Day 6: Morning on Magnolia

After a couple of hours of shuteye, we woke up with the sun rising over the mountains (it was only then that we saw campsites set up, oh well!)

Good morning!

It was hard to stop clicking away with the way the light hit the trees, city buildings and pavement. I thought I saw Denver on the far right of the horizon.

Grateful!

It's hard to tell how steep and windy this road was.... Ayyy!!

Happy as a clam. The car was also named Magnolia for doing such a great job up the mountain.

These images are good for opening up and flippin through as we roll down the steep hill...

It's not a special effect-- that mailbox was actually huge. I can't imagine the glory of living up here.

Back through the tunnel from last night, returning into town. 

Cute bear entrance-- we saw lots of modern takes on the log cabin/ranch.

Good night! Back to sleep for a little while longer in the car (not this one, I wish) before breakfast in Boulder...

Day 5: A Cuban in Nebraska and Boulder Lights

 

 We saw so many of these long trains carrying coal... once I counted 115 train cars!

 Looks like the whole town of Cairo, Nebraska, went fishing on this Saturday morning.

 Driving into Grand Island, Nebraska...

 Janie brought us to a super-authentic Cuban restaurant in town-- the owner drives to Miami every couple of weeks to pick up ingredients such as big green avocados (seen below).

 Mmm!

Lots of home-made wooden placards with Cuban advice: Those who hurt you make you strong, those who criticize you make you important, those who envy you make you valuable, and those who wish the worst for you have to deal with the BEST happening to you.

 Such a loving family!

 Outside of the restaurant....

 Back on the road!

 Reflection in our souvenir from Nebraska (just go ahead and guess what it is...)

 So far we've gone six states West! More fun truck art...

 Some more long trains...

Raul's photos (above and below) during the short time I drove.

 The landscape shifts outside of Boulder as we get into the Great Plains.

 Setting sun over Boulder on our way into town.

 Raul was amazed by the mountains.

 Strange clouds in town.

If you squint, you can read "Hungry Hungry Hippies" on their sign.

 Thoroughly entertained by the Zip Code Man on the Pearl Street Mall. He is able to tell any passerby where they're zip code is (and what's the best food in town).

We wanted to camp outside of Boulder, but it turns out that most camping is about an hour North. First I asked a hippie (he said we could ninja camp anywhere) and then Raul asked a cop (who said we couldn't camp within city limits)... and ended up not taking anyone's advice!

Making a U-Turn! Eventually ended up driving up Magnolia Road and parking up at the top for the night (since the idea of driving down at night was just terrifying).

 Good night!