JOURNAL – SW/NEW MEXICO TRIP

Spring 2023

SUNDAY, March 19

High Country Lane to Springville, UT

522 miles

We are up shortly after 5:30am, and after making sure Spur is ‘back home’ (he apparently took a little trip beyond his boundary lines last night – evidence the barking heard up by Tom and Ellens and no dog around the house) and hoping that this isn’t a regular occurrence in our absence!

Quick stop at the Chevron south of town for coffee (and the free banana!) and we are out of Baker heading south by 6:45am. Skies are somewhat overcast, so we don’t have to worry about the rising sun in our eyes from the east! Rick drives us through Boise to the rest stop at MP 62. We had a slight delay for some issue on the freeway just a few miles prior – couldn’t tell what, but there were cops everywhere, a fire engine, flares, and all traffic was diverted to the shoulder of the road in single file.

I drove from the rest stop clear across the state and down to near the Utah border at the rest stop just north. We stopped in Jerome for gas and a fresh coffee (plus pit stop!). Had a little snack at the rest stop before Rick took back the wheel for the final push down his ‘favorite’ stretch of road – the Salt Lake City corridor! At least the hills north of Ogden were beautifully snow covered which made for good viewing. While Rick drove today, I managed to get the front sides of two angels completed in needlepoint!

Sunday afternoon was as good as possible for driving the SLC mess. Traffic but not horrible horrible. I never cease to be amazed that the speed limit remains 70, which means everyone drives 75 to 80 mph in all that traffic. Fortunately we didn’t have the trailer so Rick could drive part of it in the HOV lane. 

We got down to our Microtel lodging around 3:45, filling up with gas at the Love’s just across the road. We spent a total of $49 on gas today. Not too shabby!

Twenty minutes or so in the fitness room on the treadmills and we are ready to unwind in the room with dinner from the ice chest and food box. Rick watched a little March Madness basketball and I caught up on my daily word games and solitaire. Shorter day tomorrow!

MONDAY, March 20

Springville, UT to Cortez, CO

300 miles

Whoa! What a weather day! We woke up to rain in the Provo Valley. Which didn’t bode well for the drive over Soldier Summit. Grabbed our breakfast (lots of sweet stuff, not much protein) and hit the road around 8:30am A few miles past the Spanish Fork wind turbines, the rain turns to snow. And then… BIG fat fluffy flakes. Fortunately the temperature hovered just above freezing, so the roads never became real icy. Not the clearest of days for views, however!! At times, downright whiteout! But Rick persevered and we made it to Price in good stead. At the rest area just past Wellington, I took over the wheel and drove down to Moab.

Believe it or not, the entire time I drove, it sprinkled a few drops once or twice. Otherwise I had clear dry roads! We stopped in Moab for fresh drinks and Rick to drive again. Within minutes, he was back in the rain which quickly turned to snow south of town. From there on until Cortez, it was snowing, somewhat foggy or whiteout conditions!

When we got to our Turquoise Inn hotel, our room wasn’t ready (it was 2pm) so we drove on down to Walmart to pick up a few things (NP needles, canvas, food snacks for Rick, plus a 256g thumb drive to remove some photos from my laptop!

I’m not able to connect to the internet yet, so maybe I’ll have to work on the picture files!

Leftover soup defrosted for dinner along with homemade bread and cookies! We are disappointed the hot tub is under repair. I think Rick had planned to spend the afternoon in it!

A highlight for the day – around 8:30 we had a loud knock on our door and found Rusty Munn standing there! He and Ann were staying at the same hotel with sister Janice to deliver Janice to the airport in the morning. We visited with Rusty briefly and then made arrangements to meet for breakfast in the morning. Apparently the sign in the lobby welcoming guests was the give away: It had R Rembold right next to the A Brown – we didn’t make the connection, but Rusty did!

Heading over Soldier Summit - snow on the rocks!

Leaving Provo!  

The hotel sign in Cortez that alerted Rusty to our presence! 

TUESDAY, March 21

Cortez to Luke’s House to Las Cruces

476 miles

Another long day, but we made it! We met Rusty and Ann for breakfast shortly after 7 – but their day had already been compromised as Janice’s plane was delayed (eventually we learned it had been cancelled completely, but not until Rusty and Ann had returned home to Bluff – they were to pick Janice back up and fly back to ABQ to put her on a plane on the 22^nd! Ouch!) We left just before 8am heading south toward Shiprock.

When I went out to take our first load to the car this morning, I had to wipe off about two inches of wet snow. It was not snowing at the time, but the roads were certainly wet and the cloud level very low as we drove south. Not a day to view the beauty of the rock formations! It was a slow road from Shiprock through Farmington and into Bloomfield, following the San Juan River. Scattered rain showers, but out of the snow zone!

In Bloomfield we grab drinks and potty and on our way with me driving – this is my normal ‘stretch’ on the boring stretches of US550. I tried to locate the road to Nehemiah’s school, but had to stay focused on the highway – pot holes everywhere and the road was very wet with standing water in the ruts. Fortunately traffic was not real heavy and I could stay in the better left lane most of the way. Near the Continental Divide the rain turned to snow and by the time we got to Cuba, we had big fat flakes of wet snow falling. Rick took over the wheel in Cuba and took us on in to Luke’s, arriving around 12:30!

The snow crusted car leaving Cortez

Along 550 NW New Mexico

Discovered a change in plans at Luke’s – Kady is coming down with us – skipping her class for tonight! But we are taking two cars – too much stuff to get into one! And when we left them in charge of food, oh my! We are going to eat well! We grab a quick bite for lunch and then I jump in with Kady driving Luke’s car, while Luke jumps in with dad. Figured this way we would get conversations with both all the way south!

The road is dry from ABQ south! Hurray – and the temps are climbing clear up into the 70’s! We make a quick drink and potty stop in TorC and into Las Cruces shortly after 5. We find the BnB no problem and get settled. It is a nice house NE of town.

Kady cooked up raviolis with pesto, salad, and bread for dinner – Costco making it all easy! Then an evening of shopping (Luke and Kady as they forgot the eggs), hot tub (the stars were beautiful!), and a couple games of S&M. I managed to totally mess up my computer and Google Accounts when I tried to clean some files off my laptop when downloading my Photos. My laptop is sorely overtaxed with pictures right now. Need to clear some off onto the thumb drive I purchased!

Had to send the Sophia's sign and photo of M mountain (below) to Jed as we passed through Socorro!

 

Our AirBnB in Las Cruces - 3 bedrooms (we only needed two!) and the hot tub in back yard.

WEDNESDAY, March 22

Exploring Mesilla and White Sands

I got up early – nearly 2 hours before I saw anyone else! But then Luke came out and got started working on my laptop problems! Transferring some photos over to my Google Drive. We had a lazy morning – made up an egg casserole and finally, around 10 everyone sat down to breakfast! Wow. We had to make a delivery for Kady at noon, so just lazed around the morning.

Left, made our delivery at Peter Piper Pizza to a student of Kady’s visiting grandma, and received a cute card and slices of birthday cake (they were at a party!) Then off to explore Mesilla and Las Cruces. We found the Habitat office and one rig in the overflow RV spaces (there should be a build going on right

Inside the church

now!) Walked around Mesilla Plaza and poked into a number of shops. Also had a chance to go into the St Albino Basilica – the third version of this old church – brick, not adobe – so it doesn’t look very authentic SW. Set for Lent so all the sculptures were draped. Pretty stain glass. Picked up some pistachio wine and treats.

St. Albinos Basilica

Then off to find the ‘Recycled Roadrunner’ – a large sculpture located at a rest area just west of Cruces on I-10. This is the third rendition – made largely from bike tires, old shoes. Fun spotting other pieces of reclaimed items – computer parts, tennis racket, skis, etc. It is about 20’ high and 40’ long and the wind was whipping those tail feathers around! Great view from the rest area across the valley to the Organ Mts.

Walking down to view the roadrunner sculpture

Closeup so you can see the recycled parts: bottom is all the tops of white shoes! 

View of Organ Mountains from Roadrunner Rest Area

We drive back through Old Town/downtown Las Cruces and the plaza there and decide it will be a good place to go for a meal out after our hike tomorrow!

Back to the house to fix an early dinner (Steaks & salad!) - a challenge since we discovered no grill. Found the broiler at the bottom of the oven! Good meal.

Rick opts to stay at the house, while I accompany Kady and Luke the drive out to White Sands. Luke is armed with sand boards for ‘sledding’ and the desire to watch the sun set over the sands. I’m up to go take pictures! (How I will download them is another issue!)

Beautiful drive east as we listen to a short podcast on storytelling. I use my Senior Pass to get us ‘in’ altho Luke’s pass is still good for another week! We drive clear out to the end of the road, and then hike about a half mile out into the dunes. Find a good hill with views to the west. The wind is whipping!! Luke finds his sand sled doesn’t work well – whether he is too heavy or the sand still damp, who knows? So we just soak in the views. Luke makes sand angel and we call Jack to wish him a happy birthday, even though it is a day later in Taiwan! The clouds are ever changing and the sun plays on the blowing sand. A nice evening!

We have to be out of the park by 8pm, so we are home by 8:30! Kady and I hit the hot tub, but Luke gets involved in a long phone call with Jack, so we are getting out as he finally gets in! Earlier to bed! No games. :(

WHITE SANDS PHOTOS:

Rather gross, but I got sand in my mouth and spit it out.  This was the result - kinda artsy!

THURSDAY, March 23

Aguirre Springs Hike

I am up again early to put the egg casserole in the oven and get my prayers done! And...get some pictures loaded on to the thumb drive because I discover I can’t do my pictures – my laptop is just too full!

I leaving the laptop downloading at 9:15 when we take off headed east to the Aguirre Springs trailhead located on the east side of the Organ Mountains. But first...Luke needs a little gas. We find a Circle K easy access and with a price BELOW $3!! However….discover none of the pumps are working as the tanks have run dry. That’s what you get when you are cheap! Quick jaunt over to the Walmart and Murphy Express….also cheap and under $3!

The day is a bit cooler and more clouds, but blue sky is still with us. It is a windy, single lane but paved, road that runs from the freeway exit to the base of the Organs – to trailheads and a 45 site campground. We sit right above the White Sands Missile Testing headquarters (Uncle Bill landmark!) On the trail around 10:30!!

Our destination is Baylor Pass – the crest between the east and west sides of the mountain about 2+ miles distant. Uphill, but the grade is very gentle as we wind around the desert flora: yucca, sotol, alligator juniper in abundance. We spy a few prickly pears, cholla, and barrel cactus. The wildflowers are just barely emerging: scrambled eggs corylis and more I haven’t identified yet!

The wind was tolerable on this east side, but as we approached the pass it grew heavier. Plus rain clouds had rolled in. The final push to the pass was met with STRONG wind, rain, and a quick moment of sleet/hail. (One particularly large and sharp bit of sleet went right into my ear – OUCH!) Needless to say, we couldn’t see Las Cruces below and we didn’t stay long in such an exposed area.

Above us the whole way were the monoliths of the North and South Rabbit Ears, plus a solid white looking plug to the south that Luke finally identified through Google searching as Sugar Loaf. We thought it an appropriate name! Wide vistas to the east toward mountains of Alamagordo and just the tip of White Sands. Highway 70 could be seen cutting across the flats.

Haven't identified yet! 

At the top of the pass in the rain storm - looking west toward Cruces

Back to the house by 1:30, clean up, and at 2 we are headed downtown Las Cruces to a bookstore we saw, plus dinner out! The bookstore COAS is HUGE! Very similar to Powells according to Luke – books marked down, plus there were racks out front of double discount hardbacks – down to $3 each. Little rooms everywhere – you could get lost! Rick and I loaded up, mostly from the $3 racks. The rest was a little overwhelming, although I did find a couple recipe books that looked interesting!

We had to wait for the Little Toad Creek brewery to open at 3, so we explored a little art mall nearby – huge mosaic on the ground of the universe and some mural work on the building walls. While we waited for our order, Luke had the family fill out brackets for the Sweet Sixteen in March Madness. I did mine totally based on which mascot should defeat the other mascot. Good meal in brewery (got stickers for Zach!) and while there, Rick asked if I saw the $5 puzzles at the bookstore. NO!! So after a meal, we headed back and I picked up 8 1000 piece puzzles (one was a 4 in 1 box!) All totalled we contributed about $65 to the COAS economy!!

Back to the house to hot tub soak and then play a couple of new games to me: Forbidden Island, a cooperative game which we won...barely and then HIKER, a card game of interesting dynamics that I had a ‘come from behind’ victory on! March Madness basketball on the TV! So far I am NOT doing well!

This has been a good choice of houses – comfortable, clean, and well stocked. A few quirks, but every BnB has that!

FRIDAY, March 24

Las Cruces to Albuquerque

via Slot Canyon Drive

225 miles

We are up and packed and have the house ready to leave by 9:45 – stops for gas and Dutch Brothers (Kady!) put us on the road north at 10:15 or so. Our plan is to take exit 9 or 19 and veer off on the road to a slot canyon the waitress at Little Toad’s told us about yesterday. Luke had also found information on the web. We arrived at a gate and wide space on the road for parking around 10:45. Other cars parked was the only evidence we were in the right place, other than Google maps saying we were! No signs, no marked trailhead.

Luke had gotten started doing a little work on his Synod presentation while Kady drove and still feeling a little pressure to get moving, but he and Kady took 20 minutes to walk up the trail a little ways. The canyon itself was further than we thought, so eventually Kady and Luke went back to hit the road while Rick and I were to ‘check it out’!

It proved to be a very good slot – probably not more than a quarter mile in length at most, but quite deep at its core with steep walls embedded with layers of rocks cemented in place by time. Few boulders to climb over, so easy walking! We met a few folks heading back who had hiked on up to the ‘Lion King’ promontory. We got to the end of the slot and opted not to go further. A fun side jaunt and well worth it!

We think this is the rock the gal at the brewery called "The Lion King Rock"!  

On up the road toward Socorro, Rick driving while I got my a third angel wings finished plus a sheep on needlepoint! Knowing dinner was going to be a little later, we needed to stop at Sophia’s for sopapillas and maybe a burrito….for old times sake! Unfortunately they had run out of sopapillas, so we each got a breakfast burrito that we will finish off for breakfast tomorrow since they are HUGE! Then we turn up the road and take a quick tour through NMT, finding Jed’s house as well!

Interesting roof on Tech campus

Just south of Albuquerque, we ran into the storm that we could see brewing the entire drive north of us – and upon arrival at Luke’s the corn snow was falling! Brrr! Rick made the comment in the car around Isleta that we had ‘dropped in temperature to the forecast High for the day’ - an oxymoron I think, but accurate as the temp was 60’s for most of the drive!

Luke had already left for his Synod meeting (which proved to be good because they were shuffling the schedule around on the YAV presentation and discussion). Kady left for a cycling class and Rick and I relaxed until 6ish when all returned! Down time! Felt good!

Evening meal was falafel on pita bread – like making mid-eastern tacos! Feta cheese and dill enfused Greek yogurt, humus, cucumbers and tomatos rounded them out. Good!!

Eventually Luke and I debuted a new game he and Kady had bought but never played – HAVENS. Took awhile to figure it out – Luke eventually won! Kady did a little schoolwork while March Madness games reigned on TV. A round of S&M before we went to bed!

SATURDAY March 25

Albuquerque Old Town plus

We arise today just not sure what the day will bring! Flexible! Adventurous! I get up around 6:30 and head out to the living room to do my morning computer tasks! Kady is heading to the CycleCenter and then plans to do some schoolwork/planning for the morning/early afternoon. We need to get out of her distraction zone!!

So...it is off to the Savers Thrift store, as I need to find some new jeans. (Three years of constant jean wearing has reduced some of my pants to the rag drawer!) And...we do the store justice! I purchase 2 jeans and a pair of black pants, three shirts, and a book! Rick finds jeans and a belt. Luke finds dress pants. Unfortunately we can’t try anything on as they closed the fitting rooms. But I can return items for exchange if they don’t fit.

Luke also cruises around showing us Russ and Rachel’s new house purchase, the tennis center, and other changes since we’ve last been in town. Back for a quick snack lunch and then we are off to Old Town! That proves to be another expensive visit – we purchase gifts for the twins, Harper, Luke/Kady. Lots of new shop changes since Covid hit hard for the small merchants. The Christmas Shop has merged with the store next door and I am disappointed. Far fewer creches and far more ‘bling’. I buy NOTHING there. :(

We pick Kady up around 3 and head out west of the freeway to the Los Ranchos area and the Casa Rodena winery. We each get a ‘tasting’ stand of four wines – either red or white. However, the inside seating was full, so we had to sit outside (under a heater, but it was still a chilly wind!) Beautiful setting and parts still under construction.

Today was a sunshine day after a week of crazy cold and wind, a Saturday, and the last day of Spring Break so people are out in droves! Old Town was the busiest I’ve seen it, the winery and then our Saw Mill dinner were packed!

The Saw Mill is the converted old mill next to the tracks, now made into a permanent food center with at least a dozen separate little vendors, indoor and outdoor seating, and a event room upstairs. We ended up in a corner upstairs right outside the glass walls of the event area, and watched as tables were prepared, decorations set up, for what we guessed was either a wedding reception or the wedding also! We finally left before really knowing, but couldn’t use up a table much longer!! Fun entertainment though as we guessed and predicted!

A stop at Lowe’s enroute home to check on yucca plants for Rick and I, but we didn’t find what we wanted. Luke however, purchased a home irrigation system and parts for $15!! All on a big closeout sale!

Home to play a few games, watch a March Madness blowout, and then head to bed somewhat early!!

Sculptures in Old Town

No trip to Old Town ABQ is complete without a photo of St. Felipes

Heading into the winery

View across courtyard from our table

Sorry Kady...they brought our wine tasting out in four glass holders. 

SUNDAY March 26

Relax – Randy Family Visit – Jed!

Well, plans for today changed somewhat as we awoke to snow once again falling! And it kept falling for abit! Luke and Kady had a birthday brunch to attend from 10-12 and then we were going to meet Randy and family at a park for Costco pizza play and visiting! Change of plans! When Luke and Kady are done, Luke will pick us up for the drive out to Randy’s for a visit!

So….Rick and I had a quiet morning just chillin – TV, reading, cards, puzzles, etc! A nice break from a busy Saturday!

Naturally by 1pm the skies were cleared somewhat, but the wind was still blowing and cold! The park would not have been pleasant! All but Regan, who was working, were at the house, including 5 dogs! Jaxon had Spring Break dyed green hair! They were pretty wound up to see us. But overall, a nice 3 hour visit with hot dogs/burgers etc served in the middle!

By 4:20 or so we are headed back into ABQ to pick Jed up at the airport – his flight arrived early so he was waiting for us when we got there at 4:55.

Dinner was the artichokes we didn’t eat in Cruces, plus chicken pesto pasta, and tossed salad! Helping to clean out the fridge! I made some quick artisan bread after dinner – one loaf to take to Rusty/Anne’s and 3 to leave for bread eating Jed! And then it is GAME TIME! A round of Tesoro and doubles cribbage and Kady heads to bed (she is a working girl!) Jed, Luke, and I then tackle a cooperative action game of FLIPFLIGHT where you flip chips from the edge of the table and try to land on card to shoot down the fighter planes from the mother ship. I was not very good, but in the end, Luke put his LAST plane into the mothership and we won in the nick of time!

Bed time! For just one night Jed is sleeping in the den on an air mattress. He can have our bed the rest of the week!

Snow on the bushes outside Luke's house

Rick and Rachael in discussion!

Jaxon and Luke had a basketball challenge

No visit is complete without some trampoline time! 

The current dogs at the Rembold house...one is Regan's

MONDAY March 27

Albuquerque NM to Bluff UT (via Gallup)

311 miles (minus the 17+ miles we were towed!)

Wow. What a day that didn’t develop anything like planned! Up, packed, goodbyes to all but Jed (we said that the night before!) and we are on our way shortly before 8am. Stop for coffee and hop on I25 north at Gibson. Traffic isn’t too bad moving north and we jump on 140 for the drive west to Gallup. There traffic moving INTO town was slow moving as Luke had said, but we moved right along out of ABQ. Short stop at exit 139 to switch drivers and I take us along 140 west. Windy, temps around 35, but sun is shining and the cliffs and mesas beautiful.

Over the Continental Divide (7275’) around exit 47, a little construction, and we pull over at the Flying J, exit 39 to gas up. I had had a text from Rusty before leaving that they were headed into Blanding and would pick up the salad themselves. No reason to stop in Gallup!

But….re-entering the freeway, Rick hits one of the many potholes (tough to avoid!) and it deflates the left front tire immediately. We pull over to the side of the freeway where we sit for nearly three hours. Calls to Good Sam roadside were frustrating with no live person until auto-receiver didn’t’ work. Rick tried the compressor we packed but couldn’t get tire above 3.5 pounds pressure and we feared using up battery. Text to Luke and Jed around 11a and Luke reminds us of Toyota Care. We pull out the papers and Rick calls the number. First, a real person answered! Good start! We ask for a tow to the Toyota dealer in Gallup (second, there IS one!) Wait. Wait. Rick calls back and we are told first tow got diverted, second will be there soon. Finally, around 12:45 Michael pulls up in a big red tow truck with the flat bed on back. Prius pulled up and we pile into the cab for the drive back into town.

Michael a Navajo native from Sheep Springs, an hour north of Gallup. Not overly talkative but polite. He delivers us to the Toyota dealer around 1:15, dropping the car in the middle of the parking area outside the service entrance. Toyota Care had not called them to let them know we are coming. So...they check out the damage – unfixable tire, but rim appears undamaged. Bad news, they don’t carry tires, but will check the other two dealerships nearby. Car is jacked up on location in the parking lot and wheel taken to shop for tire. We wait in the waiting area. Rick keeps wandering into service area. The gal calls to ascertain whats happening. They found a tire (at $190 ouch!) but it hasn’t come back yet mounted. She finally gets in her golf cart and goes and gets it! We appreciate her!!

Nearly two hundred fifty dollars later, around 3:45 we are on the road again! And heeding Michael’s advice that US491 north of Gallup is very pot hole damaged for the first 10 miles! (Toyota Care will pick up tow costs, but not repair.)

Up to Shiprock (quick potty and drink break!) and then new highway on US64 to Mexican River and up 191 to Bluff. The western sun is beautiful on the mesas and rocks. The white mountain peaks to the north all glisten in the sun. Gorgeous drive. A nice way to round out a frustrating day!

We called Rusty and asked to see the house before dinner (while it is still light!) and a call to Recapture Lodge to see if we can check in late. They said our Room 24 door would be open, keys on desk, come when you can! NICE!

Rusty meets us at the construction site. It is progressing, but still much to do, especially since they have added a small? Addition – mostly when this became the year round home instead of a winter get away! Beautiful tile work in bathroom. Ceiling wood tongue and groove to be installed.  A definite SW flair.  I didn't get pictures of the outside sadly. 

Anne has dinner ready so we head over to the casita just a football field away around 7:15. . Rusty’s sister Jan will take over residency as soon as Rusty and Anne move into the new house. She is moving from California! Anne has made an artichoke/spinach pasta that is delicious!! Along with some homemade bread from a neighbor we dine in style! (I did remember to get the loaf out of the car that we made last night for them.) We sat around the small table (the casita is NOT large!) and talked until past 9:30 when Rick and I said we had to get to the hotel!

We found our Room 24 upstairs, door unlocked and the heat turned on! The latter was most welcome as it was below freezing leaving Rusty’s. The receipt for the night was also on the desk – not cheap, but downhome friendly service. When I realized there wasn’t a fridge in the room, I took the ice chest back out to the car – figured it would stay cold outside much better than in a warm room!

Read briefly and then crashed! A long, eventful day!

View out the window as I waited in the car

Getting loaded up on tow truck!

Looking back at car from tow cab

Car jacked up out in parking lot

Back on our way to Rusty's!

Didn't get a photo of Rusty's house, but one of all of us and dogs! 

TUESDAY, March 28

Bluff, UT to Brigham City, UT (via Duschesne)

439 miles

We are up around 7 (ok, 6:30 for me!) and down for breakfast – the clientel this morning was mostly folks our age discussing what hike they took yesterday and sore muscles and wondering if they were up for another hike today! Fun to listen to!

We are on our way shortly before 8am. Leaving Bluff the road cuts through a red rock canyon before opening out on to a broad plateau. In all directions we can see various mountain ranges poking up white above the juniper covered mesas. New road from Blanding to Monticello for us! And throughout the 10,000’ peaks of the Manti-LaSalle National forests loam ahead of us.

We swap drivers in Moab and gas up. Moab is busy as usual, but the traffic eases up as I near I70 and then on up toward Price. The area has received recent snows and for the rest of the day we are treated to snow in all directions, making patterns on the hills, and covering tops of the peaks with solid white. One of the prettiest drives north in a long while, as the sky is blue with a few bright white clouds.

We see some tanker semi’s coming down from Duchesne on US191, so we are assured Indian Springs pass at 9,000’ plus is open – Rick’s favorite route to avoid the Salt Lake City corridor. And what vistas we enjoy. The road is dry in most places, snow lined. Considerable truck traffic.

Over the top and then down the long oil derrick riddled valley toward Duchesne where we join US40 west toward Heber City (and up over another 8000’ pass) Again – clear roads and snowy white!

From Duchesne to Heber City we must have seen over 15 dead deer alongside the road, and maybe 3-4 live ones nearby.  Devastating. 

We stop in Heber City at the Subway to grab some sandwiches! And then north to Brigham City to the Best Western – Rick called and made the reservation before we left Subway! Arrival? 4:15pm

We find a VERY nice room with king bed and separate sitting area – second floor overlooking a flat roof – no worry of someone looking in the window and we are treated to a pretty sunset! After a 15 min workout in the fitness room, Rick finishes his Sub and I park myself in a window seat and FINISH the book I bought at the bookstore in Cruces. Quiet evening relaxing in a very comfortable room! 

Great little stone church in Blanding

The Beehive and LaSalle Mts east of Moab

On US 40  west of Duchesne

Wasatch Mt beauty

Sunset from our 2nd floor window in Brigham City

WEDNESDAY March 29

Brigham City UT to Baker City, OR

421 miles

We are up early this morning (Rick rolls out at 6:10am!)  Breakfast downstairs and we are homeward bound shortly after 7am!  Rick drives the first shift north through Tremonton and Snowville to the rest area just south of the I-86 Y to Pocatello.  Clear roads and snowy fields surround us!  Perfect! 

I take over driving at the rest area and take us across the lower part of Idaho past Twin Falls and into Mountain Home.  Just past Twin the threatening clouds finally release their rain and I am most grateful to pull over at the Wendy's - a rain snow mix, lots of trucks, etc.  We grab a bite, enough to tide us over to dinner at home, and Rick takes us west.  The rain abates and it is mostly smooth sailing until we release we don't have enough gas to comfortably get into Baker, so we stop at the Flying J in Caldwell.  A construction mess, but we get our gas and are on our way.  

My accomplishment for the day?  I got all the sheep put together, wings on a couple angels, and Mary finished.  I got done the needlepoint I wanted to finish on the trip!  (And I STILL don't like doing angel wings!) 

We stop to pick up the mail and are home by 1:30 PT (Got to turn the clock back an hour!)  Unpack and then take my dog out for a good walk!  Spur was pretty subdued upon our arrival!  Quick visit with Phil and it appears the neighborhood took very good care of him!  

TOTAL MILES 2703 (That WE drove...rode with Luke much more!)

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