Mountain Bike Telluride to Moab

July 8-14, 2003

On July 5, 2003 Barry Nelson and I loaded our new Giant Yukon mountain bikes and panniers in the back of my car and left Columbia, Maryland at 5:00 a.m. on a 2 ½ day 2070 mile drive west on I-70 to Moab, Utah. After being shuttled back to Telluride, Colorado, the next day we started an arduous 7 day 206 mile mountain bike ride back to Moab. The first day was a difficult climb to the Last Dollar Hut at 10,980' our highest point on the ride. My confidence was shaken after walking some for the first time ever. We met Dennis Charney M.D., son Alex, brother Howard Charney D.D.S. and his son Zach our hut mates for the week. Our route took us northwest through the Uncompahgre National Forest on a plateau about nine thousand feet in elevation before descending into Gateway on the Delores River and then climbing over the La Sal Mountains to descend into Moab. I gained confidence and skills as I became acclimated to the altitude, adjusting to riding a mountain bike for the first time and learning how to negotiate the ever changing road conditions. We encountered hard pack, loose gravel, deep gravel, loose sand, deep sand, loose rocks, large rolling rocks, deep loose dirt, rough bed rock, steep ascents and descents. Some of the steep descents were scary as we twisted down a ledge carved on the side of a mountain with horrific road conditions constantly challenging you to keep control. Climbing out of Gateway we had to bike up a 20% grade for ¼ mile and then 19% grade for 1/8 mile. The next day our efforts were rewarded, after some very rough road going around a small canyon and descending off the escarpment, by a long fast glide down hard pack and paved road into Moab. I am very proud of our little group of 6 first time mountain bikers who all made it safely without a major mishap. The temperatures were in the 90s to over 100 degrees every day and very dry with no rain.

July 5, 2003 Saturday Drive Columbia, MD to Wentzville, Missouri

Got up at 4:00 and ate breakfast. Picked up Barry Nelson and loaded his gear. Left Columbia at 5:00 via Cedar Lane to MD-32 west to I-70 west to I-68 west to I-79 north to I-70 west.

Stopped for gas west of Columbus, Ohio and filled up with 13.3 gallons for $17.50. Ate lunch of fish sandwich, fries and vanilla milk shake for $4.91. Drove through heavy rain for ½ to ¾ an hour west of Columbus. Passed Indianapolis at 600 miles from home, crossed the Mississippi River and gassed up in St. Charles, Missouri with 12.4 gallons for $17.50 also had a hot fudge sundae with nuts for $1.06.

Stopped at 8:00 EDST and checked into room 125 of the Super 8 for $66.89 in Wentzville, Missouri. We were on the road 15 hours covering 889.2 miles averaging 59.24 miles per hour while the car is averaging 34.6 miles per gallon. Went to the Cracker Barrel for ice tea, chicken, dumplings, green beans, mashed potatoes and a blackberry cobbler with ice cream for $12.81 including tip.

July 6, 2003 Sunday Drive Wentzville to Silverthorne, Colorado

Got up at 3:55 and ate a peach and 2 apples. Drove from the motel at 4:23 CDST going west on I-70. Stopped at McDonalds for a milk and 2 breakfast burritos with hot salsa. Passed Kansas City into Kansas and took the turnpike for $1.85.

After 415 miles we stopped for gas in Salina, Kansas and put 13.0 gallons in for $19.25. Ate a 6" Italian BMT sub with chips and a cola at Subway for $6.73. At 732 miles we stopped in Arriba, Colorado for 11.3 gallons of gas for $17.33 and an ice cream bar for $1.26.

At 6:00 CDST (5:00 locally) we stopped in Silverthorne, Colorado and checked into the Luxury Inn room 114 for $60.25. We were in room 115 next door last year when we biked across the country. We drove 892.8 miles in 13 hours 37 minutes averaging 65.6 miles per hour with the speed limits at 70 or 75 mph. The car is averaging 36.7 miles per gallon with the air conditioning running in the hot weather. We drove about a mile to the Dam Brewery in Dillon for blackened mahi mahi, mixed vegetables, rice, a pint of Pale Ale and a pint of ESB for $23.82.

July 7, 2003 Monday Drive Silverthorne to Moab, Utah

Got up at 4:00 MDST. Drove out of Silverthorne at 4:23 heading west on I-70. Stopped at a McDonalds for a milk and two breakfast burritos with hot salsa for $3.95 in Grand Junction, Colorado. Crossed into Utah and drove 30 miles south on US-191 into Moab at 4500' arriving at 9:00. We drove 290.4 miles in 4 hours 37 minutes averaging 62.9 miles per hour.

It is very hot as we stopped at the visitors center and picked up brochures on Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. I called Jeremy at Outermost Adventures on 970 626-5491 to move our pick up time to 1:00 instead of 3:00. Drank a root beer float for $4.01. I forgot to bring any GORP from home so we stopped at the city market for mixed nuts, raisins and M&Ms for $8.80 plus a sub sandwich and lemonade for $3.13 for lunch. Filled the gas tank with 12.8 gallons for $22.01.

Jeremy arrived at 1:15 at Lyon Park next to the Colorado River on US-191 north of town. I left my car here in the sweltering heat. As we drove the 140 miles in 2 hours and 30 minutes to Telluride, Colorado Jeremy gave us a running commentary on our bike route, local biking trails and the history, geology and customs of the country we were passing through. We passed through beautiful and spectacular countryside with mountains, high plains and deep river gorges on back roads.

Jeremy dropped us in front of our lodging at 3:45 and we each paid him $140. We checked into














room 13 of the Oak Street Inn for $64.03. Our room is on two floors with stairs going up one wall. I took the upper level which was hot. We took the free gondola lift with great views to the ski village, walked around and came back. Stopped in the Village Mart for cheese, bagels and juices for tomorrow's breakfast and lunch. We walked to Sofia's Mexican Restaurant for a Negra Modelo, salsa and chips, black beans, rice, taco, enchilada and burrito for $22.95.

July 8, 2003 Tuesday Bike Telluride to Last Dollar Hut

Went to bed at 8:40 last night. I was in the loft bed so it was warm. Barry opened a window and our door giving us a nice cool breeze. He got cold during the night and closed the window. I slept with nothing over me all night. Got up at 5:31 packed up and ate an orange, banana and drank a pint of orange juice. Barry discovered that my rear tire was flat. Since I pumped the tire up 5 days ago, had not ridden it since and it was okay yesterday, I figured it was caused by the shuttle. I found two puncture holes one each side of the tire probably caused by weld tear drops on the mesh basket rack.

I loaded the bike with my panniers and we were away at 6:58 in 42^o west out of town at 8750' elevation on a bike path. At 4.1 miles we crossed the highway and started climbing up toward the Telluride Airport. Here at the airport at 6.2 miles the road turned to gravel as we descended 400' crossing a creek. There are scattered homes along the way. We resumed climbing entering Uncompahgre National Forest and the road deteriorated badly as we traversed wide rock slide fields. We passed through thick groves of white birch (aspen?) trees alternating with the very rough rocky stretches. I'm having trouble and have to stop a few times when I discover I'm in my 2nd chainring. Now I have trouble keeping the front wheel down on the road when I go over big rocks or bumps. We take a brief break and then emerge from the trees into the sun and climb steeply through a series of three switchbacks. We biked around the first switchback but the road got steeper and rougher so we had to stop. We walked much of the distance to the 2nd switchback. We are winded not being acclimated to the altitude stopping to rest and regain our breath. We quickly bike to the ridge and the 3rd switchback. We turned



right and walked our bikes up a very steep and rough trail with loose rocks along the ridgeline ¼ mile to the Last Dollar Hut at 10,980' elevation arriving at 10:30. The barometer is at






687 millibars (20.29") at 20^oC (68^oF) with a nice breeze and great panoramic views with the road laid out literally almost straight down. We biked 14.8 miles averaging 5.7 miles per hour reaching a maximum speed of 25.0 miles per hour climbing 2904' (885 meters) descending 935' (285 meters) in two climbs.

At 12:30 Dennis Charney 52 M.D. in Psychiatry at NIH, his son Alex 18 entering NYU this fall, his brother Howard Charney D.D.S. from Connecticut and Howard's son Zach 14 arrived. We would share the huts, our meals and lives for the week. Alex cooked chili, corn and peas with pineapple and peaches for dessert and then cleaned up. Alex insisted on doing the cooking for the entire week. My confidence is shaken as I am having trouble riding my new bike, with the altitude and with the rough ever changing road conditions. If the whole week is like today I'm in big trouble.

July 9, 2003 Wednesday Bike Last Dollar Hut to Spring Creek Hut

I crawled into my sleeping bag liner about 8:40 last night. It was warm and stuffy in the hut and warmed up during the night. Everyone woke up stuffy and groggy. The moon rose and set early leaving great stars at 11,000 feet. I woke up at 5:30 to 55^o (13^oC) outside. Packed up and ate a bagel with a cup of tea.

Barry and I biked from the hut at 6:28. We walked our bikes through the woods on single track a short distance down some very steep slopes with loose footing. We got on the road for a very rough 3 mile 10% grade downhill riding our brakes over rocks and through streams. We had some great views of the mountains and a deep ravine. Saw a large mule deer with it's long ears. The rest of the day we were on gravel or dirt roads except for a brief downhill on paved CO-62. The road varied a lot from rocky rutted tracks to reasonable gravel roads. We passed the ranch where they filmed "True Grit". We saw a large weasel type creature and an antelope. We kept moving stopping only for water and snacks arriving at Spring Creek Hut at 8661' (2640m) at 10:40. We biked 27.1 miles in 3:22:06 hours averaging 8.0 mph reaching a maximum 34.0 mph climbing 2067' (630m) and descending 3757' (1145m) in 3 climbs.

It is sunny and clear with a slight breeze in 82^o (28^oC) with the barometer at 21.67" (734 mbars). As I did everyday I washed up getting the dust and sweat off which is coating everything. I am very hungry so I ate the last onion bagel with two big pieces of cheddar cheese, chicken noodle soup and green tea. The Charneys arrived at 12:48 in good shape. Some had had minor spills but with no damage. Alex made spaghetti with smoked sausage red sauce, mixed salad by Zach and Oreos for supper. A young couple with two dogs ran through camp on a trail pausing briefly to chat. My confidence is returning as I shifted and handled my bike much better, my breathing is easier and I negotiated the rough downhill terrain without falling.

The huts have eight bunks each on two walls, propane stoves and lamps, wood stove, metal storage cabinets, galvanized steel trash cans and heavy plastic trunks for storing all non canned food, paper and plastic products and sleeping bags. The trash cans are used for crushed cans, used paper and plastic, garbage and general trash. The food stock is incredible with piles of canned fruit, vegetables, meats, soups and pastas. The cabinets have Gatorade, Tang, hot chocolate, teas, coffees, cereals, granola and candy, fresh vegetables, eggs, etc., etc. Crappers are metal trash cans perforated with holes under a wooden platform with a can for used toilet paper and a can with dirt for covering waste in the trash can. San Juan Huts are building two story composting outhouses but none were ready for use.

July 10, 2003 Thursday Bike Spring Creek Hut to Columbine Hut

Barry and I put down a tarp outside with a mat, sleeping bag & liner, pillows and slept outside. I went to bed in my silk bag liner only at 8:22 with the sun still going down. It was much cooler and fresh air with a bright moon early and great stars later so I slept very well. Got up at 5:35 to 50^o (10^oC) with no dew. Ate an orange, bagel with peanut butter and a cup of mint tea.

Packed up and biked from camp at 6:42. We retraced our route 1 mile back to the road and turned right on Divide Road which we followed all day. We climbed gradually in steps for 4 or 5 miles before descending gradually for a long way. This would be the pattern for the day. The road is gravel and fairly wide about 1 ¾ good lanes wide. Our only problem is occasional wash boarding on some hills and turns with small piles of loose sand or gravel caused by car tires. I made a conscious effort to drink water as I woke up dehydrated. I managed to consume 1.75 liters which is very good for me. I munched gorp every stop so the water wouldn't sour my stomach. We stopped at 9:15 for a bagel and cheese. We came to a great overlook as we are on a 9000' plain and there is a huge 3-4000' chasm to our left with the San Juan Mountains beyond and some snow up high. We saw a pair of huge elk and later a deer. A few miles short of our hut we stopped at a campground to pump our water bottles full of ice cold water. We biked into Columbine Hut elevation 9100' at 10:55. We biked 34.3 miles in 3:28:18 hours averaging 9.9 mph reaching a maximum 34.3 mph climbing 1919' (585 m) descending 2001' in two climbs.

The temperature is 81^o (27^oC) and the barometer at 21.76" (737 mbars). Boiled water for tea and ate tortilla chips with salsa, a tortilla with pepper jack cheese, refried beans, smoked sausage and salsa. Washed off the road dust with the remaining warm water. The Charneys arrived about 1:30. As usual we have a lively discussion about the day, travel, psychiatry, dentistry or world events. We don't have much shade but there is a nice breeze most of the time. Alex made a nice pasta dinner with white sauce to go with Zach's salad. Slept outside going to bed at 8:20. Barry, Dennis and Zach joined me. Dennis did it for the running brotherly contest with Howard. Zach carved a very intricate walking stick but had to leave it behind at the hut. Howard looped a 3/8" stick and taped it with duct tape to a paper plate for a frisbee. It worked well and we threw the frisbee on several evenings.

July 11, 2003 Friday Bike Columbine Hut to Big Creek Hut

Got up at 5:25 to 45^o (7^oC). Sleeping was good just like the previous night. Packed up and ate two tortillas with pepper jack cheese, refried beans and salsa drinking a cup of mint tea and a cup of hot chocolate.

Biked from the hut at 6:30. We continued on Divide Road or highway 402. The road is up and down but not as good condition as yesterday. There is a lot of loose gravel and sand, wash boarding and narrower especially the last eight miles. We saw many cows and cow grates plus 3 deer. There are spectacular overlooks to our left of the San Juan and La Sal Mountains both with some snow at the higher elevations. We stopped at Divide Forks Campground to pump full our water bottles with cold water before biking into Tam and Deanna Graham's ranch and the Spring Creek Hut elevation 7759' at 10:52. We biked 36.6 miles in 3:25:17 averaging 10.6 mph reaching a maximum 30.5 mph climbing 1837' (560 m) descending 2723' (830 m) in 3 climbs.

The thermometer reads 92^o (33^oC) and the barometric pressure is 22.61" (766 mbars). The hut is a small log bunkhouse built in 1896 and recently restored. Found some cold Tacate beer in a cooler which was very welcome. Walked to the cement block building and took a hot shower conserving as much trucked in water as possible. Ate a banana and orange from the hut storehouse. Warmed hamburger vegetable soup and chicken rice soup with herb tea and hot chocolate for lunch. There usually is a cooling breeze through the huts two open windows under some aspen trees. The Charneys arrived at 1:30. Alex made chicken pasta, corn and peas with Zach's salad and Pinot Noir. Barry and I cleaned up the dishes and pans.

July 12, 2003 Saturday Bike Big Creek Hut to Gateway Hut

The stars are brilliant and I can see one very large star that has a faint orange glow to it. It is the planet Mars that is the closest to Earth in 50,000 years. Got up at 5:20 with a cool breeze and 42^o. Packed up returning my bedding and tarp to the hut. Consumed a tortilla with cheddar cheese and refried beans with herb tea and hot chocolate for breakfast.

Biked from the hut at 6:20 climbing for about 8 miles but the grade and surface was not that bad. We retraced yesterdays route back on Divide Road highway 402 for 3.5 miles turning right on Uranium Road. At 8.1 miles we started a long descent of over 2000'. It was beautiful with great sights and exciting riding on steep descents. On the lower half where the slopes were less steep I rounded a curve to see a long straight stretch of hard packed surface. I let the bike go reaching a good speed when I hit a long bed of sand 4-5" deep. I fish tailed fighting for control for 25 yards temporarily recovering before fish tailing badly again. I finally gained control and gave thanks because I was sure I was gone. This was the scariest moment of the entire trip. We safely reached the bottom before stopping for a snack where I saw a bear track in the dried mud. We climbed for 3.5 miles. Though steep in places the surface was good so it was not that bad.

We started our second descent of about 3500' dropping steeply up to 14% for 5.9 miles. We had great views so we stopped frequently to look and cool our brakes and wheel rims so as not to blow a tire. The slope was very steep with the very narrow road being carved on the side of the mountain and the surface constantly changed from very rocky to deep sand to deep gravel to a graded surface of loose material. It was very anxious, tense and difficult riding your bakes constantly. When I pumped



the brakes I accelerated rapidly and had difficulty controlling the bike. This was the most nervous section of biking on the trip. At one point I stopped on a curve and Barry following dropped into deep sand falling and rolling over but okay. I came off my bike 3-4 times but managed to land on my feet. We finally reached the paved highway US-141 and rolled down into Gateway population 50.

At 11:15 we stopped at the Gateway Motel and Cafe in 92^o (33^oC). The cafe is cool and Cherie, Sharon and Brenda Powell originally from Wisconsin are very friendly. Cherie and later her husband Dan invited all of us to their house for their daughters birthday party and to use their swimming pool. I ate a chicken burrito (outstanding), blueberry pie with ice cream and ice tea for $11.67 including tip. We rented air conditioned room 4 for $35 and showered. The Charneys rolled in at 1:30 all in good shape. Zach had a small brush burn on his chest. We biked 31.5 miles in 3:44:40 hours averaging 8.4 miles per hour reaching a maximum 25.0 mph climbing 2641' (805 m) descending 5938' (1810 m) with 2 climbs. At 6:00 we went to the cafe with the Charneys for supper served family style. We had a large salad with homemade feta cheese (thanks Cherie), large baked potato, 12 ounce NY strip steaks, green beans and apple strudel with ice cream for $12. It was very good and we couldn't eat it all. Sharon packed us a cream cheese bagel, orange juice and milk in a cooler for breakfast. Cherie will deliver our lunch of ham and cheese sandwich on the trail tomorrow as she shuttles our panniers to the La Sal Hut. Everything including half the room came to $45 including tip. Incredible!

I am exhilarated by today's descent and confident despite tomorrow being our hardest day with a climb of 4000'. I have climbed more than that in a day so I will stick with it until it is finished.

July 13, 2003 Sunday Bike Gateway Hut to La Sal Hut

It was 82^o (28^oC) in our room when we went to bed at 8:30. The air conditioning put out cool air but you had to stand in front of it to feel anything. We opened our door and window after dark and it finally cooled down to about 60^o around 11:00 so we could sleep. Got up at 5:00 and drank the orange juice, milk and ate the bagel with cream cheese from the cooler in room 2. They also gave us apples.

Barry and I biked from the motel at 5:42 through town about ½ mile before crossing the Delores River. We soon turned right up John Brown Canyon off the pavement and started climbing. The canyon is very narrow with high red bluffs on each side. The incline kept increasing as we ascended in the shade. We emerged from the narrow canyon to our first switchback climbed up a ¼ mile 20% grade along the bluff wall. After a brief respite with the grade down to 10-12% we climbed another 1/8 mile at 19% grade. We came to a plain continuing to climb at a much more gradual grade.

We took a break near the Utah state line when Cherie's husband Dan arrived in his four wheel drive truck with our lunches. We paid him $7.50 for shuttling our bags to La Sal Hut. We crossed into Utah and continued up and down. We saw the road going over a high ridge so we stopped at the bottom at 18 miles and ate our ham & cheese sandwiches. The climb though tough was not as bad as it looked so we were soon descending. We turned left into La Sal Hut 8200' elevation and 400' from the road at 10:45. We biked 21.8 miles in 3:45:01 hours averaging 5.6 mph reaching a maximum 27.1 mph ascending 4396' (1340 m) descending 1197' (365 m) in two climbs.

Ate a can of peaches, drank two cool Tacate beers and a cup of Tang. Loaded the panniers on my bike and washed up. There is no shade outside the hut and it is 90^o and rising. The Charneys arrived at 12:25. Alex made chicken salad sandwiches for lunch. We hunkered down becoming almost comatose as the afternoon wore on and the temperature rose. I am thankful I'm not out biking in this heat. I joked about the hut stocker showing up with ice. The odds jumped wildly from 100% to 0% as time passed. About 5:00 Greg Randolph showed up in a truck with a trailer loaded with ice, cold Singletrack beer, cool water, etc. We built a fire in a trash can lid and let it burn down until we had good hot coals. Greg grilled several huge steaks while Zach made a large salad and Alex made mashed potatoes and corn with peas. Greg, Dennis, Alex, Howard, Zach, Barry and I feasted in the pleasant evening breeze. We finished in time for Barry and I to clean up before dark. We got to bed well after 9:00 with Greg and his big friendly golden retriever Shiner guarding against bears that showed up here yesterday morning.

Greg was on the 1996 US Olympic cycling team with Lance Armstrong and Tyler Hamilton. He was a sprinter and climber. Greg was also a professional mountain bike racer for 6 years with the GT and Tomac teams. He is married with a small daughter. He was also an angel of mercy this evening.

July 14, 2003 Monday Bike La Sal Hut to Moab, Utah

It cooled down nicely to 52^o so I slept well. We had a full moon and good stars after the moon went down. I could see the planet Mars again which was very bright, large and a dull orange. Got up at 5:30 and quickly packed up. The Charneys were up and there was a little excitement in the air as this is our last day. I ate a bagel and drank a cup of tea. I said good-bye to everyone and biked from the hut at 6:22. Barry and I climbed a couple of miles and the road became paved. Shortly we started descending and we could let it go reaching 43.0 mph. We had great views from the start of a huge valley rimmed in high red bluffs and the Fisher Towers, rock spires, in the bottom. We stopped several times to drink, enjoy the scenery and take pictures. At 8 miles we turned left and climbed 5.5 miles before turning right on Sand Flats Road where we descended all the way to Moab. The gravel road wasn't too bad for a few miles but deteriorated into a mix of incredibly rocky sections and 6-8" deep sand beds. Once I stopped on a flat bed of rock and got a running start at the sand pit shifting into my 11 gear as I hit the sand. I stopped immediately with my rear wheel barely getting into the sand. We walked through the pit and all future pits. We struggled through about 6 miles of this descending down the canyon wall. We finally reached a hardpacked smooth road so we started descending really fast. The road eventually became paved as we descended into Slick Rock Domes and past the famous trail of the same name. We descended all the way into Moab and checked into room 110 at the Days Inn for $134.70 for two nights at 11:24. The temperature is over 100^o (38^oC). I took the panniers and rack bag off my bike and continued to the Colorado River and my car arriving at 11:44. I broke my bike down and loaded it in the trunk then drove back to the motel by 12:00. I biked 40.1 miles in 4:09:26 hours averaging 9.6 mph reaching a maximum 43.0 mph climbing 2575' (785 m) descending 6348' (1935 m) in 3 climbs over 5:19 hours.

I took a luxurious shower and we drove to the Moab Brewery for lunch with a coupon from the motel for free nachos. A pitcher of Dead Horse Ale was $6, the nachos were the best I have ever had and the mushroom Swiss hamburger with onion rings were superb. Our bill was $24.56 including tip. It is 114^o (46^oC) so touching the car burns the skin. We spent the afternoon in our cool air conditioned room drinking ice water till I floated. At 7:00 we drove back to the Moab Brewery for supper. I had blackened mahi mahi, carrots, potatoes, salad, bread, ice cream and ice tea for $18.01 including tip. Everything was excellent.

July 15, 2003 Tuesday Visit Arches National Park

Got up at 6:00 and ate an English muffin, banana and ½ Danish at the motel. Drove across the street for a pint of milk for $1.17. Drove north on US-191 about 5 miles entering Arches National Park. There were no attendants nor brochures. Drove to the north end of the park and walked about 4 miles to see 6 arches including the famous Landscape Arch. We worked our way back towards the entrance seeing many arches, stacks, walls, etc. Got back to Moab about 11:00 making many stops before lunch at the Moab Brewery. Anne, a rock climber, was our waitress again and I had two pints of Dead Horse Ale (3.2% by Utah law),











a chicken burrito with beans and rice also got a Moab Brewery glass for $16.35 including tip. Again we spent the afternoon in our air conditioned room with the temperature over 100^o. The TV weatherman promised a cooling down to the 90s in a couple of days. At 5:15 drove to the Moab Brewery for a pint of Dead Horse Ale, salad, bread, potatoes, carrots and ice cream for $21.97 including tip for Michele.

July 16, 2003 Wednesday Drive Moab to Kansas City, Kansas

Got up at 3:00 and drove from the motel at 3:22. Drove through the high mountains stopping in Eagle at Burger King for a sausage and egg biscuit and milk for $4.23. Exited the mountains into Denver and stopped for 12.5 gallons of gas at $18.00. Drove out into the hot plains stopping in Burlington, Colorado at a Subway for a 6" Italian BMT sub, chips and lemonade for $5.44. Also had a butter pecan ice cream cone for $1.77. Crossed into Kansas and went the length of the turnpike for $1.85. Stopped at 5:57 in Kansas City, Kansas at the American Motel room 4204 for $45.26. We drove 962.6 miles. Went to Cracker Barrel for ice tea, chicken, dumplings, mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuits, and peach cobbler with ice cream.

July 17, 2003 Thursday Drive Kansas City, KS to Zanesville, OH

Got up at 4:45 and left at 5:10. Crossed into Missouri passing through a brilliant lightening storm and deluge for about 20 minutes. Stopped in St. Charles, Missouri for 12.2 gallons of gas for $17.30. Crossed the Mississippi River and stopped in Illinois at a Subway for the usual for $5.17. Took the Indianapolis, Indiana beltway getting hung up in traffic and almost rear ended by a car sliding out of control. Gassed up in Cloverdale, Ohio with 12.4 gallons at $17.75. Checked into the Zanesville, Ohio Travelodge room 205 for $61.29 at 6:30 after driving 875 miles. Went to the Tumbleweed for white chili, enchilada, burrito, Mexican roll, taco, beans, rice, ice cream and a Killians 23 ounce.

July 18, 2003 Friday Drive Zanesville, OH to Columbia, MD

Got up and drove from the motel at 5:15. Stopped at McDonalds in Morgantown, West Virginia for two breakfast burritos and a milk for $3.79. We cruised into Columbia and a woman flagged me down because my right front tire was flat and I didn't even know it. It had a 4" gash near the rim on the inside probably an old cut because I didn't hit anything on this trip. Dropped Barry off and arrived home at 11:45 after 375 miles. Filled the empty tank with 13.1 gallons for $20. I drove 4318 miles averaging 34.1 miles per gallon.