We're here. We're alive. We have stories already.

Hey folks - we're back on track! This post may be long and back and forth but much has happened since Norman, Iowa.
We got out on time from Norman, Iowa and had a pretty good run for awhile across the state, but ran into some heavy winds in Nebraska which made it nearly impossible for Ralf to keep towing his YJ behind the Grand Cherokee. So, the YJ was de-trailered and Cameron got behind the wheel to drive her and we continued to head west. Much better for everyone and we started to make up time.
We fueled up again right before the Nebraska/Colorado state line and entered with full tanks and ready to get past Denver. Good thing we filled up. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, but open cow fields for the first 100 km's or so into the state. Sure, there are signs for places but those signs also include "No Services" with the signs. When people disappear, they are between the Nebraska/Colorado state line and the first resemblance of an actual town in Colorado.
We decided that we'd put in a big day to get as far as we could to make Sunday a shorter ride into Moab. That meant getting thru Denver and into the mountains. At night. Then finding a place to stay. We managed, but not without some trouble. Like Jeeps losing power in higher altitudes, among other things. We made it to Idaho Springs and pulled into the first place we saw.
Our accomodations in Idaho Springs, Colorado last night were less than favourable. The earlier comment about chalk-outlined-bodies was not far off. We chucked our gear into the "room" then went for some great BBQ. When we came back to the "room", we walked in and I said to Marc, and I quote, "is that blood?". We slept in our sleeping bags, on top of the beds.
Well - gonna run for now, got a big day tomorrow. We'll catch this thing up manana and post some pics and finish the story about getting here.

Stay tuned - we hit the trails in the morning.

Life is good.

The Thorup Brothers.