Wilson Adventures: Through the Rocky Mountains

The drive from Grand Junction to Denver was quite possibly the most interesting route we've ever taken. While the mountains on both sides stood high, we drove right next to the flowing Colorado River. Halfway through our drive (near Gypsum, Colorado), the Colorado River diverged north and the interstate followed the Eagle River east. Interstate 70, the youngest of the three modes of transportation through the mountains, usually ran right along the north side of the river. The Colorado and Eagle Rivers, the oldest means of transportation, moved swiftly, cutting their way through the mountains. I can imagine how wild they must be in the spring when the melted snow pushes the water even faster. On the south side of the river we saw a train track - and at one point (or more) the track was linked to a mine entrance. (Denver Nuggets?)

Nine ski resorts, or their exits, lined Interstate 70. It was a gorgeous Friday. Parking lots were filled. Lifts were running. We saw a cool gondola ride at Beaver Creek Ski Resort. Snowboarders patiently waited to take their turn on the half pipe at Vail Ski Resort.

We chugged along, ascending to heights of over 10,000 feet (that's twice as high as the highest point in all of Minnesota). The Flyer was suffocating, literally. There wasn't enough oxygen at 10,000 feet for the engine to get what it needed to efficiently get up that mountain. At 3,500 rpm's, the Flyer didn't even sound like it was working. We couldn't get it to exceed 35 mph! I thought for sure we would end up rolling backwards.

We made it over two great mountain ascents. The second lead us through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Did you know the Eisenhower Tunnel is noted as both the longest mountain tunnel and highest point on the Interstate Highway System? It is also where I-70 meets the Continental Divide.

Schoolwork needs to get done. Because we go, go, go on the days we are parked, we try to do school while we drive. But did you see what I just wrote...the things we saw along our drive? Every couple minutes Travis would yell, "Guys! Look at that!" or "Check this out!" or "Stop doing school and start looking out your window!" It is not possible to do bookwork when Dad is calling for everyone's attention constantly. Back to the unschooling. Travis taught the kids about the construction of I-70, rivers, mountains, transportation, mines, tunnels, the Continental Divide, rpm's, oxygen's effects on engines, and more. He even threw in some 'history stories' about his family's winter break trips to the area. (My kids love history stories.) I have an incredibly intelligent husband. I'm so glad he can share these things with the kids (and I learn a lot, too...I often ask, "How did you know that?!")

One thing we know for sure is 'what goes up must come down.' We descended about 5,000 feet into the city. The Flyer's engine was glad to get some reprieve. It was the brakes' turn. By the time we arrived in Golden, Colorado, we were literally burning rubber! P.U.!!!!!! If RV's could talk, I'm confident that, after our four and a half hour drive to the Denver suburb, the Flyer would be screaming, "Don't make me do that again!!!!"

We can't promise anything.

These are the only pictures I can find. I guess I was too busy gauking.