Thursday we left Dripping Spring driving separate vehicles. We knew we had several big climbs before we arrived at I-80 and it would be easier if the rv wasn't towing the CRV. Joyce drove ahead with plans to hook up at Rock Springs.
The drive was uneventful, except for the wind and blowing snow. The temperature was 22 degrees on the ridge leading to Rock Springs. When we arrived at Rock Springs, the area was crowded with semis so we continued along the interstate. Joyce had enough gas to make it to Wamsutter.
Except....traffic came to a complete stop on the interstate! Snow was building up, melting, and freezing--not a good combination. We sat still for about an hour. As we sat, two snow plows passed us in the emergency lane. We started to move along at a crawl. After driving slow for 30 minutes, Joyce's chances of making it to Wamsutter for gas were slim to nil. Traffic stopped again! We wanted to hook the car to the rv at the next rest area, but the rest area was still 15 miles ahead.
Finally, the rest area was in sight. We pulled over, ate lunch, and got ready to hook the car to the rv. As we ate, we noticed the highway was drying and it was no longer snowing! We even saw a bit of blue sky! Time to hook up! We had to put on jackets, hats, and gloves--it was cold outside. Once we had the car in tow, we headed for an rv park in Rawlins, Wyoming. We called ahead and they had plenty of available spaces. We would spend the night with electricity and cable! We planned to move on in the morning.
Well, we thought we would move on in the morning...it started snowing and the wind picked up Friday morning. We checked the Wyoming road report and found that I-80 was closed between Rawlins and Laramie! There was a problem with drifting snow, high winds and ice forming in driving lanes. We would stay another night in Rawlins! Friday's high would be in the 30s and the low for the night was expected to drop to the upper teens! Saturday the high was expected to be around 50! What a scorcher! We planned to travel on Saturday!
4 comments:
Hey Bob, Let me tell you it gets cold in Rawlins. We start north from Rawlins going to the Tetons. We got snowed on two or three times on the way up in late may. You might want to check and see if the passes will be open over into Teton Valley if thats where you are going. I don't believe the park opens till the end of the month. Don't miss Cody Wy. That is the neatest town. Gunfights in the street. Old west town with real building from that time period. Cecil
Cecil, we finally made it to FT Collins and my sister's house. Roads were pretty decent from Rawlins to FT Collins. We won't head to the Tetons for another 4 or 5 days so hopefully it will be clear by then. The high for today is 76 so it's nice here. - Bob
Well enjoy the cool air while you can, its suppose to be near 90 here today and the rest of the week. Still wish I was there with you guys. I like that going from place to place. Are ya'll going to go over to Dead wood or Mt Rushmore area this trip? Don't miss Devils Tower either. Later Cecil
Saw Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower in the early 90s so we are skipping them this trip to see more of what we haven't seen. Hop a plane and come join us! We have space available!
Bob and Joyce
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