I am exhausted! Was up early this morning with Dave, Jessie, and Heather from Canyonlands Field Institute visiting many inspiring petroglyphs and pictogragh sites in Moab. Then I went hiking in Arches National Park all afternoon.  I just topped up the car and will now get some rest.  It is 9pm on Friday.  Frugal Tesla

I am in Moab, Utah and it is truly a marvel and a place for praising God for all this glory!  I am going to take some time here to pray and connect with nature. Also, I plan to visit some petroglyph sites. If I am still here on Saturday, maybe I will go horseback riding too since this is where many cowboy movies were filmed. In order to do all of this (and hike in Arches National Park) I may pause my blog entries for a day or two.  Be patient and I will do my best to catch you all up with my adventures.  Frugal Tesla

I arrived in Silverthorne, CO at 6:55pm after crawling past the  Denver area in rush hour traffic. The slow pace saved a lot of energy because I still had 69 range left!  I did notice at the top of the grade that the range did drop to 60, but the downhill gave back 9 miles. My odometer was 22,030 so I officially passed the 7,000 mile mark for this roundtrip adventure. The temp was 67 degrees.

At one of the 8 superchargers was a red 85kw Tesla. Soon Mike walked up and explained that he was from further south in Colorado and just received the car 3 weeks ago. Next, Dawn and Andrew arrived in their blue P85 Tesla. Their car is named Nkyta, and it has no 85 numbering on it… another “anonymous” P85.  They were from Redwood City, CA and were on their way to Andrew’s high school reunion in Madison, WI.

They all departed after a quick charge and I remained behind trying to catch up on email, phone calls, and the neglected blog posts! I finally left at 8:45pm with 205 range. Thus, I was driving to Glenwood Springs in the dark.  But since my Eastbound journey was by day, the July blog post was descriptive of the area.

I arrived in Glenwood Springs at 10:45pm with a whopping 151 range remaining.  The odometer was 22,122 and temp at 68 degrees. I did notice that the temp was in the mid fifties while driving past the higher elevation at Vail. I charged to 204 and left at 11:20pm to get some rest. Frugal Tesla

NOTE: Updated on Saturday August 9, 2014 from Blanding, Utah. These events took place on August 6th. Frugal Tesla

I headed south on 85 from the Meriden Rest stop and made my way via Yellowstone Road to Dell Range Blvd and the Frontier Mall in Cheyenne, WY.  It was difficult to find the superchargers because they were surrounded by a plethora of 5th wheelers.  Not only did they make access difficult, but they coned off the entry point so that I had to drive into the parking lot lane in the wrong direction according to the lane arrows.  These looked like new camper trailers for sale, so why they chose this specific location to set up for a showroom was weird to me.  The parking lot had plenty of other areas that would not be a huge inconvenience to the Tesla owners.

I arrived at 8:23am with 74 range remaining with odometer at 21,853 and temp of 66 degrees. Charging was complete at 10:09am with max range of 205. While charging, I did a few searches on the internet, trying to track down an old friend who had moved to Wyoming many years ago. They might live in Afton which I discovered is too far across the state for this trip. I checked in with a few Tesla owners that I met on my Eastbound trip (Mark and Terry, and the family from Ft Collins, CO). Finally, I looked up the location of the train museum in Cheyenne which was recommended by Robert,  a friend from CA.

I drove to the Union Pacific Cheyenne Depot Museum of Trains  which is open weekdays from 9am to 6pm for $8 per adult. I enjoyed all of the historical displays and models of trains. The upstairs scale model train was spectacular in all of the details. One volunteer challenged me to find the 4 hidden cats in the tiny landscapes. I was disappointed to only find 2 cats and one dog, but then the volunteer admitted that he had only managed to find 1 of the cats!  I met another volunteer named Terl, and he suggested that I take a ride on the train when passing through Georgetown, CO. I will definitely plan on that for my return trip to Colorado someday.  My big sadness came when I found out that there were no full scale older trains to be seen here, except during Memorial Day weekend.  Luckily, another man at the museum told me that the old trains might be seen from the bridge since they open the big doors in the storage building on hot days.  I walked to the top of the bridge and was so thrilled to catch a glimpse of “Big Boy”, the old black train. With my odometer at 21,857 and range 204 and temp at 79 degrees, I had parked at a 2 hour street parking space from 10:31am and left at 12:15pm.

I entered Colorado and smiled at the “Welcome to Colorful Colorado” sign as I set my course for Fort Collins. Khalid had given me excellent directions to the family home where I was invited to top up my charge. I arrived at 1:07pm with 165 range and odometer at 21,906 with temp of 84 degrees. It was really fun to see 3 Tesla Model S cars at one home, theirs red and white and mine brown, as we plugged in my car. When I departed at 4pm, I had 204 range which was plenty for the drive to Silverthorne. The 3 hours visit went surprisingly quickly as I was treated to the finest hospitality. From the delicious fresh cut mango, the almond cookies, and an exoticly tasty cardamom cookie to the collection of delectible snacks and drinks for the road, I will be forever grateful. And, getting to see the model airplanes built by young Zan (and discover our shared interest in origami) will be treasures that I keep always.  Thanks again, and off to Silverthorne! Frugal Tesla

Leaving Hot Springs, SD at 4:40pm, I drove on 18 W into Wyoming and headed onto 85 S at 5:30pm with 106 range and odometer at 21,666. I arrived in Lusk at 6:17pm with 50 range remaining and odometer at 21,712 with temp at 64 degrees.  I would have jumped out of the car immediately after plugging in, but the sounds of thunder kept me in the car. With weather changing quickly around here, it seemed to be nicer out when two men came up to ask about the Tesla. I met Ron and Paul from Ames, Iowa. They were part of the 850,000 participants at the Sturgis, SD Biker Rally.  That explains why I have seen countless motorcycles all around!!  I stopped inside the Covered Wagon Motel office where I met Nicole and asked her to thank Randy for his very helpful advice to me when I was Eastbound. After a quick restroom stop I returned to the car and at 8pm there was a loud thunderclap.

I left Lusk at 8:15pm with 204 range on 85 S and drove through on and off rain for about 60 miles into Torrington, WY. Though it was dark, I could not help but feel like a small child giddy with excitement as I drove alongside a huge train.  But, this euphoria subsided after I began to think how long I would have to wait at the railway crossing to head south to Cheyenne.  Luckily, there was a giant overpass that routed me over the train tracks. This overpass did not appear on my map screen, so it was funny to see the car red triangle on the map crossing over the train tracks and roadways via the “imaginary” overpass.

I continued south on 85 until I reached a rest stop. After all of the swimming and activities of the day, I was ready to turn in early.  About 40 miles north of Cheyenne is the Meriden Rest Area.  I arrived at 10:11pm with 21,809 odometer, 123 range, and temp at 62 degrees.  I woke up once at 5 am, then slept a bit more until 7:13am.  After cleaning up in the restroom, shooting some photos, and taking my morning vitamins, I left for Cheyenne at 7:27am with 122 range and temp at 64 degrees.  A Mariachi version of the song “Tequilla” was playing on the radio which helped start my morning with a laugh!  Frugal Tesla

From the Rushmore Mall in Rapid City, SD, I headed south on 79 S to 385 N to get to the town of Hot Springs, SD.  After that drive, I realize that 79 S was even nicer than 44 W that I spoke of in the previous post!  I arrived at Evans Plunge at 1:13pm with 153 range remaining, odometer at 12,616 and temp of 75 degrees. At the front desk, a most helpful Madison made sure that I would get an excellent value there. For $13.52, I had access to a small locker, went swimming in the huge indoor mineral water pool, went down the water slide, splashed down from a rope swing, relaxed in the sauna, and felt the massaging bubbles of a hot tub.  After a refreshing shower, I stopped by the front desk to thank Madison and then met two more coworkers: the gregarious Allen and one of the trusty lifeguards, Colton. We talked briefly about Tesla and this blog.  I left for the next destination at 3:05pm with 152 range and temp up to 78 degrees.

At 3:20pm I arrived at The Mammoth Site, also in Hot Springs, SD.  My range was at 149. I paid the $10 fee to experience this astounding place where Mammoth fossils are still being excavated. The site was first discovered in 1974 and volunteers continue the work daily.  The fee included a very informative tour led by Gary, and I even had a chance to visit the laboratory to see folks at work there. At 4:40pm with 146 range and temp at 82 degrees, I headed out via 18 W to 85 S to Lusk, WY.  Goodbye South Dakota.  I had tons of fun there!  Frugal Tesla

Before leaving Mitchell, SD, I checked RoadNow.com. That is the website that can locate rest areas on the interstates.  The sunset drive to Murdo was astounding… there were flashes of red and orange lightning in the southern sky which took place about every 6 seconds which continued for most of this leg of the trip. I felt like an airplane pilot who was flying past a storm.  I heard no thunder at all, so I just enjoyed the light show!

I arrived in Murdo, SD at 11:08pm with 42 range remaining. The odometer was 21,409 and temp was 71 degrees.  I purchased a few post cards in the motel lobby and was on my way at 12:10 am with 197 range. I drove 25 miles to the rest area on 90 W at mile marker 167. I woke up briefly at 5am (really 4am MDT) and went back to sleep until 7am (actually 6am MDT… but I did not realize this yet). My car was parked next to a huge RV from Pennsylvania with a generator running all night, but I was too tired to care.  I left the RV behind at 6:25 MDT with 171 range remaining and odometer at 21,434 and temp of 65 degrees.  I am off to see the Badlands!

I drove 36 miles to the exit for the Badlands through drizzle and rain. The skies were overcast and gray and it was very hazy.  I arrived at the kiosk to pay the entry fee and had to pull over to look for some cash. I was willing to pay the $15 since I had saved more than that by avoiding the toll roads in Pennsylvania!  The Badlands reminded me of giant sandcastles that we would build at the beach in New Jersey as kids. I had entered at 7:10am, so few people were around. I took some photos, did some short hiking, and went to the visitor center. It was raining steadily as I left the visitor center. It was 67 degrees, range at 127, and odometer 21,479.

By 8am I made my way to 44 W to head toward Rapid City, SD via the backroad. This was my all time favorite stretch of road on this trip.  For about 72 miles, I encountered only 3 vehicles west bound, and I slowed to let them pass. Many motorcycles and other vehicles came through in the east bound direction. The scenery was okay, but I kept thinking that with an 85 kw car and lots of extra range, the long straight stretches would be mighty tempting!  Alas, with my 60kw, I am sticking to the 65mph limit.

I arrived at the Rushmore Mall supercharger at 9:34am with odometer 21,556 and 48 range and temp 70 degrees. After making a plan for the afternoon, and typing this posting, I was fully charged to 204 and departed at 11:50am for my next South Dakota adventure.

Frugal Tesla

Before leaving Albert Lea, MN I remembered that my camera memory card was full. So I searched throughout the car to find another card with space on it. Then at 2:40pm I headed to Worthington,MN.  The drive was uneventful with a bit of rain every so often which helped clean bugs off the car.

At one point in the drive, two different SUVs passed by me (speeding). I found it funny that they were both from New Jersey.  Later, as I was driving at the speed limit through a construction zone, another SUV pulled up behind me and was stuck there since we only had one lane. When the zone ended, I surged forward to the new speed limit while moving to the right lane (to allow the SUV to speed past). But instead they drove up into my blind spot and drove there for what felt like an eternity. This actually happens a lot, since people are trying to check out the Tesla while driving adjacent to it. I am glad I resisted the urge to just drive away from them, because unlike the other 2 SUVs from NJ, this was a Minnesota Highway Patrol SUV which I only saw when they finally drove past me!!

I arrived in Worthington, MN at 4:28pm with odometer at 21,139 and temp of 82 degrees with 52 miles range remaining. I departed at 5:26pm with 183 range to get the 126 miles to Mitchell, South Dakota.

During stormy mixed with sunny weather, there can be very interesting cloud formations and beautiful sunsets. So, I tried to snap a few photos as I drove along 90 W. Since I had plenty of range left as I neared Mitchell, SD, I chose to visit the famous Corn Palace (free!) which I mentioned on my Eastward trek. I really thought the corn cob mosaics were pretty amazing.  They are made from natural corn bred for the colors (no dye is used). I asked someone to take my photo for me in a corn stalk cutout (so that my face appears in an ear of corn on the stalk)… I had to do something “corny” while I was there.  Then I was off to the supercharger.

I arrived at the Mitchell supercharger at 7:51pm with 49 range remaining and odometer at 21,268 and temp at 82 degrees. This is the charger near the Goodwill drop-off area so it is pretty quiet here. I replied to a couple of comments (one of the rangers from the Wisconsin wildlife refuge wrote in!) and typed up this posting. My next stop is Murdo, SD and then I will find a rest area.  Until tomorrow, Frugal Tesla  (Leaving Mitchell at 9:10pm with 204 range)

Last night I headed along 90 W to mile marker 22 rest area in Wisconsin arriving at 12:15am. I was up at 6:27am and out by 6:47am with odometer at 20,859 146 range and temp at 66 degrees.  I made it to the Onalaska, WI supercharger at 7:15am with odometer at 20,878 and 132 range with temp of 67 degrees. Everything seems closed since it is too early (parking lot of title company and dentist offices). Maybe the Home Depot across the street is open? I finished charging at 8am with 202 range.

While charging, I reviewed the map and noticed the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge nearby. I decided to go left on Main Street about a mile to get to 53 N to the town of Trempealeau. There I took some fun photos of the Mississippi River and the local area including the freight train that rolled by.  I spoke with Chris, a visiting cyclist from Saskatchewan who had driven with a friend for 15 hours to get to this amazing place for cycling.

Then, I  headed to 35 N to Centerville and turned left onto W Prairie Road which leads to the Refuge entrance. It was 9:07am and 73 degrees with 176 range.  I visited the Ranger Station and enjoyed meeting the rangers.  I went to the viewing overlook where I saw a white pelican, a bald eagle, and a flying crane along with countless songbirds.  There were also cool looking insects and lots of butterflies. At 11 am, after visiting there, I returned via W Prairie Road to 35 N to 54 N and onto 43 over the bridge to cross the Mississippi into Winona, MN and continued south on 43 to get back onto 90W.  During this journey through Minnesota to Albert Lea, there were intermittant torrential rains! I arrived at 1:02pm with 21,023 odometer and 46 range remaining. It was 67 degrees with light rain falling.  By 2:15pm, the rain stopped, the charging ended a while ago at 183 range, and I am finishing typing these words!  Next stop is Worthington, MN.  Frugal Tesla

I drove through horrible traffic, all stop and go, past Chicago. I stopped to view Lake Michigan in Highland Park, IL. Also at the beach there were Bobby and Zach, two ambulance drivers who had the same idea as I… to enjoy the lake view while the sun was shining.  Throughout this day there were scattered showers, so this stretch of sunshine was appreciated! Here my odometer was at 20,616 temp at 77 degrees and 90 miles of range at 4:32pm (central daylight time so I gained back an extra hour)

I exited the state of Illinois and found the Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets in Wisconsin. It was 5:36pm, 62 range remained, and odometer was 20,644 with temp of 86 degrees. I charted a course for Mauston, WI and was ready to go when a black P85+ Tesla pulled in. Paul and his kids (Will, Anna, and Grace) from Illinois were using a supercharger for the first time ever with the car that they had for about 6 months. We talked briefly and took photos of the huge rainbow that crossed the sky. I left at 7:15pm with 204 range.

I arrived in Mauston, WI at the superchargers behind Culvers at 10:25pm.  I treated myself to a small vanilla ice cream cone ($2) since they were open until 11pm.  The odometer was at 20,810 with 58 miles range remaining and temp at 73 degrees.  I reviewed directions to Onalaska, WI and typed this post. Range is at 195 and it is 11:26pm.  It is time to seek a rest stop. Until tomorrow,  Frugal Tesla