W. Wendover, NV

Gee, it seems like it was only yesterday that we were here in W. Wendover on the start of our journey back East.  Actually, it was almost a month ago, only this time the temperature is 97 degrees and not freezing cold.  Amazing what a difference several weeks can make.

First, we'd like to wish Tim a Happy Birthday - sorry we weren't there to celebrate on your actual day, but we celebrated a little earlier in the week. 

Today we travelled across the wide open prairie of Wyoming, admiring the wide open spaces and making much better time than the pioneers did on their trip west. We would have counted antelope, but that would have put us to sleep - not good when you're going 75 mph on I-80.  Easy driving - not much in the way of mountains until we got to Utah.  Did cross the continental divide several times at varying altitudes, but mostly around 6500' to 7500'.  As we crossed into Utah, it got a little more scenic.  It's beautiful coming through Echo Canyon - downhill all the way.  Off to the side, you could see the old road which was the Mormon Trail.

The Mormons came through here starting in 1846 after travelling from Illinois.  At least they had the sense to stay in Utah and forego the hardships experienced by those pioneers who continued on through Nevada to California.  After going through Park City, we dropped down into Salt Lake City and saw the vast expanse of SLC and the great salt lake. Traversed the flat land around the south end of the great salt lake and arrived in the mountains surrounding W. Wendover.  We could have continued on into Reno, but we had been on the road long enough.  Tomorrow is another day and we can arrive back in Reno rested and relaxed.

Looking forward to being back home!