Day 40: Pueblo, CO to Westcliffe, CO

Total Distance: 62.9 mi
Moving Avg: 7.8 mph
Moving Time: 8:02

Oof! I knew today was going to be a very hard day from the
beginning. That didn't stop it from being a very hard day. This day
may very well be the hardest I will have by some metrics. It was a
full length day, and had 6000' of climbing, headwinds, and rain. Ouch!

This morning I got a later than planned but earlier than usual
start. I stopped at the UPS store and had my laptop sent to my Mom's
lab where she will deal. Hopefully I can get it back by next
weekend. But honestly, the 5lbs less I had to carry today did
help. Every pound is noticeable. 

So yeah, I climbed today. 4500' up, for a total of 6000' of
climbing. It hurt. And about 1/2 way through, it started to rain. I
was eying ditches left and right. I felt about as doomed as on the way
to Emporia. This time, however, the thunderstorm did not help me. But
somehow, I came through. I kept reminding myself how good the warm bed
would feel at the end of the day, how much sleeping in a ditch would
suck. It worked: I made it to Westcliffe.

The kicker was it is rodeo weekend in Westcliffe. Everything was
booked. Everything. Not a bed in town. And to top it off, it was
getting dark. I rushed to a campground and set up my tent in the
failing light. I had to forgo a warm dinner to make it to the
campground in time, of course. Beef jerky and pop tarts. Yum!

The one up side: the Wet Mountain Valley is FUCKING AMAZING! So
beautiful! It took my breath away. And yes I did get photos =)