Michael and Vicki (and Mollie) went over the mountain ...

And boy did we see stuff!

Now that we are actually in SLC and facing the major task of unpacking boxes and figuring out what goes here, I hope to resume the more normal content of this blog. For now, one more trip related narrative.

For those of you who are asking why I am doing this instead of unpacking, don't ask. I had need to get on-line to make travel reservations for a wedding in Georgia and decided to update. Besides, my primary function in this process is to move boxes from one room to the next - most of them already in place - and to reach top shelves - V has a ladder.

** In Nebraska, I saw wind socks on highway overpasses. My first thought was one of fear. What kind of airplane would be tempted to land here? Do I need to watch for that in addition to all of these wack-o drivers? Then, finally, it hit me. The wind socks are designed to alert watchful drivers to the strength and direction of cross-winds. Good thing, I guess, because we fought a 25-30 mph cross-wind across the length of Nebraska.

** Back to Illinois. In the southern part of the state is a small college, Rend Lake College. On the interstate is a billboard advertising the Rend Lake College Golf Outlet Shop. I have never before seen a College operate a retail outlet besides its official bookstore. I wonder whether they have a major in PGA studies.

** Somewhere in the heart of America, I saw a Stuckey's which I identify with the quintessential All-American experience, sitting next to an "Adult Superstore." That juxtaposition may be more in line with contemporary America than I would like to admit.

** We missed all of the major storms in all of the states we travelled. However, as we were approaching Cheyenne, we were hit with 70+ mph wind gusts. I am certain extra years were added to my time in cosmic punishment for some of the things I was saying to myself as I wrestled the steering wheel of the U-Haul.

** We finally saw tumbleweeds in their native environment across Nebraska and Wyoming. I hope they were in season because we crushed quite a few.

** The serpentine climbing drive out of Cheyenne was quite beautiful and the rapid descent into Laramie was some kind of scary. I am glad I do not have to do that again.

** The best sight on the trip was on I-80W when I saw "Exit 129 - Parley's Way and Foothill Drive." That meant we had arrived.