Today we were up before the dawn. (Yes, me, before dawn!) We decided to save time by eating breakfast in our room at Motel 6, which, by the way, is a GREAT hotel. Only the things you need and none of the things you don't; clean, comfortable and economical. After taking Maggie for short walk, we were on our way by...8:45 a.m.
Well, if it's not the crack of dawn, at least it's not 7:30 p.m.!
We hadn't gone two miles before we were obligated to stop at a scenic overlook by the Snake River. We weren't very far from the site where Evil Knievel jumped over, Mom explained, adding that the spot he jumped over was much narrower. But just as deep! Looking down into the canyon, I really didn't think I would ever be interested in jumping over it on a motorcycle, no matter how narrow. But to each his own.
After that, we really did make some time. The speed limit is 75 around here, and loosely interpreted. We blasted past sagebrush, strange rock formations, lots of horses and cattle, and yes, two real live cowboys. Git along, little dogies! Too bad I couldn't get the camera out fast enough to take their pictures.
I did manage some pictures of the very stately and beautiful windmills, however...and some giant slabs of rock sticking out of a hill. This part of the country is full of interesting, strange, never-before-seen landforms for an east-coast/midwest girl. The drive I made from Iowa to Portland in 1999 was quite an experience, and I remember how amazed I was then. It's still amazing now.
I have to mention that the weather has been absolutely, unseasonably gorgeous. The highs are in the 60s and even low 70s. It's sunny and beautiful every day! I know we are incredibly lucky, and this was confirmed by a local resident who said normally around this time it's about 25 degrees. Oh, and that two weeks ago they had snow!
Even so, the weather IS holding us up a bit. It's so beautiful we are constantly tempted to stop and take pictures, and when we stop, we simply must sit a bit and take in the sun and the silence and the great, open expanse of scrabbly land and brilliant blue sky. It's tempting to just stay and BE...
but the Mitten awaits.
900 miles down, 1400 to go!
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