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October 16, 2000
Day 4 brought me to 1655.5 miles for those collecting "unlimited pledges."
I drove 496 miles, from the western Wyoming border to the Utah border. I'm over 1/2 way to Calif.! After a good nights sleep I was feeling much better when I hit the road. Leaving I left behind the rolling open farm land, immediately, beginning the climb into the Rocky Mtns. My old 1984 RV fears of climbing mtns. were hard to shake until I got to the first big climbs around Cheyenne, WY and continuing for hundreds of miles as I crossed the Continental Divide! There were patches of snow and I could see snow covered mtn. peaks but it was a picture perfect day. As happens in the mtns., the winds were a constant struggle creating sore muscles and frayed nerves trying to stay in your lane, especially on steep hills with 18 wheelers surrounding you. Today's drive was not for the light hearted driver, however, when the new loaner RV tackeled the steep climbs my confidence soared. Hosting a "rear diesel pusher" engine it makes mtns. appear to be no more than small hills! Having driven over 40,000 miles over the past 3.5 years in the older RV this was truly "like magic" to me -- building my driving confidence with each new mountain. Thanks Coachmen!
Making good time I set my goals on Rocky Springs, WY, however, when I stopped @ a Flying J {great because they have RV islands} I looked up RV parks and found, to my dismay, that most RV parks within 200 miles had closed Sunday! One RV park 5 miles back said "open till Oct. 31st" so I was relieved. To my dismay, I exited the highway and found the gates closed "for the season" which forced me to continue on. Every RVer's nightmare quickly became apparent! There was no way to turn around and I can't back up since I tow my Nissan. As the road started winding out into the foothills, destination unknown, Hwy 80 disappeared! Panic set in and, voila, there was a small patch of gravel, making for a very tight turn around, but we made it! This created a really serious situation with only 2 hours of daylight and freezing temps expected.
Having already driven 300 tense mountain miles I was a tired. I found 1 RV park open in Evanston, WY over 200 miles away or I could stay in a Flying J or Walmart parking lot {in 30 degree temps}. Fearing staying in parking lots alone and with freezing temps the "race was on" to try to make it before dark since the mtn driving {which included construction} could be hazardous @ night. Passing the Flying J and Walmart I knew I would never sleep due to my fear of "boon docking alone" & freezing temps so I continued on. The sun was slowly sinking in the West, blinding me as it came through the windshield" but making for some breathtaking scenery! I'm happy to say I pulled in as the last light was to be had! No water hook ups were allowed due to freezing temps that were expected. Checking my propane it looked low but wasn't sure since I am just learning this new RV? I knew I had to keep the RV real warm to protect the water pipes, etc... I just hoped for the best & bundled up tight to walk Max.
Fatigued from having to drive 499 miles in 1 day due to RV park closures came quickly. I ate some leftovers and was in bed by 10 pm but was abruptly woke up at 4 am when a train {which sounded like it was coming thru the RV} came barrelling by! So much for getting some rest? I decided to get up & type my update and get ready to roll but knew I must wait till the sun comes up to avoid "black ice" on the mountain roads ahead.
Now, I'm tired due to no sleep from that dumb train and know it will be a long day. Sure hope the mountain driving is close to an end? Being a full time RVer, driving highways unknown, you just hope God is smiling down on you which, so far, he has been on this PKD Road Warrior crusade and the new RV helps for sure!
Cecilia Maida & Max
The PKD Road Warriors
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