I frantically got ready for this trip that I had been thinking about for six months.
This is why we were able to take a road trip in mid-August. It is finally sinking in for Dan that he isn’t going back after a summer break.
We still weren’t ready on Wednesday, the day of departure. I had told Dan that we WERE LEAVING IN THE MORNING. We did, but it was almost noon before we drove out of the driveway. The plan was to drive as far as we could, not stopping at all of the California and Oregon trail markers like we usually do because we wanted more time at the other end of the trip. For that reason and because I was not the driver-in-charge I have a lot of “drive-by” photos. Many were deleted but some are OK and those are what I’ll share.
We were driving I-80. I love the scenery of the west, even in the Nevada desert. This is the Hot Springs Mountains that rise above the Fernley Sink.
According to Wikipedia, an irrigation system was constructed in the early to mid-1900s and “a drainage system was also constructed to carry away excess water and mineral salts from the farmlands. This system consists of channels (5 to 15 feet deep) dug adjacent to fields; it eventually terminates in the sink northeast of Fernley.”
We didn’t stop at all the roadside points of interest but this was at a rest stop. Throughout this trip we thought about the pioneer trails. They are well marked in the road atlases that we have for each state and along the highways. I can’t even imagine what it would have been like to pack up the family and head west in the way that the pioneers did. We drove through the 40-mile desert in a little over 1/2 hour.
The mountains east of Valmy, Nevada.
We remember Valmy for it’s rest stop where we slept on one of our road trips a couple of years ago when there was a tremendous moth invasion. We didn’t need to stop to sleep here this time. Still daylight.
Humboldt Range, southeast of Wells, Nevada.
These photos were looking back west as the sunset.
I had to lean over the seat and reach behind Dan while holding and pointing the phone and the camera in the general direction.
Even though it was getting dark we weren’t ready to stop. If we had left earlier in the day we would made it to Salt Lake City. So Dan kept driving. There is a distinct difference in the town of West Wendover (NV) and Wendover (UT). Bright flashing (gaudy) lights and Last Chance To Gamble on one side of the border and dark and “normal” on the other side. Dan kept driving. We passed through the Great Salt Lake Desert in the dark and finally stopped at a rest stop at the east side of the salt flats.
Those of you who read my blog know that I have written a sort of travel journal with photos each year for the past several years when we have made our annual road trips. I have no idea how many people actually read these, but I write these blog posts because they substitute for the old scrapbooks and photo albums that I was never able to keep up with. I also like reviewing the photos and looking up some of the information that I may have forgotten. It helps me keep it all organized in my brain. If you are one of the regular readers, I’d love to know about it. Stay tuned for Day 2.
Meridian Jacobs' Blog 
First off, I love your coffee (tea?) mug. Second, I love your photos. Great views of basin and ridge, beautiful sunset.
Thanks. Dan’s sister, also a teacher, got him that mug.
Hi Robin, Although I haven’t seen you in a very long time … I love following your blog! It’s great to hear that Dan has retired … I love the mug!!! Enjoy your road trip and keep blogging! Yolanda
Hope to see you here one of these days, Yolanda.
I love reading about your road trips! I don’t know if I will ever be able to make this kind of trip myself (family obligations) so I get a virtual trip through you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and have a wonderful trip.
Thank Diana. Part of me envies the people who get a trailer/camper and travel all over the country. But the other part of me wants to keep my animals.
I enjoy the trips because you show things I’ll never get to see and you do it in an interesting way.
Thanks. I don’t even have the desire to leave this country because there is so much to see here. Well maybe if someone gave me a ticket to Australia…
Hey, cuz…. regular reader here!
Hey Rinda,
Maybe we’ll get to Washington next time. I think I’m supposed to let Dan choose next year. We talked about Washington a few years ago but then Katie had a baby and Texas won out.
Robin,
I was so happy to read another blog post. Your photos are gorgeous and I love your comments about them. I admire your sense of adventure and energy!!!
Please keep on blogging for all of us arm chair travelers…..
Take care,
Peggy
Hi, Robin — I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now, and this post simply blew me away! Your photos are simply stunning…thanks for sharing them! I am an American, living mostly in Australia now due to Aussie husband and 95-year-old MIL, but we have a home in Glen Ellen, too, and are there a few months each year. I used to blog quite a bit, but have found the insidious Facebook taking over my time! Please keep blogging, as I love to read what you write and see your incredible pics! All the best, Dianne
Thanks Dianne. I’ll take a look at your blog too. I’m not that far from Glen Ellen if you ever want to check out our farm when you’re back in the U.S.
Oh, I forgot to leave a link to my mostly defunct blog, so here it is in case you want to have a look: http://californiagirlinoz.blogspot.com.au
Robin, I love your posts! Read each and every one. As a armchair traveler, I count on your posts. Please keep on posting!
Thanks. I’m behind on this trip already because I’m so busy here. I have hundreds of photos to sort through. I want to do it before I start forgetting stuff.
Of course I read your blog! Great pictures as always. I do like your idea of an atlas of each state, you get so much more detail of what’s around you.
Thanks for asking! I love your travel journals as well as your regular blog entries. Your distinct voice and your enthusiasm for life shine through. Besides, I get to go places I haven’t been and see them at a very personal level.