trailer is now safely back in the loving arms of U-Haul and the bike is smiling. Oh...and I highly recommend LED headlamps if you plan to do much night travel...what a difference a day(light) makes!!