Hoosier Pass Continental Divide, Colorado Rt. 9, alt. 11,539 feet

Hey there, fellow wanderers! It’s us again, the Vagabond Couple, back on the road with our trusty steed, Shehzadi (yes, our Toyota Tundra pickup truck has a name, and she’s royalty). This time, we’re leaving the crisp mountain air of Colorado Springs behind (see "Topeka, Kansas to Colorado Springs, Colorado - Pikes Peak Summit, Garden of the Gods & More") and pointing Shehzadi’s grille westward. Our mission? To reconnect with good ol’ I-70 and make our way into the red-rock wonderland of Utah. Buckle up, because this leg of the journey is packed with jaw-dropping scenery, a dash of history, and a questionable biryani. Let’s dive in!

Hoosier Pass: Where the Rockies Take Your Breath Away (Literally)

Our first major stop was Hoosier Pass, a high mountain pass on Route 9 that sits at a whopping 11,542 feet above sea level. For those of you who love a little history, Hoosier Pass was named after the miners from Indiana (aka "Hoosiers") who flocked to Colorado during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in the mid-1800s. Back in the day, this pass was a crucial route for miners hauling their dreams (and their gear) over the Continental Divide of the Americas - an unbroken, north-to-south ridgeline spanning the Rockies to the Andes across North and South American continents that mandates whether water flows into the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. (We will cross back over the Continental Divide again later when we return east from down south).

Hoosier Pass Continental Divide

Driving up the winding road, we could feel Shehzadi’s twin-turbos purring with determination. The views? Absolutely unreal. Snow-capped peaks, dense evergreen forests, and the occasional alpine meadow made us feel like we were in a postcard. At the summit, we pulled over to snap some photos and catch our breath - literally. The altitude here is no joke, folks.

Breckenridge: A Mountain Town with Charm to Spare

After descending from Hoosier Pass, we rolled into Breckenridge, a picturesque mountain resort town that’s equal parts charming and lively. Breckenridge has a rich history as a gold-mining town, and you can still see remnants of its past in the beautifully preserved Victorian buildings downtown. These days, it’s more famous for its world-class skiing and vibrant arts scene.

We strolled along Main Street, popping into quirky boutiques and sipping on some much-needed coffee. The town has this laid-back, welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay forever - or at least until the next snowstorm. But alas, the open road was calling, so we hopped back into Shehzadi and continued our journey.

Vail: Glitz, Glam, and a Quick Pit Stop

Next up was Vail, the epitome of a luxury mountain resort town. Vail feels like the kind of place where people wear designer ski gear just to grab a latte. We didn’t linger long - just enough time to stretch our legs and marvel at the perfectly manicured streets and towering condos. It’s a beautiful place, but it definitely has a different vibe compared to the more down-to-earth Breckenridge.

Glenwood Canyon: Nature’s Masterpiece

Once we merged onto westbound I-70, we entered Glenwood Canyon, and let me tell you, this stretch of road is nothing short of spectacular. The canyon is a marvel of engineering, with the highway winding alongside the Colorado River, framed by towering cliffs and lush greenery. It’s hard to believe this road was completed in 1992 - it feels like it’s always been a part of the landscape.

As we drove through, we couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer beauty of it all. The river sparkled in the sunlight, and the canyon walls seemed to rise endlessly into the sky. There are even bike paths and rest areas along the way, making it a favorite spot for outdoor enthusiasts. If you ever find yourself driving through Colorado, Glenwood Canyon is a must-see.

But, as we cruised through the breathtaking Glenwood Canyon on I-70, the beauty of the towering cliffs and the sparkling Colorado River was momentarily overshadowed by a sobering sight in the distance: smoke billowing from a forest fire.

Forest Fire - Westbound I-70 along Colorado River just after Glenwood Canyon, western Colorado

Plumes of smoke rising into the sky was both mesmerizing and heartbreaking. We couldn’t help but feel a pang of concern for the communities and wildlife affected, and it added a layer of urgency to our appreciation for these wild, untamed places.

Colorado to Utah: The Southwest Unfolds

Utah: View off westbound I-70 just across the Colorado border

Crossing the border from Colorado into Utah felt like entering a whole new world. The landscape shifted from rugged mountains to vast, open expanses of red rock and desert.

Moab desert, I-70 West, across the Colorado - Utah border

The speed limit jumped to 80 MPH, and Shehzadi was more than happy to stretch her legs (wheels).

American Southwest Desert 80 MPH speed zone: I-70 West across the Colorado - Utah border

As we cruised along I-70 in Utah, we passed some incredible landmarks. There’s the San Rafael Swell, a massive geologic formation that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, and the ghost town of Cisco, which feels like a relic of the Old West. Every mile brought new wonders, and we couldn’t stop snapping photos (safely, of course).

Moab desert, I-70 West, across the Colorado - Utah border

Moab: Gateway to Adventure

Finally, we turned onto Highway 191 South and made our way to Moab, the adventure capital of Utah. Moab is a quirky little town surrounded by some of the most stunning landscapes on Earth—Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and countless other natural wonders.

We checked into a cozy hotel (Shehzadi got a well-deserved rest in the parking lot) and set out to find dinner. Now, here’s where things got… interesting. We stumbled upon the only Indian restaurant in town, and let’s just say it was an experience. The biryani was, well, not great - mostly pre-packaged and warmed up. But hey, when you’re in the middle of the desert, you take what you can get. We laughed it off and made a mental note to stick to local cuisine for the rest of our stay.

Luckily, there is an amazing Food Truck Park in Moab, - a vibrant little hub of flavor and community spirit, tucked away in the heart of this adventure-loving town. Picture a cluster of colorful food trucks, each with its own unique personality, arranged around a casual outdoor seating area strung with twinkling lights. The vibe is laid-back and welcoming, with a mix of locals and travelers swapping stories about their day’s adventures in the nearby national parks.

The amazing Food Truck Park in Moab, Utah

The food options are as diverse as the crowd. From gourmet tacos piled high with locally sourced ingredients to wood-fired pizzas with perfectly charred crusts, there’s something for every craving. We couldn’t resist trying the Korean BBQ truck, where the bulgogi beef tacos were a revelation - sweet, savory, and just the right amount of spicy. And of course, there’s always a truck serving up classic American comfort food, because sometimes you just need a juicy burger after a day of hiking.

What makes this place special isn’t just the food (though it’s fantastic), but the sense of community. Strangers become friends as they bond over shared picnic tables, and the live music drifting through the air adds to the festive atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you can kick back with a craft beer or a homemade lemonade, watch the sun set over the red rock cliffs, and feel like you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. If you’re in Moab, don’t miss this gem - it’s a feast for the stomach and the soul.

And that’s a wrap on Episode 4! Stay tuned for the next installment, where we explore the otherworldly landscapes of Arches, Canyonlands and the legendary Colorado River Bend at Dead Horse, and even go off-roading at the Sand Flats Recreation Area (see Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park & Sand Flats Offroad Trail Recreation Area | Moab, Utah). Until then, keep wandering, friends.

Reference route map of The Vagabond Couple's 9,000-mile USA & Mexico overland roundtrip: Map-1 and Map-2.

- The Vagabond Couple (& Shehzadi)