Rocky Mountains by Cindy

Well, it was bound to happen.  My turn to drive and the Rocky Mountains only 100 miles away.  I said to Wayne "Are you sure I am ready for this?"  praying he would say no and offer to drive. Instead he said " Cindy your making way too much of it and you’ll do just fine "  He went off to sleep and I was not looking forward to this type of driving.  So things started out OK and the curves were fine as long as I slowed down.  Climbing up some of the hills were slow but like the other trucks I stayed in the right lane.  Then the curves got tighter and the speed limits were going up and down depending upon the curves.  I had to use both the engine brake and the air brakes when going down hill.  The signs were saying watch for falling rocks and then another one said watch for animals crossing.  Good Grief,  I have enough going on without any animals jumping in front of me.  Then Wayne wakes up and asks how is it going?  Since I am not enjoying any of this I replied, "How do you think?"  He
said slow it down a little more and down shift to 9th gear and hold so the breaks will not wear down.  Of course I had to ask since it had been a while, please explain the procedure for that maneuver.  Not good timing for learning and oh did I forget to mention it was pitch black and I think they need to repaint the lines for the lanes as I was having trouble finding them.  Finally, we had to stop for the weigh station and when I came back out to the truck I asked Wayne if he would please finish as we had about 20 miles left to Denver.  He was more than happy to take over.  Thank Goodness!!