Thursday

Dan: On Thursday, December 10, I woke up to discover that I’d lost a credit card and found a migraine headache. Capitol One was great about cancelling the card and arranging to send a new one. The migraine, on the other hand, was much less accommodating. Fortunately, Alan felt great and, since we were both up early, he was designated driver as we hit the road at 6:30 and I tried to sleep off the headache. Alan drove all morning and repeatedly assured me that he was loving the drive. While I napped, he’d stop at scenic spots, get out and take videos, then hop back in and start driving again. By noon I felt good enough to drive. Our major concern was the weather. El Nino is hitting California pretty hard right now, and we weren't sure how we were going to get across the Sierra mountains (the Rockies were a breeze in comparison.) As we continued to drive south on Rt. 395 from Bishop CA, we kept learning from locals and rangers that all of the routes that we wanted to take across the mountains were either closed or required chains on the tires. All we could do was keep driving south. Of course, we still were loving the views of mountains and valleys, the rock formations and volcanic rock fields along the way. By the end of the day, however, we were changing drivers every ½ hour and feeling exhausted. We finally stopped at the La Quinta Inn in Tehachapi (elevation 4,064 feet), about an hour short of Bakersfield - looking forward to a good night’s sleep. It was another great day.

Day 6

We were planning to take 50 or 80 across Nevada, but somewhere along we discovered that a major snowstorm would be hitting Reno, making 50 and 80 "Unplowable at times."  We understand the Western understatement, so Dan designed a route to take us south of the weather.

Even so, when we got in to California, we discovered that the roads we wanted to take west were either closed, or "tire chain mandatory."

We sped south along the Western head of the Sierra's to avoid the mess, but it did become colder and more rainy as we went.  

Dan's plan worked, and tomorrow we will be at the Pacific Ocean.

We saw this weather report (below) as we decided to buy some food and hurry south through the Inyo valley.  We bought gas and food (Jack in the Box), and the whole idea seemed like the only thing to do, even if a bit dicey.  It was extremely windy, and the storm clouds were descending upon us from the high Sierras.

Wednesday

Dan: On Wednesday morning we headed west from Leadville, taking the Top of the Rockies Highway, which turned into the 10^th Mountain Division Highway, which became the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway in Utah. We haven’t been below 5,000 feet elevation in days. We stopped briefly at the Museum of Western Colorado in Grand Junction but decided not to spend the $7 entry fee when the docent told us that the gun exhibit was closed because someone stole part of the display. A very short time later, however, we saw a road sign for Independence Monument National Park – and what a great, unexpected find. The views on this part of the trip have been spectacular. We finished the day in Delta Utah. There are only 20,000 people in the whole county – that’s the equivalent of a boro or township back in PA. If I read the brochure correctly, 80% of this county is public land: only 20% is privately owned! Just before arriving in Delta, we passed Salina Utah, which is where Alan spent time on an archeological dig in college. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit the dig. We didn’t get all the way to the dig because Diablo balked at getting off paved roads, but it sure brought back great memories for Alan. On the way to the dig, we saw a pickup truck stopped on the shoulder and, because this is a really secluded area, we slowed down and asked if they needed help. The driver said, “No, we’re fine, we just captured ourselves a Christmas tree, thanks for asking though.” I guess Uncle Sam is making one family happy this season.  At the Days Inn in Delta OK, we used the laundry facilities and walked to the Mexican restaurant next door for take out. We studied our maps and tentatively decided to take a southern route through Nevada to avoid Reno and its snow storm altogether. The Loneliest Road in America will just have to wait for another time.

Utah

These are some photos of going through parts of Utah.  There were many more, even though these are too many.  I loved this.  We went by Green River, where my brother David has history, and Gooseberry Road Exit, where, I did archaeological field school. 

My Dad visited me there while I was at the dig, years and years ago, which was a ridiculously wonderful thing that he did.

This drive through Utah brought back memories for me.

Colorado National. Monument

We discovered a gem of a National Park called Colorado National Monument, just out of Grand Junction, Colorado.

Disappointed that the Museum of Western Colorado didn't work out (the gun exhibit was closed because visitors had stolen some pieces.)

Can you hear me now?

If I dropped my keys, would the Park Ranger go get them for me?

Independence Monument. Recreational climbers are allowed to climb it each summer.

This is for all the commenters making those Thelma and Louise remarks.

Day 5

We had a long day today.  We are going to bed without finishing all the posts.  We ended by doing Laundry.  We are working out how to avoid a huge snowstorm in Reno tomorrow.

Visiting the Colorado National Monument was a fluke - we just saw it on the map, had some extra time, and decided to check it out.

That's Independence Monument behind us. Who doesn't love Independence?

Convenient, right in the hotel. We've seen worse.