I stayed at a Cracker Barrel last night and got some much needed rest. First night at a Cracker Barrel and it was much quieter. I slept way better last night than the first night at the truck stop, but my nerves the first night probably didn’t help either!
I left Lincoln, Nebraska and drove for HOURS. I mean, I started driving around 7:45am and got to my destination around 3:45pm with a time zone change. Nebraska was a pretty boring drive on route 80. I did see a gnarly skull with horns/antlers on the side of the highway and I was half tempted to go get it and put it in a bag to bring home for Josh, but I immediately thought how judged I might be for doing that 🤣.
I also got to talk to my brother, Bucky, who lives out in California and he shared my sentiment of how boring route 80 is as he’s travelled cross country numerous times. he and his wife, Max, are about to welcome their first child in a week or so and I’m so excited for them!
There were many things I wish I could have taken photos of along the highway, but it is pretty difficult to stop quickly when you’re going 85 MPH on a two-lane highway. Nebraska is essentially all corn fields and crops along route 80. Occasionally, I saw farms with horses and cows, which really were beautiful to see. Nebraska, at least this time of year is very brown, and very dry.
I stopped in North Platte thinking that could be a cool town, but it was effectively taken over by chains and 2.5-3 star rated restaurants. It was also windy AF. The winds blew at 60 MPH pretty much all throughout Nebraska, so I had to grip and hold the steering wheel with two hands most of the way.
Also. I hit my first tumbleweed! Ok, I actually hit like 3 of them. You know those tumbleweeds you’d see in western cartoons? Yeah, they were in the road in real life blowing around and I somehow found incredible delight plowing into those twiggy tumbles.
I stopped for gas and noticed how fast the clouds were moving, which was neat.
I was originally going to go up to Cheyenne, Wyoming, but Uncle Rick and Uncle Bill (Josh’s fam) advised that Fort Collins was a much better town to visit. One of my client’s daughters lives there and goes to school there so we texted and she gave me some options around town in Fort Collins.
I checked out Lory State Park, which was beautiful.
Next, I headed into town and got food from Jay’s Bistro…known for their lobster Mac (my cousin Vivienne would be jealous! Mac n cheese is her favorite food group🤣). I got a cherry kombucha fiz cocktail, lobster Mac and honey sriracha Brussels sprouts.
Fort Collins is a cute little college town and the trees downtown sparkled with lights!
After dinner, it was dark so I made my way to a Cracker Barrel to find out it had no over night parking 😭, so I found my trusty truck stop brand and am staying the night here.
Y’all. Would you look at this immaculate bathroom at this truck stop? Holy shit, it’s nicer than some hotels.
Well, that’s just about the end to my day. It was mostly spent driving, changing routes, and finding a place to stay for the night. I’m heading to Denver & Boulder tomorrow!
Thanks for reading, and if you have any questions about car camping, or have recommendations for things to do or see, let me know! 💙
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