450 miles
$0: Urban camping on the streets of Golden, CO

We got up very early to make the long journey to my brother’s home in Golden, CO. Since we were driving due East, when the sun poked above the horizon, I chose to pull over for 15 minutes to wait it out. I’m so glad I did.

Later, it got even more desolate.

This is not the kind of Navigation warning you want to see as you approach Vail, Colorado, with no alternate routes.

Sure enough, this was my view for an hour or so. Cars were being detoured to the small road parallel to the highway, but me and the big-rigs got to wait on the highway.

Do you see all the yellow? September 12, and evidence of Fall color was everywhere.

And of all the passes (Canadian Rockies, etc) I’ve conquered with the Touareg on this trip, Vail was the hardest on the car. The temp gauge crept up for the first time on the trip. Even while trailing slow-moving trucks in the slow lane.

We eventually made it to Golden. My nephew got to see his puppy, and I got to sleep in a real bed for the first time in 2 months. And do loads and loads of laundry.

I have to be back for orchestra rehearsals (and remember how to play bass) by September 19. How much fun and beautiful scenery can I squeeze out of this trip until I hit the corn states? Stay tuned.