1,533 miles. Leaving Joliet on Friday morning April 17th. We will do this stretch over 5 days driving about 300 miles each day. Following the interstates 80, 76, & 70 West; taking Utah Route 89 South. Why are we going to Hatch? Will tour Bryce & Zion National Parks. Then on to Las Vegas to visit brother Mike & Greta.
Bad weather is forcast to hit the Rockies on Friday & Saturday. Studying the routing we did; oh well if they close I 70 because of snow we decided we would just wait it out. Planned not to stop at any RV parks on this leg of the trip. We boondock when we can. The motor home can handle it and we save a few dollars.
Our first night was camp Wally: Super Wal Mart, Newton, Iowa. In the heart of Iowa corn farming. Had a great view looking right into a farming landscape to the East. It was a warm afternoon & every body was coming in to town. The ground is still too wet to till...planting time is just a few days away.
Leaving Newton this AM we drove through Omaha, Nebraska; then on to Kearney Ne. for the night. Well the rain started and it rained for most of the morning. We still enjoyed our ride through the farming country. Arriving in Kearney we elected to boondock at Cabela's Store parking lot which they let you do. The store is about 1 mile East of town in a level farming area. Union Pacific's main rail line East to West is right across the highway. Later in the afternoon the clouds gathered above & soon lighting struck & hail began to hit for a short period. Each time a loaded coal train passed the ground shook. Would you believe neither of us heard or felt the trains during the night.
On to Sterling, Colorado about 135 miles East of Denver. We were getting reports that I 70 was closed on Saturday. Arriving at Camp Wally in Sterling we found a nice parking space for the night. Over the TV the weather reports from Denver were reporting it had warmed up & flooding was occurring in some spots. Good news for us.
This Monday morning we passed through Denver around 10:30 & headed West toward Loveland Pass.
Road reports were all roads open. Pat was able to capture all of the photos while we were driving. The mountain landscape was breath taking. As old trucker's would say the road was dry & dusty.
A stop in Rifle, Co at a road side rest we were able to empty our waste water & take on a new supply of water. Mid afternoon we arrived at Grand Junction, Co. Camp Wally had posted signs, no over night parking. So we looked for a plan B location. On the West side of town there was a developing industrial park. The roads were in...our spot for the night. We had protection from a patrolling sheriff.
An easy drive the next day to the high desert town of Hatch, Utah. Will be touring Bryce this afternoon.
Until next time wish you were here. Roger & Pat
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