DAY TWELVE, part one: Ely, NV to Salinas, UT

DAY TWELVE, part one: Ely, NV to Salinas, UT


I woke up to the distinctive long, low whooooosh of plow blades along concrete followed by the high pitched squealing blasts alerting everyone they have reversed direction. John got up, and I peered out the window to see it was still dark outside. I fell back asleep. Until I felt I was moving. At first it scared me, then I remembered John said he was going to get gas before heading out.

Once the vehicle stopped I climbed down from the loft and brushed my teeth. The glimpse of my stress-laden tired (and dirty) self in the mirror made me want to add “truck stop with a shower” to our list of stops. At 5:30 the sun has not come up over the mountains we are going to brave today. But since we are both awake, we decide to press forward knowing that each mile will bring more light. We also know there may be another storm at the heels of the one we endured last night and we’d like to stay ahead of that one.

We only went a few miles on the dark snowy road before the blowing snow obscuring our vision coupled with the fact the reflectors marking the edges of the road were covered in snow and not doing their job, made us want to stop and wait for sunrise. We came to a pull-out immediately after a sign flashing that there was a mandatory snow chain requirement.

We waited and debated putting on snow chains. As we did, two semi trucks pulled in behind us. As the sky began to lighten, John decided to put the chains on the tires. What a nightmare. HE had to lay in the snow, as the wind blew sideways at him. IT was a colossal pain in the ass, and I think his blood pressure rose quite a bit. We hadn’t even gone a few miles and he was taking them off. More laying in the snow. They always make it sound like putting on snow chains is so easy anybody could do it. I think that’s BS.

We realized that last night, in the midst of the blizzard, we rolled over 4000 miles. It was not met with fanfare this time. The kids either played, laughed, or slept, completely unaware of the danger. That was one thing that warmed my heart.

The Snake Valley, which spans between Nevada and Utah had wind gusts like I’ve never seen. Its really hard to capture on video, but I tried. You can’t win it seems, but simply hop from one weather extreme to the next. We couldn’t wait to get out of the treachery of the mountains, and to finally drop in elevation. Then, at 5000 feet, there are no mountains around. Therefore there is no barrier for the winds. The gusts were easily 40 miles per hour or more and had thrown drifts across the highway, the height and density of which were impossible to gage. We were both happy and scared to see the road lead straight into the mountains again. Please, God, let this road stay on the valley floor, free of wind, icy roads, and drop-offs.

For a good long stretch on 50 we were in clear roads and low altitudes, free of heavy winds. We were able to make up a lot of ground. I started to crave a shower like nobody’s business. Every pore of my being is in desperate need of a loofa and some flowery soap. The girls are feeling it, too. So I was ever so excited to see a billboard for the Flying J in Scipio, which proudly boasted “Shower Facilities.”

When we rolled into Scipio, the snow started again. But I was so anxious to peel off these pajamas and hop into a warm roomy shower. The girls, too. John went in and asked. $10 per person. Cue the “zonk” music. I turned on the water heater in the RV and told John in 20 minutes when the water’s warm, we’re stopping and I’m getting clean. He is not a fan of this plan, so I had to pull the “well I didn’t want to stop at a pawn shop” card. WHAM!

Its been 20 minutes and we’re back in a blizzard. I’m meant to be completely rank today. : (

Middle of nowhere Salina, Utah. In the parking lot of a Sinclair gas station. I’m taking a shower. Thank you sweet baby Jesus in a manger. 50% was hot, 50% was cold, all of it was soapy and sudsy, so color me happy. Even when I had to step out of the shower into the 30 degree air that was wafting in through the vent. HALLELUJAH! I’M CLEAN!!!