Rolling Through the Rockies: July 5

70.8 miles to Rawlins, WY.

Before leaving the ghost town of Jeffrey City we had a great breakfast in the local café. I talked to the owner who told us about when Jeffrey City was a boom town. But when the uranium mines shut down, she said it was almost overnight that everyone packed up and left. That was in the late 1970's. Today there are fewer than 50 people living in Jeffrey City. And the cafe (although the food was good and the owner was very nice) looked like it hadn't been cleaned since the 70's!! It was the dirtiest place I've ever eaten in. But it was the ONLY place to eat within 130 miles between Lander and Rawlins.

It was a good ride to Rawlins. With a little wind at our back we made good time. Not much to look at around us except endless empty land and sage brush. We got to Rawlins just as a rain storm hit and initially took shelter at a grocery store. Then rode a mile down the road but had to take shelter under a bank drive through for the next 45 minutes. After the storm we made our way to our campsite and set up our tents. Soon after we set things up another storm hit. 25 mph wind and rain. We went inside the campground laundry to hide and hope that our tents would still be there when we got out. Our weather apps said the wind and rain would not subside until well after midnight. Luckily the girl managing the campground was straightening things up before going home and found us in the laundry facility. She said there was an open cabin and asked if we wanted it. Of course we jumped at it!! Then it was a mad dash to take down our tents and transport all our stuff to the cabin in the wind and the rain. It was an adventure but we were warm and dry and happy to be there listening to the rain on the roof. All in all, an intersting day.