Sunday 25 November - Grand Junction to Louisville (Denver)

Great night's sleep for all in very quiet rooms last night. Continental breakfast before heading off - Alison took her tube of Vegemite to the breakfast room, Philip astonished Jenny by having toasted English muffins spread with peanut paste and topped with sliced boiled egg. Jenny meanwhile let herself be convinced by the attendant that she should forsake the sugar free syrup on her waffle and have the real Log Cabin syrup and worry about the calories when she isn't on vacation.

Finally experienced a major change in landscape for much of today's drive with Philip at the wheel.

Many miles driving along beside the Colorado River which in places was iced over.

Up to our highest point so far over 11,000 feet and through ski towns including Vail where Jenny was able to see the ski runs on the side of the valley with skiers hurtling down what we are sure would have been fairly icy slopes.

On the way down into Denver we passed Buffalo Bill's grave site and a field of grazing bison.

Louisville where we are staying tonight is on the north western outskirts of Denver and we had some tense moments driving in circles thanks to Chuck's (the Navman) instructions. Then he finally got us to our destination but for the life of us we could not see a Best Western sign. There was La Quinta, Marriott and a number of others. Philip spotted a business park entry sign and his memory jumped to attention. He remembered reading a review for the Best Western which said that it was very quiet especially on weekends as it was hidden in a business park and the signage was poor. Well we did find it and when Philip said to the guy on the front desk, we had great trouble finding this establishment - the response was "Well you are here now so you must have found it." Philip wasn't feeling the love!

We have visited a local supermarket (Albertsons) and purchased sustenance. Philip and Alison are having bbq chicken and taffy apple salad after an entree of fresh guacamole with corn chips while Jenny is having microwaved clam chowder and we will all finish with Haagen Dazs ice-cream.

Philip could not remember why he had chosen Laramie in Wyoming as our next destination so after deliberations this afternoon we have now changed the route for tomorrow and will head to Wheatland to the north of Laramie and this will give us a chance to visit historic Fort Laramie.