Life Day 21454: Las Vegas Lounging
Wednesday, April 5th, was a day of contrasts. When I departed Idaho Falls at 0900 for Worland, WY, the rain had ceased and I could not have custom ordered more beautiful weather. I stopped just over the Wyoming State Line after US-26 intersects with US-89, at a View Area.
These photographs typify the scenery through which I drove for most of the morning and early afternoon. POOR ME. They were taken from the above mentioned View Area in the Targhee National Wilderness about 13 miles south of Hoback Junction. The river in the photo center left is the Snake River.
I stopped at a small truckstop in Riverton, WY to walk the MMM, then drove on to Worland. I did the drop/hook. Here's where things started to go south, both literally and figuratively. By now it was raining hard. The wind kicked up as well. By the time I got to Thermopolis, the rain was waning for the moment and the sun peeked through the clouds. I stopped briefly to take these pictures of a double rainbow.
I was too close to capture the entire rainbow in one picture. I tried to line them up as much as possible, but wasn't too successful.
I continued south and as I transitioned onto WY-28 west, the rain returned. It soon turned to snow and ice and 20 mph sustained winds with gusts of over 30 mph as I went over the summit at the southern tip of the Shoshone National Forest at South Pass City. This load was only 7040 lbs and I had a 14 ft trailer. Light loads, high trailers, gusty winds, ice and snow do not mix well. Lets just say, driving conditions were less than ideal. It was a good reminder of why I avoid Wyoming in the winter. I made it to Rock Springs about 2130, walked the MMM and went to bed. I drove 583 miles in 10.25 hours.
On the 6th, I awoke to light snow. By the time I was ready to leave at 1000, it was heavier. I was worried about traveling over "the sisters" between Fort Bridger and Evanston, as it can get "nasty" in inclement weather. By the time I reached there however, the snow had subsided a little and I made it across with no problem. I continued to Salt Lake City where I had lunch. At 1530, I left and drove to The MMM's favorite Rest Area on I-15 south at mile marker 88.
The MMM enjoyed their brief stay while I enjoyed the sunset.
At 1930, I left and drove to Las Vegas where I stopped for the night. I drove 619 miles in 10.25 hours.
On the 7th, I left Vegas at 0900. I drove directly to the Consignee in San Bernardino. I arrived early and had to wait 2 hours to be unloaded. The unloading took another 1/2 hour. About 1430, I recieved and accepted a Pre-Plan which picked up in Mira Loma, CA and delivered in Salt Lake City, UT. It was scheduled to 'drop in transit' (T-Call) at our drop yard in Henderson, NV (20 miles empty and 237 miles loaded). I drove to Mira Loma and picked up the pre-loaded trailer. I left at about 1615 and immediately upon transitioning to I-15 north, got stuck in the quotidian LA to Las Vegas Friday "rush hour" traffic. It was compounded by a truck fire near the summit of Cajon Pass. I eventually made it to Henderson, dropped the loaded trailer, picked up an empty and drove to the Wild, Wild West to begin my time off. I drove 509 miles in 9.75 hours.
Today, the 8th, I just relaxed (lounged) all day. Tomorrow, I may take a day trip somewhere.
These photographs typify the scenery through which I drove for most of the morning and early afternoon. POOR ME. They were taken from the above mentioned View Area in the Targhee National Wilderness about 13 miles south of Hoback Junction. The river in the photo center left is the Snake River.
I stopped at a small truckstop in Riverton, WY to walk the MMM, then drove on to Worland. I did the drop/hook. Here's where things started to go south, both literally and figuratively. By now it was raining hard. The wind kicked up as well. By the time I got to Thermopolis, the rain was waning for the moment and the sun peeked through the clouds. I stopped briefly to take these pictures of a double rainbow.
I was too close to capture the entire rainbow in one picture. I tried to line them up as much as possible, but wasn't too successful.
I continued south and as I transitioned onto WY-28 west, the rain returned. It soon turned to snow and ice and 20 mph sustained winds with gusts of over 30 mph as I went over the summit at the southern tip of the Shoshone National Forest at South Pass City. This load was only 7040 lbs and I had a 14 ft trailer. Light loads, high trailers, gusty winds, ice and snow do not mix well. Lets just say, driving conditions were less than ideal. It was a good reminder of why I avoid Wyoming in the winter. I made it to Rock Springs about 2130, walked the MMM and went to bed. I drove 583 miles in 10.25 hours.
On the 6th, I awoke to light snow. By the time I was ready to leave at 1000, it was heavier. I was worried about traveling over "the sisters" between Fort Bridger and Evanston, as it can get "nasty" in inclement weather. By the time I reached there however, the snow had subsided a little and I made it across with no problem. I continued to Salt Lake City where I had lunch. At 1530, I left and drove to The MMM's favorite Rest Area on I-15 south at mile marker 88.
The MMM enjoyed their brief stay while I enjoyed the sunset.
At 1930, I left and drove to Las Vegas where I stopped for the night. I drove 619 miles in 10.25 hours.
On the 7th, I left Vegas at 0900. I drove directly to the Consignee in San Bernardino. I arrived early and had to wait 2 hours to be unloaded. The unloading took another 1/2 hour. About 1430, I recieved and accepted a Pre-Plan which picked up in Mira Loma, CA and delivered in Salt Lake City, UT. It was scheduled to 'drop in transit' (T-Call) at our drop yard in Henderson, NV (20 miles empty and 237 miles loaded). I drove to Mira Loma and picked up the pre-loaded trailer. I left at about 1615 and immediately upon transitioning to I-15 north, got stuck in the quotidian LA to Las Vegas Friday "rush hour" traffic. It was compounded by a truck fire near the summit of Cajon Pass. I eventually made it to Henderson, dropped the loaded trailer, picked up an empty and drove to the Wild, Wild West to begin my time off. I drove 509 miles in 9.75 hours.
Today, the 8th, I just relaxed (lounged) all day. Tomorrow, I may take a day trip somewhere.
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