Today is the day, the day I hit the road.
At 7 p.m. EST I set out on a journey across 5 states (6 included my destination) to end in Logan, UT. It was a spur of the moment thing, I had planned on leaving around 1 a.m then driving to Iowa City, IW (which is about 8hrs away) and resting for a few hours, but I changed my plans.
I loaded up the car with the last of my belongings, cat and dogs included and pulled out of my parent's driveway.
But before I could leave Ohio, I had to make one pit stop....Meijer! I had to buy some dog food or Buster and Tigger would have never forgiven me. So after that stop we were on our way. It was still my plan to drive to Iowa City, but this meant that I would be a bit head of schedule, so I would try and drive further. Alas, my plan didn't work :( . I didn't make it all the way to Iowa City, but rather to Davernport, IA. I did something that I was told I shouldn't do, even though it didn't bother me. That was sleep in my van at the first rest stop I came to. I could have stopped at a Motel and spent like 40 some odd dollars, and then left my animals alone in the car, but heck no! We all cuddled up in the van with doors locked and window cracked for fresh air. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Day Two April 2, 2009
8:00 A.M.
The next morning I was awaken by some anxious puppies that really needed to go outside and wanted to eat. So I fed the puppies took them for a walk then loaded them back up in the van once more.
Once we were all buckled in I pulled out of my spot and joined the others on I-80 heading west. Where all those people were headed, who knows, but I knew where I was headed too. Around 11:00 I noticed that I was going to need some gas, and get some water for the puppies and food for me. That was when God pointed me to the World's Largest Truck stop!
One place the Vincent had told me that I must stop and try was Taco Johns. Well, I was in luck because this truck stop had a Taco Johns right there! Who would have guessed it! So I walked in, walked over to the ATM and pulled out some cash. I went and ordered my food and then went and got some water for the dogs and cat and some chips for me to munch on as I drove(those chips and the soda I had in the car is what kept me going the rest of the night and early morning). By the time I was done with that my food was ready, I picked it up and went out to the van. As I filled the gas tank I gave the dogs some water and I munched on my food. Sadly, I wasn't that impressed with Taco Johns, and the rest of what was left became a snack for Buster. But please, don't take my opinion try Taco Johns for yourself, you may like it.
Now back on the road yet again. I think I was determined to make it all the way to Logan, Utah that day or night. After a few hours I finally made it out of Iowa and into the very boring, very flat part of Nebraska. The first 3/4's of Nebraska reminded me of Kansas, so we went even talk about that part. The cool part came when I stop at my last rest stop in Nebraska, finally off to my left (to the south) it was no longer FLAT! Off in the distance I could see what looked like the beginning of large hills, maybe small mountains. I was so amazed, and Vincent reminded me to take random pictures I did. I took some pictures of the rest area and some pictures of what I saw off in the distance.
After I was done with my picture taking I put the dogs back into the van and started her up and joined others on I-80. I was getting closer to home and I was so excited! I had figured with the pace I was going that I should hit Logan, UT around 1 or 2 in the morning. I figured that would be fine, Vincent would be at work and it would allow me time to get this set up at our new apartment and rest some before he got home. The sunset I saw was beautiful as I inched closer to Wyoming. It was a little after 6 pm when I got into Wyoming and I started getting sleepy. I figured I would stop and get out and walk around at the next stop and that should help me out. Well, I stopped at a rest stop between Cheyenne and Laramie. Once I stopped my eyes got really heavy, I knew that if I fell asleep that I wouldn't make it that night. I called Vincent and told him where I was, he told me to take it easy, not to push myself. I laid down thinking I would just rest for a little bit, but I fell asleep. I think I rested for about and 1 ½ before I woke up. Still tired I just couldn't sleep, and on top of that hearing the weather report of SNOW kinda scared. Vincent, told me that sometimes they close I-80 if the snow is really bad, so I didn't want to get stuck somewhere. I was making pretty good time and there was no real snow, matter of fact, it was rain instead. Rain is good, I can drive in rain with no issues. It wasn't until I got to Rawlins and I filled up with gas that I ran into the dreaded snow. From there out it was snow off and on, and at night in the mountains of Wyoming, not a fun drive for me.
