Summer 2026: Part 1- Getting to Denver

 This summer's road trip is broken down into 5 distinct parts- this is Part 1- Getting to Denver. 

This will be my 3rd BIG roadtrip in 5 years. I've found myself in road trips and each one was an important growth experience.  My 1st roadtrip was finding myself after the pandemic, the 2nd was loving myself through a divorce and this one is about moving forward. I am in a place where I know I'm okay on my own. A relationship would be nice if its uplifting, fulfilling and enriching, but I can lift myself up, fulfill and enrich my own life and for right now that feels pretty good. 

Anyway here is part 1 all 1400 or so miles of it. 

The stops of this leg are: 

Hermiston, OR -   I tried to do activities on my way out to stop number 1 unfortunately I didn't have much success.  Rain stopped any hikes on the Western side of the mountain, and my 2nd attempt at going to the Yakima Cultural Center failed as they were "out to lunch" for an unknown duration of time and it was too hot to stay more than the 30 minute I already waited. 

I was able to get some good Mexican pastries at El Padrino in Toppenish-if you're driving through this place is worth the stop.  

Made it to my hotel around check in and relaxed with some great courses and time to color.  Lunch today was a turkey wrap I made outside of Toppenish and Udon I made in my hotel room so an affordable day overall.

Comfort Inn Hermiston Quiet room. Clean.  $126 for the night, but it was the best option for me for this night. They could stand to power wash the outside of the windows but no issues inside. Sheets were a little itchy but I slept fine. Continental Breakfast was solid Choice of waffles, several types of yogurt, muffins, toast, eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy and a selection of fruit. 

Garden City, ID  I did get a few activities into this drive today, even if it was another grey dreary driving day. I did a quick stop just down the road from Hermiston in Pendleton at the woolen mill. This bit of Americana is a required stop if you're driving through, and their factory seconds are a great spot for a good deal. I didn't do a tour this time, but I strongly recommend you do if you've never been before.  I got back on the road for another 90 minutes down to Baker City, OR and the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center - There was a short hike (About 3 miles) that I had wanted to do, but 1) cold 2) rain and 3) new view as a result of #2 I skipped the hike and just did the museum portion.  The Interpretive center is well put together, make sure to grab your trail passport to venture down the trail as an emigrant who's documented trail diaries have help build out the museum. I'm glad to say I did survive the trail. 

Back on the highway to my home for the night in a quaint AirBnb here in Idaho. I may be in Idaho but this studio is 100% Denver Broncos themed. The bed is very comfortable as are the pillows. You can hear the owners of the home, but once I put in headphones it didn't bother me. 

Also this place has super late check in and check out but honestly it was fine. I didn't get into town until after 5 so that check in time wasn't a big deal but it was glorious to have a day where sleeping in was my job. I finally took a shower around 11:15 and left around noon.  It was a steal of a deal at under $80 for the night and well worth the price, I would stay here again. 

Ogden, UT  On my way to Ogden I stopped at Shoshone Falls for a quick walk and a nice place to eat lunch. This time of year is when the water levels should be peak, but instead we had low water levels today which does not inspire confidence in me for this years already started wild fire season.   After the falls I made my way down to Ogden, was very grateful for the strangest gas station I've ever been to- And I've driven route 66...but it served it's purpose of keeping me on the road to which I am grateful.  Note to self- service stations are REALLY FAR APART in Idaho. But I made it safely to Ogden around dinner and decided to go out tonight.  All my meals thus far have either been hotel breakfast or me making wraps for lunch and udon for dinner. I needed a break. So I had a really good pizza and beer at Slack Water Pizza. After dinner I took in downtown Ogden which is actually really quaint. Older buildings, but lots of small businesses which I appreciate. Also they have all these painted horses around town, in much the same way Seattle did pigs on parade in the early 2000s. (Honestly I think they need to bring that fund raiser back). 

The hotel for Ogden is Sleep Inn. I paid $82 for this room for the night and honestly It's nicer than I expected for that rate. The room is basic, but meets my needs, though the provided breakfast wasn't in. Everything was sitting in vats of grease and it all look unappealing. So Protein shake it is.

Rawlins, WY  Didnt sleep well in Ogden, woke up early and hit the road.  Got to Evanston before my tour of the Round House, so I got a pretty good Latte and overpriced pastry from a local shop and walked around main street before heading to my tour.  The tour itself was short and sweet but honestly a great get out of the car and stretch your legs activity. My tour was just under 40 minutes but if we'd had access to the other building it probably would have been closer to an hour. After the tour I did some more walking around town to get myself to a little over a mile before getting back in the car.  I did have to stop about halfway between Evanston and Rawlins to take a quick cat nap and pick up some iced coffee because falling asleep at the wheel is not on my bingo card for this trip (or ever).  

I got into Rawlins about an hour before my check in time so I parked in their downtown area and did another walk about. Honestly today was an exhaustive drive so all I really wanted to do was cur up in bed in my air conditioned unit.   My Airbnb  was a small twin bed studio with a nice bathroom. I paid $94 for this unit for the night. I do think their checkin/out times are out of whack.  I couldn't check in til 4pm but have to be out by 10am tomorrow.  I have a full day so its not a huge deal, but I do think it's a little outside what's reasonable. If you are a heavy sleeper and traveling solo this is a great deal, I am a light sleeper so this was rough for me. 

Lakewood, CO Another rough night sleep in Rawlins, lead to a very early morning and an hour drive down to Saratoga, WY to relax in Hobo Hot Springs. This free always open hot spring boasts 3 pools.  I couldn't even consider getting in the small rock one- way to hot, yo could see the steam coming off it. The larger pool it was connected to was also hot, but literally melted the stress, tightness and pain out of my shoulders and back. I could stand about 5 minutes.  The other hour of my time there was spent in the smaller pool which probably was around 98-100 degrees Fahrenheit. 

After the hot springs, I got on the road to Laramie.  I took 130 through Medicine Bow National Forest.  The drive was beautiful and I took several opportunities to get out of the car, walk around and enjoy nature. I would definitely consider camping here in the future, absolutely beautiful.  Also if I ever need to drive through southern WY again I will take 130 over 80 every time. 

Once out of the forest, I stopped at the University of Wyoming. I visited the Matthew Shepard Memorial and walked around the campus. 

After Laramie, I traveled to Cheyenne as the final stop in Wyoming. I toured their railway museum- I am not your stereotypical Autistic train lover, but I find them interesting enough to justify 2 train related tours on the road trip- make of that what you will. I walked from the train depot down to the capital before starting my drive to Denver. 

 The drive said 1 hour and 50 minutes when I started, it ended up taking over 3.  I saw more police and accidents in the Greater Denver Metro than I did in the 1400 miles it took to get here.  I am glad that after tomorrow I get to park my car for a few days and not have to drive, I'm okay with taking a break. But for tonight I stayed at the Spark by Hilton for $129. 

The reason I stayed in Lakewood, was to have easy access to Red Rocks for a hike before arriving to NEA on the 2nd for a start on the 3rd.  

The hotel was fine-walls were just about paper thin- I know this because the person in the next room snores. But I was able to get to sleep with some green noise on my phone (like white noise but think nature instead of a fan). I was able to do what I wanted to though which was take a nike in Red Rocks. 

It was hot and I felt every ounce as un athletic as I know I am, but it was good to get out and it was beautiful.