Day 65 – Rawlins, WY to North Platte, NE

It got pretty cool last night. The wind was whistling across the prairie at 22 mph and the chill factor was 26° at 7am. We were grateful for a toasty warm trailer.

The Route

We spent a second day on I-80, starting at Rawlins and ending 375 miles later at North Platte.

About the Day

It was overcast until we got to Laramie and mostly sunny for the rest of the day. The morning was cold, but the day warmed nicely by mid-afternoon.

We abandoned the idea of taking the Snowy Range Scenic Byway because the Medicine Bow Mountains were shrouded in dark clouds.  This was our second attempt ... maybe next time?

Strong winds in Wyoming brought highway warnings and a few tense driving moments.

We passed some interesting places like Laramie and Cheyenne in Wyoming, and Cabela’s World Headquarters in Sidney, Nebraska. We also crossed the highest point on I-80 (8,640 feet) at exit 323 in Wyoming and exceeded 10,000 miles of driving for this trip.

Along the Way

Here’s some of what we saw.

I-80 wind advisory just east of Rawlins

I-80 speed limit signs in Wyoming
are digital and remotely controlled.

Clouds hung low over the
Medicine Bow Mountains.

The sky began to clear as we approached Laramie.

High wind warnings continued past Cheyenne.

The highest point on I-80.

The terrain changed as we entered Nebraska.

The hills became gentle.

We started to see some green in Nebraska.

The Campground

Funny story:  We’re camped in the same campground we stayed at on August 7, 2012 during our Midwest Trip.  It was an accident.

Around noon each day, we agree on a stopping point down-the-road based on our travel progress. Carol then selects a campground using a Good Sam campground directory. It just happened that today our progress and her selection put us in Holiday RV Park in North Platte. She got the same result over two years ago even though we were coming from the east then.

Tomorrow

We’ll continue on I-80 and may make it to Omaha.

Day 64 – Salt Lake City, UT to Rawlins, WY

We began bonding with I-80 today. It’s a relationship that will last four days (or when we get to Illinois).

The Route

Drive two blocks from the campground to the I-80 entrance ramp, get on I-80 east and drive 297 miles to Rawlins.

About the Day

The weather was pretty good to us. It was mostly sunny and cool. We drove through a few brief showers.

It was cool with a 12 mph wind when we got to Rawlins. It’s supposed to get down to 38° tonight and reach 57° tomorrow ... brrr.

Along the Way

Terrain and population changes were very interesting. Most of yesterday’s sightseeing involved human artistry in a busy area. Today we saw nature’s creativity in the wilderness.

Crossing the Wasatch Mountains on I-80 east

2002 Olympic ski jumps at Park City

The terrain changes along I-80 were dramatic.

Wyoming welcomed us with prairie.

Wow! I-80 in Wyoming is long and straight.

We could see rain coming from far away.

Divided tunnels on I-80 near Green River

Each summit revealed something new.

The weather brought some exciting views.

The Campground

We’re staying at Western Hills Campground in Rawlins. It’s a year-round campground in a rugged, remote area. They offer excellent amenities and tend everything very nicely. However, the sites are laid out on a gravel parking lot. We got everything but atmosphere.

What a difference a day makes ...

Yesterday

Today

Site #28

Tomorrow

We're a bit undecided. We may stay on I-80 or take an alternate route to Laramie on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway.

Day 63 – Salt Lake City, UT (Day 3)

We took a 5 hour sightseeing tour today. It was a lot like drinking from a fire hose, but a pretty good way to get a feel for the city.

Getting Started

We were up by 7:00. The rain had stopped and sunshine brightened the morning. The tour bus picked us up at 8:30.

On the Way

We travelled around the city viewing and occasionally stopping at points of interest. There were four stops where everyone departed the bus, two photo op stops and lots of “over there you will see” highlights.

John Knight, our Mormon driver/guide, has lived in the area his whole life. He knew the city and its history well. He included a lot of church doctrine in his narrative.

First stop: Temple Square/Mormon Tabernacle

We watched the rehearsal and performance of the 4,437^th broadcast of the Tabernacle Choir, Organ and Orchestra. The acoustics were phenomenal.

Rehearsal

After the performance

The Salt Lake Temple

It took 40 years to build the Temple.

The Temple is inside Temple Square

Assembly Hall

Assembly Hall is inside Temple Square

Eagle Gate Monument commemorates the entrance to Brigham Young’s property at the mouth of City Creek Canyon.

Eagle Gate Monument spans State Street

Second stop: Pioneer Heritage State Park

It’s supposed to have the best gift shop in Utah. It was attractive and had an extensive inventory. We didn't buy anything.

Entrance to Heritage Village

This Is The Place Monument

Remembering the journey west

Third stop: Trolley Square

We stopped here for lunch at the Desert Edge Brewery & Pub

Last stop: Utah State Capitol Building

This structure is majestic and beautifully constructed.

Arch and scene from the rotunda's
eight scene cyclorama

House of Representatives wing
from the rotunda

Wasatch Mountains from the capitol steps

End of Day

The day was sunny except for a brief morning shower while we were in the Tabernacle. We made a second visit to the Great Salt Lake.

Carol stands on the Great Salt Lake

A squall moved across the lake

Storm clouds approach from the east

Tomorrow

We decided to head for home via I-80. We should be back in Columbus in a week.

Day 62 – Salt Lake City, UT (Day 2)

Weather Update

Thunder rumbled and grumbled in the distance throughout the night. Action started at 4:30am with nearby thunder, lighting and moderate rain. It quieted after about an hour. We awoke to heavy overcast and dripping trees.

Plans

We extended our stay one day (through Sunday) and made reservations for a tour that includes the Salt Lake Temple, Tabernacle Choir and Organ, State Capital Building, Governor’s Mansion, and many other sites of interest.

It's supposed to rain quite a bit today. Regardless, we plan to take a look at Great Salt Lake on our own and keep a close eye on the OSU vs. Cincinnati game.

The Day

Our “do-it-yourself” tour didn’t work so well. The rain and limited visibility were too much to overcome.

Saltair Pavilion is the name given to several resorts located on the southern shore of the Great Salt Lake. The first was built in 1893. Over the years, the Saltairs have served as resorts, amusement parks, dance palaces and concert halls. The last (the third) was constructed in 1981 from a salvaged Air Force aircraft hangar. They hold occasional concerts here. We were underwhelmed.

Welcome to Saltair III

We weren't impressed.

The lake is much more impressive in the sunshine.

Great Salt Lake from Saltair Beach

We spent most of the afternoon in the trailer listening to rain drops, reading, watching TV and following football. We “watched” the OSU game on ESPN Gamecast and were pleased with the 50-28 win .

The rain stopped around 6:30pm and started again around 8:30pm. Oh, well.

Day 61 – Declo, ID to Salt Lake City, UT

Rain is on the way, but today was mostly sunny and we enjoyed a relatively short drive of 176 miles to Salt Lake City.

Getting Started

Carol had a rough night. She felt sick and didn't sleep very much.

We got up much later than usual and didn't get on the road until almost 11.

The morning looked brighter than we felt.

The Route

We took I-84 east from Declo to Brigham City where we connected with I-15 and followed it south into Salt Lake City.

Along the Way

The first 65 miles or so were pretty desolate. There were no towns or gas stops along I-84.

It's pretty desolate out here.

And there are miles to go. 

Snowville UT was our first opportunity for a stop. It’s a quaint little community. We got gas and stopped at Mollie’s Café for lunch. Mini Mollie (Mollie’s granddaughter) was our server. She was young, very efficient and quite sociable. She shared some family history and was proud to announce that her 10 month old daughter (the last of 5 children) had increased the census to 101. She also made it quite clear that further population growth was someone else’s responsibility.

The terrain along I-84 was rugged. We found it captivating.

Towns, businesses, and traffic increased dramatically after we got to Tremonton UT.

The Campground

We’re staying at the Salt Lake City KOA. It’s located inside the city limits, just 2 miles from Temple Square. Campgrounds inside large cities are usually like cramped parking lots with no privacy … but, not here. It’s attractive, nicely landscaped, and relatively secluded from traffic and street noise.

We’ll be here for 2 or 3 days.

Evening Weather Update (7:30pm)
The forecast calls for heavy rain and thunderstorms tomorrow. We're getting early confirmation now.

We had some strong wind gusts this afternoon and a brief shower. Dark clouds moved in around 6pm. The wind has increased and we can hear thunder.

It looks like this evening will be interesting and tomorrow will not be a good sightseeing day.