What a difference a year makes

 

2,000 mile trek

We completed a 2,015 mile trek.  We left the cactus flowers behind, encountered snow and deer in the Raton Pass at 7,834 feet elevation.  I'll post some additional photos in a later blog entry.

Cactus Flower - Tucson

On to Trinidad, CO where we encountered more snow and deer attempting to cross the interstate! I took over driving at the Trinidad lookout point.

Scenic stop, Trinidad, CO

"Colorful Colorado" includes the guard rails.

Colorful Colorado - Trinidad

Early Morning - at Lake Michigan

Early Sunworshippers at Warren Dunes State Park

Observations

It seems that because of higher gasoline prices, some trekkers are hunkering down.  Some of the campgrounds were very full.  We made reservations and were never turned away. Some people exhibited keen interest in our Roadtrek 210P.  I had to inform them that this model is no longer manufactured.  However, there are used Chevy based Roadtreks available:

Roadtrek International Chapter FMCA "For Sale"

One year later, gas prices are significantly higher.  Last year this trek cost us $371.02 for gasoline.  In 2022 the gas cost for the same trek is $529.80. 

That's the equivalent of dropping from 15.54 MPG for this trip to 10.88 MPG.  We encountered some disgruntled people on the trek.  I don't understand.  About 51% of the voters decided to elect a guy with mush for brains.  Why should the other 49% be upset?  Oh, it was different when Trump was elected and the other minority created a Russian hoax and attempted to impeach him.  LOL. 

This morning at breakfast, the gentleman at the table next to us was wearing this hat.  There are some really angry people out there.  I'd say, it might be prudent to remove those "Biden-Harris" bumper stickers.  But as the saying goes "You can't fix stupid":

Demanding Reparations from Biden Voters

We arrived in Michigan and the nighttime temperature was 45F and it rained and rained!  We aren't in Arizona anymore, Toto!  We pulled out the electric blanket and turned on the heat.

The sun did come out and the prediction for today was a high of 90F.  LOL.  In fact, prior to leaving AZ, the "heat index" in DuPage County, IL was 104F.  Actually less comfortable than Arizona.

Today the forecast has been revised: high of 70F and sunny.  Tomorrow 83F, sunny and partly cloudy. Low tonight 60F.  

Trip Summary:

• Average gas price, per gallon: $4.37
• Highest gasoline price, per gallon: $5.049
• Lowest gasoline price, per gallon: $3.969 at Alda, NE.
• Total Miles: 2,015.
• Trip: 15.54 MPG (see Notes 1 and 2).
• Peak speed: 80MPH (short downhill stretch)
• Interstate speeds: 65-75 MPH (we did whatever prevailing traffic was doing).

Note:  

1. I used 88 Octane for 700 miles.  This probably contributed to enhanced mileage; it is well known that ethanol in gasoline reduces the MPG.  I did this because there are portions out west where one can choose 86 or 88 octane.  87 is recommended for the Chevy 6.8L engine so I bumped up to 88. Alternately, I could have alternated 86 and 88 at fill-ups. That would have blended to 87 octane in the tank.
2. Here's an older chart based upon U.S. Department of Energy data. It provides a rough idea of the drop in fuel efficiency at higher speeds. My highway speed is usually about 70 MPH (lower in 65 MPH speed zones, etc.).  I do my best to minimize idle time, which simply wastes fuel:

(c) N. Retzke 2022