We arrived late enough last night that it was hard to see the surroundings, but in the morning it was far more clear how amazing the surrounding landscape was, so we took a few pictures after breakfast. The region definitely has that rustic, rural, Old West feel.

We packed up and checked out and drove east, but before we got far we saw something odd and had to spin back around to see it again.

Out in the middle of a field of golden grass bounded by barbed wire was a Bob's Big Boy statue, just like one of those in front of every franchise of that defunct restaurant chain.

We looked it up later on the Internet, and there is no explanation for why it is there. It is clearly no accident, perfectly situated on a purpose-built pedestal so it can be seen over the grass from the road. It's a lonely reminder of what that chain once was, but in a place nowhere near a population, much less any similar proprietorship.

Near the summit of our drive, however, miles of major road construction began. They demolished the old road, apparently to create a new higher road to better withstand flooding, leaving a watered dirt road in its place. We had to wait for the guide truck before we could proceed at 15 mph, so this delayed our travel until nearly Burgess Junction. More dirt on my car! My family napped through most of this. After Burgess, the drive was smooth sailing without interruption in beautiful dense forest covering the mountainside.

Sand Turn Interpretive Site

At the sign near the east entrance (see top image of page), a sign was posted discussing clear evidence of ancient geologic uplift and folding of the sedimentary rock.

Zipping down the switchbacks was fun, and soon we crossed the Forest boundary and descended, passed through the small town of Dayton before getting on I-90 briefly. Time Event Range Remaining 12:05 pm Departed Shell Falls 120 1:54 pm Arrive Sheridan Supercharger 65 Range/Distance ratio: 0.8 Conditions: Uphill, several miles of gravel road and road construction, then downhill, 97°F

Although Best Western hosted this Supercharger, we ate lunch at Wyoming's Rib and Chop House up the street. Remember the last time we used a Supercharger was in Idaho four days and 758 miles ago.

Cost to Charge: $0

Time Event Range Remaining 2:51 pm Departed Sheridan 214 4:27 pm Arrive Gillette Supercharger 79 Range/Distance ratio: 1.29 Conditions: Highway, fast From here it a simple highway drive on I-90. After we arrived in Gillette and checked into the Hampton Inn I plugged the car into the Supercharger, but after we unpacked our things in the room we drove down the road to dinner.

When we returned I Supercharged to 90% then unplugged so that it wouldn't be idle at night, despite no other Tesla's being around. My plan was, in the morning, plug the car back in before breakfast to top off the battery.

Cost to Charge: $0