Left St. George, Utah, this morning and headed north on I-15. Still spectacular scenery. I can see why people retire here. The woman at the front desk moved here from San Diego which is no slouch in the scenery and good weather department.
Was hoping to go to the Kolob Canyon portion of Zion National Park which is just off I-15, but arrived to find the visitor center closed. Started up the road and found the road was closed as well.
Had a variety of weather conditions: snow flurries, clouds, a bit of rain at one point, sunshine, but the roads were clear and no problem traveling except that the car got covered with salt spray again. First thing I did on arriving at the motel was to get it washed. At least it will start tomorrow clean. I hate trying to unload the car when it's covered with salt--I end up covered with salt as well.
The scenery on I-15 and then on I-70 is absolutely spectacular. It rivals some of the national parks. When I reached the high desert in Utah, the sun was shining. I can see why the Mormons picked Utah--it's absolutely gorgeous. Their saying--Utah, life elevated--is very appropriate.
Am just across the border in Fruita, Colorado, tonight. This is the gateway to the Colorado National Monument, which I hope to visit again tomorrow if the nasty storm doesn't materialize here. It's really gorgeous, but that road is dicey in the best of times. Won't attempt it if there's snow or ice.
If the storm hits here, I will probably hole up here for another night. I'm hoping to get past Denver tomorrow and then head north. That should skirt the storm. Could see the clouds building up on the back side of the Rockies all day.
Pulled out at the Salt Wash View Area--it was so windy, I had to put my down jacket on just to snap a few photos! There were other viewpoints along the highway, but the view from the highway is pretty fantastic, so I skipped the other ones.
Today was another day of up the mountain, down the mountain, up the mountain, etc. My trusty car is handling all this well. There are long stretches where no gas is available, so I filled up when my tank was half empty. In Richfield, Utah. Not Richfield, Minnesota.
I have bagged the idea of visiting in Colorado Springs and Wichita, which would put me right in the worst of the storm. Hope to be able to skirt it to the north. Will see what tomorrow brings.
WANDERINGS & MUSINGS. Occasional thoughts on travel, getting ready to travel, other things. Maybe some lessons learned along the way.
Now I'm becoming jealous of your drive. You're going through some country that was important to me way back in what seemed like the carefree days, when skiing to me bordered on religion...yes driving through Glenwood Springs, then to Aspen, Vail, Steamboat Springs, all the great places in Colorado...of course these are 30 and 40 year old memories.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to Wichita, see Marilyn and J, talk them into going on the boat.
Yes, I've been on that stretch of I-70 from I-15 and into CO. I agree, it's beautiful. When I drove through there, part of I-70 in Utah was not built yet, but it was even better because you enjoyed the slower drive through the forested area. Hope you miss most of the nasty weather.
I've bagged Wichita--they're getting hammered by the storm. Am trying to go north around it.
ReplyDelete