One last note about Gillette before we move on: the convention grounds had hosted the National High School Rodeo championships 10 days before we got there, and a large hog sale seven days before. All well and good, except for the flies that were left behind. The day we arrived was hot, and we were dry camping that first day, so no air conditioning. We put the canopy out and were trying to have lunch in the shade, except for the swarms of flies. At one point there must have been 20 on Leila’s foot…we got an appreciation for how the Egyptians must have felt during the Biblical plagues.

Today’s drive was, for now, the last of our mountain driving (at least until we head for home). The roads were easy to drive, but we found ourselves in the midst of thunderstorms…literally. There was lightning in every direction. The rain wasn’t too hard until it was, and no hail thankfully. While “enjoying’ the weather one windshield wiper came unmoored; fortunately it did not break or fly away, but we were able to stop and get it remounted.

Tonight we are parked at a Harvest Host site just outside of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Our host has a farm growing vegetables for farmer’s markets; we bought some fresh veggies that will taste pretty good over the next few days. There’s more lightning tonight, but now that’s calmed down.

Tomorrow takes us first to Scotts Bluff National Monument, then to North Platt for the night. More then…