Get behind the wheel & drive!

The hotel I stayed at in Lander, WY was SUPER quiet so Cody finally came off guard duty and relaxed and slept! Ahhhhhhhh.


After loading the car fighting a very strong wind, I drove out of Lander, WY listening to Car Talk, which was playing a snippet of a song with lyrics, "get behind the wheel and drive." I had to laugh.

I passed Sacajawea's grave site driving through Fort Washakie.


Not long after I started to ascend Togwotee Pass the snow on side of the road increased and the rain changed to a wintry mix. I started seeing storm ready signs along the side of the road. I was pondering if I could make two suitcases of summer clothes storm ready if I needed, when I passed a van on the side of the road and a policeman signaling for people to slow down. The driver of the van was standing on the side of the road in shorts and t-shirt. The policeman was wearing a winter jacket and a hat. Given my temperature gauge was reading 34 degrees, I am thinking the policeman wins the appropriately dressed for conditions award. Although, I am sure the van driver had no intent of ending up in the ditch near the top of the Pass. I crossed the Continental Divide at 9,658 ft. About this time I should have had a breathtaking view of the Tetons, but, alas, the majestic mountains were hiding behind the clouds. Coming down was more construction! Fortunately for Cody - no rumble strips, just a long a line of cars. Cody had his head out the window the whole time. Of course, this time, I had the heat cranked and his window open. Ah, again, the things I do for that dog!

As I was driving through the Park making my way to Jackson, WY a Buffalo and her baby ran across the road. I about peed myself I was so excited!! I was hoping to get a picture, but they had disappeared into the woods.

After driving through Jackson, WY, which resembles NOTHING of what I remember as a kid, I made my way up and over the Teton Pass (Hwy 22). I have to add this description of Jackson from a friend of mine, "it is like disney land for high rollers." YUP that sums it up!

I didn't stop a lot this trip as it was rainy or snowy and cold. I made it to Boise around 7:30 p.m. and am staying in a VERY NICE hotel that I believe is cheaper than some of the not so nice places I have stayed. Another quiet night! Tonight was Cody's first time on an elevator. I have never seen a dog flatten himself the way he did when the elevator started to move. I have seen a cat do it, but not an 80 pound Golden!




Tomorrow I head to West Linn, OR to start a new chapter in my life! The new job starts Monday and house/apartment hunting the following weekend. It has been a great drive west! I am so glad I did it!!

For more photos click on the Journey west link. I will post more once I get internet access again!

Thanks for reading!! It was such a great way for me to capture my travels!

Highlights and playlist:

• Be Bear Aware. Food Storage Required.
• Potato Museum. How exciting! I didn't stop, but this rates up there with the Salt Mines in Nova Scotia.
• Bibles at Cost.
• Drove through Idaho Falls. I lived there for 3 years, 8-11. I am glad we didn't stay. An interesting town. I did have a Starbucks at the Fred Meyers.
  

I didn't listen to a lot of music today. Mostly Pema talks and silence. I liked the silence as I was going over the mountain passes.
Tears for Fears, BB King, Replacements, Eric Clapton, & k.d. lang