If it's Thursday, I must Be in Boise

This is the last scheduled stop on my west coast trip and I must admit, I'm ready to get back home. I left Sacramento, CA Monday morning and have logged almost 2200 miles in three days before landing here in Boise last night.

My load from Sacramento delivered in Salt Lake City Monday evening. It went to an individual so he was flexible - and anxious - to get his pick-up truck. I was looking for a way to get to Boise from there but at the same time wasn't in a big hurry. My uncle's work schedule would have me home-alone if I got there early in the week, not that that would be so bad.

I lucked out (again) and found a round-trip deal going from SLC 450 miles up to north central Wyoming, not far from Yellowstone National Park, where I traded SUVs with two Ford dealers and then back. Even better, I was able to load the Ford Expedition going north that evening which really gave me a head-start on the trip. By the time I laid my head down to sleep Monday, I had driven more than 800 miles - a long day.

This trip was the kind I really like. Of the 450 miles each way, 300 of them were OFF the interstate and it was along a route I had not traveled before. If you really want to see America - GET OFF THE INTERSTATE!

About 100 miles into WY, I turned north off I-80 onto a two-lane road that went over the south pass of the Wind River mountain range - where some peaks are more than 13,000' high - and up the Big Horn valley between the Absoroka Range (where Yellowstone is) and the Big Horn Mountains.

I LOVE the mountains!. Perhaps it is because I grew up in southern Illinois where the closest thing we have to a mountain top is the bluff looking over the Mississippi River. (It's about 100' high) The mountains are a testament to Mother Natures power and majesty. It doesn't matter if I'm in my truck or on my motorcycle, I just can't get enough.

The summit of the south pass is still more than 8,000 feet above sea level. As you come down on the east side you drop thru the Red Canyon into the valley. I climbed a nearby hillside to get this picture and was having trouble breathing by the time I got back to the truck. But the vista was overwhelming.



Further north I went thru the Wind River canyon, another awesome display of beauty. As is typical, the road was flanked on one side by a swiftly flowing river and monster rock formations on the other. The obligatory railroad track was on the other bank of the river and, judging from the construction of the trestles and bridges, has been there a long time. But not nearly as long as these rock formations. Some of the historical markers along the way dated these hills at 300+ MILLION years old. On one occasion the roadway was tunneled thru the rock since it rose virtually straight up from the river.



As I continued north thru the valley, I couldn't help but wonder how quickly did this snow-capped mountain range 20 miles to my left take to form. Was it the blink of an eye or over millions of years?

I got to my delivery in the early afternoon and exchanged SUVs with them and headed back down the same route. I had seen many things going up that I wanted to stop and spend time at on my return. The only negative thing was the 20-30 mph wind that had been my friend all morning was now in my face. There goes my fuel mileage. But what a day Tuesday was.

I had seen rain forecast for SLC on Wednesday and sure enough, I woke up to ominous, purple clouds and a howling wind - and I still ahd 230 miles to go; thru more mountains! If it is warmer in Florida than in North Dakota because you are closer to the sun, why is it colder on the mountain top than it is in the valley?

Shortly after I got back on I-80, heading west now about 80 miles from the UT/WY border it began to snow. And I'm talking a blizzard. I was very concerned that they may shut down the interstate and I'd get stuck somewhere waiting for the weather to pass. There are many places where they have signs with flashing lights and barricades in place for just such an event. But luck was on my side again and we made it thru with nothing more than wet slushy roads in places; and a very 'schmutzig' motorcycle.



I completed the Ford SUV exchange in SLC just after lunch and the temps had risen enough for the snow and ice to melt away. Good Karma continued to smile on me as I found a little Honda Civic lease return going to Boise. Must be all that clean living!

I could have made it to Boise by the dealers 8:00 closing but my third day of hard driving was catching up. Besides, I still had the big wind in my face so in the interest of fuel mileage I took it slow and easy. I also took a nap and got into Boise about 9:00 last night.

I'm looking at some things going back to IA and IL for next week. Hopefully I can set something up today to load Friday and then head out Sunday or something.

Finally, here is a link to more pictures from my WY trip, enjoy THESE.