Red Roads and Rhythm

When traveling or PCSing pre-minions, the hubby and I traveled well together. We could be up at the crack of dawn, drive most of the day, see random roadside oddities and be happily on our way. We easily found a rhythm to long drives.

My dear husband has a love of taking the road less traveled. Or any road. Or gravel path. Or blaze his own trail. Before the GPS we always kept an atlas in the car, and we joked about the “red roads”. Red roads in an atlas may *seem* like a good idea because they are often a more direct route from one location to another, but they are usually of the 35 mph variety, or hilly with hairpin turns, or under construction and down to one lane. He LOVES these adventures. Me? Not so much.

The day started with a good run in Cody, Wyoming although a bit hard due to the unaccustomed altitude. After that we just couldn’t get out of town for coffee runs, checking out of the hotel, potty breaks, time changes, fuel, and by that time it was almost lunch. We drove out of town around noon and since we started this epic journey we have yet to find any sort of rhythm that came so naturally sans kids.

Late start, led to late lunch, and even later dinner. Partly due to traversing this monstrosity (and yes, the road was both literally and figuratively red):

The tallest peak of these mountains is over 13,000 ft, and this road crests at 10,620. Let me just say that for someone who does not enjoy heights, this was very difficult. 8% grade, switchback turns, and some panicky vertigo made for a long climb and descent.

After eating, more potty breaks, etc, we were headed to our campsite just outside of Mt. Rushmore. This is another one those “red road” adventures!

Construction, gravel road, one lane only entrance to the Black Hills.

We arrived at 9:30pm and proceeded to set up our tent in the dark. I am actually typing this from the inside of my cozy sleeping bag.

Here’s to better rhythm and fewer red roads in the future!

(But I won’t hold my breath!)