I wonder if Dave knows that his trip is uphill from the Mississippi River all the way to Denver?
No kidding. When he crosses the Big Muddy, the elevation is just a few hundred feet above sea level. But all the way across Missouri, Kansas and Eastern Colorado, he is slowly gaining elevation until he reaches about 5000 feet. And at the point he hasn't climbed any mountains. Don't believe it? Look at a map and see which way the rivers run. It's flat, but it's tilted toward the east.
End of georgraphy lesson. Class dismissed.
Hey, that felt good!
Howard