Wednesday morning

Well... its 6:30 am Wednesday morning. I stopped last night around 10:00 pm but more on that later.... Here are some shots of the beautiful Sierra Nevadas...

Here is a pic of Reno.... pretty eh?

I was determined to pass Nevada at all cost yesterday - a casino in West Wendover almost got my attention for some gambling until I pulled into to town and saw how sad it was. One question: why do people put tires on their mobile home roof?

The sights yesterday were amazing overall - even the high desert of Nevada attracts me and makes my imagination run. I think that's why I like road trips so much - I can imagine all the cars and people from years ago going down the old two lane road that runs next to the Interstate. Going cross country perhaps like me but a whole lot slower..... can't say that was better or worse, but I think you can guess. That's why I am not flying back to the East coast - you miss the journey.

I get so distracted watching and thinking about that old road that I sometimes (close your eyes Keith) almost drive off the road. Interestingly, Nevada has these groves in their roads that make alot of noise when you drive over them.... early warning system. Works every time.

This pic is great with the farm... the old road is just past the railway....

So last night I drove to Salt Lake City... I just wanted to pass Nevada and get past it. However when I got to SLC it was late and the first hotel I tried was booked. Great for SLC but really.... SLC booked? So then I thought I would drive past SLC (there is no way I am going downtown near that building) and find a hotel on the other side of the city. So I am following 80 and without any warning end up starting to climb the mountains. It seems I had past SLC but there were no hotels - or anything - anywhere. And no exit to turn around. Of course I was also low on gas because I thought I was about to stop for the night. Ooooo - the drama!

Then it gets really cold... and snow is everywhere..... mind you I still have on shorts from the California weather. At the summit there is an exit for an area for a gas station. Ah - a gift from the heavens.

So I pull over and there are feets of snow everywhere... plus it is almost 20 degrees. I have to get out and pump gas at a station that looks deserted and it's pitch black out - in shorts. I was SO cold. Not complaining though because I now had gas and the cold air gave me my 2nd, 3rd and 4th wind to keep driving.

Luckily, just a few miles down the road was civilization and I was able to find a hotel - with a room.

So today it's off to Denver. I don't think I am going to push it as much as yesterday and instead get to Denver and try to find a diner from the Food Network show.