I made if home for Christmas after one of the worst drives I’ve had in a long time. I was always trying to drive ahead of some weather system or just keep driving through it. I missed a big snow storm in the Northeast and I drove as fast as I could to get in as much driving before more ice and snow hit the Midwest. Wyoming was the worst, usually is. Elk Mountain on I-80 must not have any weather stations or no one cares what the weather is up there because I can look on the internet at three different weather sites and they all say everything is fine on I80 through Wyoming.
I Hate Driving in the Snow
It wasn’t really snowing, but the high winds (thankful for the 42,000 lbs in the trailer to keep me on the road) blew the snow that was there, not only across the road, but high enough to block everyone’s vision. It was worse than fog. There were times I could barely see the hood of my truck. Thankfully, I was able to stop in time when I saw a stopped truck in front of me. Most everyone drove real slow and kept in contact on the radio.
When I stopped at the Little America later that night, the story on the CB was that I-80 going east was closed because of the white out, trucks collided and someone died. I couldn’t find a news report, but Elk Mountain probably doesn’t get much press either. No one cares about that place except for the Elk and Antelopes.
I made it to my delivery a day ahead so I wouldn’t have to drive far if there was any weather. Good plan, because there was. After delivering, I’m heading west to drop the trailer before heading south. I chained up for Donner’s then sat in a traffic jam for two hours because of some wreck up ahead.
I Hate Traffic, Driving in the Snow and Snow Chains
Because of the wreck everyone was bunched together, so the de-chaining area was packed. Trucks and cars were using the regular shoulder so the rest of us had to drive in the left lane to keep from killing someone. Of course there were a few idiots that just saw an empty lane and used it. I stopped one place, didn’t like it because traffic was too close. I drove a little further, found an off ramp and pulled off enough so I was out of the slow lane, but blocking the on ramp a little. At least, the percentage was smaller that someone was actually going to use that off ramp. What a mess.
No More Mama Mia in Las Vegas
The rest of the trip was a piece of cake after that. And now after working in Phoenix last weekend and I’m picking up the closing of Mama Mia in Vegas this week I’m thankful not only for being home, but for not being in the weather. Even though it snowed in Vegas last week, it’s all gone, it’s still cold (for around here). Here’s some video of the snow in Las Vegas in case you missed it.
Cindy had always wanted to see Mama Mia, so a couple of years ago on Valentines Day we went and saw it and had a great time.