We spent a night in Howard, Colorado with my friends Brit and AJ, taking it easy after the wet nights in the mountains. Laundry, walking the dogs, all six at that point, and sitting on their porch overlooking the Arkansas river and BLM land opposite. Just what I needed.

By mid-morning I was anxious to keep traveling, so with yet one more cup of coffee, we took US50 West towards Montrose. My plan was to cut across country to find my way to Ouray, CO. I noticed a county road south of Cimarron that would take us through the mountains, past a reservoir (always a good thing), and even offered a NF campground.