Salt Lake City, looking toward Little Cottonwood Canyon and Alta Ski Mountain, where Rob lived - and lived to ski - right after college.  We hold many happy memories of visiting and skiing with him!

 

DAYS 17 & 18

TRUCKIN' TOWARD HOME

You know, there is something about turning homeward that changes the mindset.

We would not change one stop or one visit along our journey - this trip is one out of a dream - but, once the nose of the wagon turns eastward,

so do our hearts long for Maine - and home.

We have one more very special stop - in Chicago -  to spend a bit of time with Rob and Emily.  That is what I call the perfect culmination - to hang out with your kids on their turf!

Who could be more blessed than we!

 

Day 17 took us out of California, through beautiful Nevada (near Lake Tahoe where we have also visited Rob), and across the vast salt flats of Utah.  Spectacular mountains rise on each side of pancake flat Salt Lake City.  The contrast of terrains is so dramatic that the mountains don't look real. I have always felt that an artist must have dropped down a canvas for special effect.  

 

Another Nevada highlight was passing through OASIS, NEVADA - POPULATION  29!

(Oasis makes my hometown of Dixie, Georgia seem like downtown Atlanta!)

Day 18 led us into Nebraska - a first-time state for us.  Nebraska is one wide state - matter of fact we're still in it today.  I will remember mile after flat mile of lush green cornfields, now beginning to tassel out.  LOVE THOSE FARMLANDS!

 

There are many unique things about the West - two that we have not mentioned: trains and windmills.  

 

Yes, trains are alive and well in the West!  Everywhere railroads - everywhere trains going both directions, are hauling - you name it - EVERYTHING - from coal to oil to livestock to cars.  And they are LONG - REEEAAALLLY LONG - hundreds of cars - pulled  (and pushed) by two - sometimes three - engines.  Couldn't see the other end many times.  Bob says invest in the railroad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look for the train in the lower right corner.

In addition to trains, massive windmill towers have graced hundreds of hilltops in most every state.  I particularly remember them, mile after mile, standing watch  over us from high ridges along the Columbia River.

It's hard to capture the hundreds that were there. 

 i

 We send love to each of you.

Look for me to sign on again after Chicago