We skipped downtown Denver and we started to climb immediately. The old German engine gasped as we ascended into northwest Denver at dark. We avoided the city, and Route 76 turned into Route 70. We still couldn't make out the mountains too well, These Rockies really start to ascend 20 miles west of Denver.
We were somewhere west of Golden, maybe even to Idaho Springs, and then stopped at a roadhouse that had pitchers of beer and burgers. It was a cool place, it had deer heads and antlers on the wall, and some kind of wood paneling. It had a ski lodge feel too it, but on a spring night. I wish could have have stayed here for a few days, but it was impossible. We were making great time now. as this ride going all the way.
We had 3-4 pitchers of Coors. Maybe 5-6, and we staggered to the car, it was Bob's turn to drive. Kenny and I jostled for the rear seat, and I got in first. Farley kept driving into the night. Something odd happened near midnight. Bob fell asleep at the wheel and gently came to rest on the side of a shoulder.
We both woke up and asked: "Why did you stop?" Bob was confused, and he said he was falling asleep, He couldn't keep his eyes open or something. We got out and used the facilities, and then noticed we were very near the end of a large mountainous drop off, and there wasn't any guard rail here either. Jeez.
"Well, we'll stay here tonite" said Kenny, We all fell asleep in the car. When we awoke, We started again and signs said we were a few miles near Grand Junction. The other two guys had hot coffee at a rest stop, and I had a hot chocolate. Grand Junction looked like a cool place, but it was gas and go. We crossed into Utah around 10 AM.
I got to take the wheel (but not the shifter) for the next leg. I took us into Green River, and boy was this pretty country. We pulled into a gas station in the middle of no where, and there was a blond, blue eyed girl working the register at this gas station I fell in love with.. She had a big smile, wore boots and jeans, and behind her in the distance were a few snow covered mountains.
Some unknown territory in my head was sending out signals like: stay here, settle down, this is it. I clearly heard those signals, but suppressed that "love at first sight" biological shout and got back in the car smiling. Kenny shifted me back into second, third and fourth gear, and we roared into a a new highway Southeast Route 15
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