Eurovan Gas Mileage on June - July 2013 Road Trip

Eurovan Gas Mileage on June - July 2013 Road Trip
Date	Location	$/gallon	# gallons	$	Mileage	Delta Miles	Delta MPG	Cum Miles	Cum Gallons	Cum MPG
6/25/13	Colorado Springs, CO	3.699	15.282	56.6	135644
6/27/13	Burlington, CO	3.939	7.399	29.1	135846	202	27.3	202	7.399	27.3
6/28/13	Ogalla, NE	3.809	14.497	55.2	136044	198	13.7	400	21.896	18.3
6/30/13	Alliance, NE	3.595	9.829	35.4	136244	200	20.3	600	31.725	18.9
7/03/13	Spearfish, SD	3.549	15.775	56	136536	292	18.5	892	47.500	18.8
7/05/13	Exit 42 off I94, ND	3.799	15.822	60.1	136824	288	18.2	1180	63.322	18.6
7/07/13	New Town, ND	3.699	10.776	39.9	137036	212	19.7	1392	74.098	18.8
7/08/13	Mandan, ND	3.699	8.848	32.7	137217	181	20.5	1573	82.946	19.0
7/08/13	Glendive, MT	3.804	13.147	50.1	137416	199	15.1	1772	96.093	18.4
7/09/13	Glendive, MT	3.809	11.688	44.5	137655	239	20.4	2011	107.781	18.7
7/09/13	Gilette, WY	3.669	13.346	49	137903	248	18.6	2259	121.127	18.6
7/09/13	Fort Collins, CO	3.699	16.215	60	138205	302	18.6	2561	137.342	18.6

US Highway 385, Day Four

Left Lake McConaughy and continued north easterly on US 26.  This was a detour from US 385 per se in order to camp at Lake McConaughy. Took the time to puruse the historical markers along this stretch of highway that parallels the North Platte River and was a natural immigration route for early fur traders, Christain missionarys, the Military, Mormans, California Gold Rushers, Cattleman, Homesteaders - the usual suspects. There are not any State Parks along the section of US 385 that I bypassed.  Our destination was Chardron State Park in the Sand Hills of Nebraska.

This is the railroad tracks parallel to US 26.  Notice the ceramic railbed members and the consistent rock fill that enable the near perfect alignment of the rails and consequently the highest efficiency in carrying freight.

Narcissa is a most unusual name, but perhaps not for a massacred missionary.

Lunch stop in Bridgeport at a local Mexican restaurant that featured excellant food at cheap prices.  The place was popular with Mexican laborers as well, about 25 showed up just as we were leaving. Discovered the place using my GPS road navigator.

US 385 is locally named the Gold Rush Byway.

The Sand Hills become greener and less industrial.

US Highway 385, Day Two and Three

Camping at Lake McConaughy in Nebraska was quite a surpise.  The beaches were huge, there indeed was lots of sand, lots of room for beach camping, camping right at waters edge if you desired.  We camped at the Cottonwoods Camp ground below the dam in the shade of many cottonwood trees and grass. 

US Highway 385, Day One

To reach US 385 in Colorado, I first drove east on US 94 early in the morning of June 27, 2013.  This shot is looking back to the west.

The vehicle for the trip was the trusty 1995 I-5 cylinder auto transmission VW Eurovan Camper, Sharon.

How about government buildings that get better with age and  never die; preserved at taxpayers expense. 

A gas stop named for a best friend, ha!

The beginning of US 385, also named the High Plains Highway as it proceeds northerly in this region of far Eastern Colorado.

I wondered if this dome hid a missile and then I concluded that the lack of military security meant no.  Perhaps an oil storage tank?  If so, compliments the industrial nature of US 385 in this region.



The land of 4-H clubs along Highway US-385 exhibiting its agro-industrial nature.

This blog editor really sucks!

More agro-industrial stretch of US 385, heavily patched to maintain usability.



Far Eastern Community, Holyoke.

Geocaching at the Julesberg Cemetary.

At peace atop a hill, notice age difference.

Julesberg City Park, a nice shady lunch break.

First view of Lake McCaughny (pronunciation?)

Another first view

The official details on the lake.

Campsite below the dam of Lake McCoughny at the Cottonwoods Campground.  We departed from US385 in order to camp here.  There is not much camping along US 385 in Colorado and pan handle Nebraska.  So I changed the rules, temporarily.  Arriving late on Thursday afternoon, ended staying three nights.  Friday was spent exploring the lake's beaches and by then it was too late to drive on.  Especailly not wanting to find a camping spot on a Saturday.  Ending staying thee nights.