As we continue on the road in the month of March there was no sign of winter. Could it be that we were like Rip Van Winkle and slept through winter? I know that they say that as you grow older time passes by faster. If this is the case, slow down ..please.
Here we head into the Big Walker Tunnel. These tunnels amaze me as to the that went engineering into making them. If there weren't the tunnels then it would have to be up and over the mountains.
The tunnels aren't very long and are well lighted. I guess it is for those who are wearing sunglasses during the day, and forget to take them off.
I wonder how long it took them to lay the tiles that are along the walls of the tunnel? It would be interesting to find out. Something to save for another day.
Some of the sunsets are so full of color. They aren't as bright with fire as those in the west. There are more purple and pinks in the clouds.
Soon we found ourselves in St. Louis, Missouri. The St. Louis Arch has always been my favorite structure to see from the Interstate. No matter how many times we pass it I find a different view to take a picture of it.
There is a park at the base of the Arch along the St. Louis River. One day I would like to be able to take the tour to the top of the arch. They say that from there you can see for miles. Last year the arch was closed for a few weeks. The elevator that takes you to the top, quit working and a few tourists were stranded. There are steps to take you back down, but I think it would take a person just a little bit of time to get to the bottom.
Finally we are passing through Dalhart, Texas. This is a quaint town and a lot of charm.
Some of the streets are made with cobble stones. It gives the area an "old world" charm about it.
As you can see from this picture, there are no mountains to be found in Texas. Just a lot of blue sky.
As you can see there is not hint of winter anywhere, except that the trees are bare of foilage. Some are starting to get buds on them, early than normal.
A few days later we are in New Mexico. This is where we found a little bit of winter. On the mountains there is a dusting of snow. The snow isn't so much of a problem on the roads. It is the ice that forms when it melts and the temperatures turn cold enough for it to freeze.
This is what can happen if you don't respect the roads in the winter time. Just before we came upon this accident. There was a car that was in too much of a hurry to be behind a truck and tried to pass us and then cut in front of the truck at speeds that would be ok on dry roads, but not on roads we were on that day. Needless to say they put on their brakes and ended up doing a 180 in front of us into the left lane. There was no need for anything that happened to them, if they would have been just patient and took their time. Thank goodness there was no one hurt, just the driver might have had to change his pants. I looked down at the car as we passed and the girl in the back seat was looking up at me and mouth the words, I am ok. Maybe next time the driver will have a little more respect for the road conditions.
We have pass over the Contiental Divide so many times. Have you ever wondered just what is the Continental Divide?
The Continental Divide of the Americas, also called the Great Divide, separates the watersheds of the Pacific Ocean from those of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. It runs from the Seward Peninsula in Alaska, through western Canada along the crest of the Rocky Mountains, including through Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park to New Mexico. From there, it follows the crest of Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental and extends to the tip of South America. It is crossed by the Panama Canal and by the two outlets of Isa Lake in Yellowstone National Park
As you can see there is not hint of winter anywhere, except that the trees are bare of foilage. Some are starting to get buds on them, early than normal.
This is what can happen if you don't respect the roads in the winter time. Just before we came upon this accident. There was a car that was in too much of a hurry to be behind a truck and tried to pass us and then cut in front of the truck at speeds that would be ok on dry roads, but not on roads we were on that day. Needless to say they put on their brakes and ended up doing a 180 in front of us into the left lane. There was no need for anything that happened to them, if they would have been just patient and took their time. Thank goodness there was no one hurt, just the driver might have had to change his pants. I looked down at the car as we passed and the girl in the back seat was looking up at me and mouth the words, I am ok. Maybe next time the driver will have a little more respect for the road conditions.
As I was looking up the information on the divide, I found that there are different divides. I have seen the sign for the Eastern Continental Divide, but never gave it much thought.
The Eastern Continental Divide separates the watershed of the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean. It runs from the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania along the Appalachian Mountains to the tip of Florida. The city of Atlanta sits atop this divide.
Doing this blog, I learn something each time I write it. Just a little triva for those who care.
We usually stop at the rest area in Lupton, Arizona. It is right on the border of Arizona and New Mexico. There is a truck stop right along the state lines and you can either pay the Arizona price or go to the pumps on the New Mexico side and pay that price.
As you enter the rest area and look up to the mountain there you see a bald eagle and elk up on a ledge. At first sight you think they are real, but they aren't. It is beautiful to see each time we stop. On the Indian Reservations you see the pride in their heritage in one form or another.
When we came into Flagstaff, Arizona we had our first and last "taste" of winter. From the way the snow was on the trees, it looked as if there was a lot of water content in the snow. That would be good, since there has been so little snow or rain in the area for the past few years. Even the Evergreens, look like they could use a good drink of water.
For awhile we were in the sunshine and then the further we went West towards Flagstaff, Arizona the sun disappeared and the snow began. And as usual, where there is snow, there is a truck on its side
or off in the median, stuck in the snow. The towing bill can start at two thousand dollars, depending on the region and the type of tow involved. My husband said that the towing company can charge just five hundred dollars just to show up. Now I know why there are so many of what they call "Big Berthas" great big tow trucks), that are on the interstates.
As you can see the snow kept on coming down. This is what a truck driver deals with in the winter time. They make sure that your grocery store is stocked with food and the bars have their beer. Has anyone stopped to think what would happen if the trucking industry decided that they weren't going to deliver the goods? This country would come to a sudden standstill and nothing would be able to function. Kind of a scary thought. So maybe the next time you get behind a slow moving truck and want to "flip him off" you might want to thank him for doing his job.
While we were at the TA truck stop in Las Vegas getting fuel, I happened to look over and this is what I saw. I had to take this picture, for my older grandsons, because they have dogs that are Boxers. This dude was just "chill'n out" waiting for his master to come back.
It's a dogs life..so to speak.
The Eastern Continental Divide separates the watershed of the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean. It runs from the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania along the Appalachian Mountains to the tip of Florida. The city of Atlanta sits atop this divide.
Doing this blog, I learn something each time I write it. Just a little triva for those who care.
We usually stop at the rest area in Lupton, Arizona. It is right on the border of Arizona and New Mexico. There is a truck stop right along the state lines and you can either pay the Arizona price or go to the pumps on the New Mexico side and pay that price.
As you enter the rest area and look up to the mountain there you see a bald eagle and elk up on a ledge. At first sight you think they are real, but they aren't. It is beautiful to see each time we stop. On the Indian Reservations you see the pride in their heritage in one form or another.
Just before you enter the parking area for the rest area there is a line up of old cars. Some of them I remember from when I was little and my grandfather or dad drove. And there are a few that I have drove too. Oh, to be old and remember the "Good 'ol days."
When we came into Flagstaff, Arizona we had our first and last "taste" of winter. From the way the snow was on the trees, it looked as if there was a lot of water content in the snow. That would be good, since there has been so little snow or rain in the area for the past few years. Even the Evergreens, look like they could use a good drink of water.
For awhile we were in the sunshine and then the further we went West towards Flagstaff, Arizona the sun disappeared and the snow began. And as usual, where there is snow, there is a truck on its side
The skyline of the Las Vegas Strip has changed over the years. One day a hotel will be there and the next...poof...it is gone. They have blown the thing up and replaced it with a new hotel.
Now you can go to Paris, Venice, Mandalay Bay and stay on the same street. Just a few miles from each other, is the difference.
One thing for sure, I know I am back home is when I see Sunrise Mountain. It is one thing that will always remain the same, it is the mountain.
Well me made it home for a drive by, and heading for California. I just love to go to what I call "peopleville"..not. There is just too much traffic and people there for me. I like the quiet back roads and small towns.
So, until next time remember to stay safe and maintain the distance.
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