I Don't Feel Good

Still in Billings 

Had a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and then headed north. After being on the road for a week, I was ready to get to Billings but I still had a couple of days left to drive. 

I took I-25 to Pueblo and then headed up County Road 9. Paul had suggested this route because I was avoiding Denver. My choices had been to head east to Brush and northwest to Cheyenne or go west and up through the mountains to Frisco. 

Remember Daisy? My 2008 Kia Rio? There is no way she could have made the trip up the mountain. But Jazzy took it in stride. We even drove through slush on the highway with snow piled up on the sides of the road. I was glad to see the end of that. Arrived at Frisco, CO (which is next door to Breckenridge) and got out of the car to check in. I couldn't breathe. Lifting my small suitcase out of the trunk and getting to my room was almost impossible. I dropped the suitcase at the door and sat down in a chair. I thought I was having a heart attack and I kept praying and telling the Lord that I did not want to die in that hotel room. It took me over an hour to find the strength to get up and get some water to drink. 

Called Paul to let him know I was there and told him what was happening. He thought I was suffering with altitude sickness. The pass I came over was at 10,000+ feet and the motel was at 9,810 feet!  And after looking up the symptoms for altitude sickness, I had to agree with him. I've lived in the Phoenix Valley for years and have not been to those high altitudes in all that time. My lungs were not impressed. I was just happy it wasn't a heart attack. 

There was a KFC right next door and that's where I got some dinner and brought it back to the room. Once again it took me awhile to regain my ability to breathe. I've known people who suffer this stuff but now I truly understand how horrible it is for them. 

I did take a picture out my window.  This is the only picture I took until I got to Billings.

 The next day I headed into Wyoming. I was still in the mountains for many miles but Highway 9 runs through the valley which was really nice and a beautiful drive with mountains towering on both sides of the valley. I was really excited about being able to breathe again the farther down the mountains I drove. My destination for tonight is Casper, WY. Tomorrow I'll be in Billings and I'm so excited.