Well, we are working really hard to catch up and keep current on our blog posts during our family road trip around the western U.S. Our Day 10 was defined by driving and then more driving, followed by a little more driving.
We departed Billings, Montana at 10AM and drove 520 miles through Wyoming and into the north-east corner of Utah (Jensen, Utah). It was a long day of driving and we have to appreciate the kids for being super-troopers on this long drive. Yes, they have iPads to play with, but they have taken more interest in drawing and coloring books, so we have been picking up more crayons, markers, and coloring books along the way. On a full-day drive, each kid wil color in a complete book and do some nice work given the confines and sometimes bumpy ride in the Jeep.
Of course yesterday's drive was especially long as we were driving all back roads, slowing down for each small town and sometimes getting stuck behind a big rig; however, those big rigs can really move along at a good pace, so you have to keep a lookout for them as sometimes they'll come up on your rearend and turn up the heat.
We drove through Flaming Gorge, which may be a less known spot on your map, but quite beautiful and worth a drive on your next road trip. There is a large lake and Dam as well as the beauty of Flaming Gorge itself. Something tells me that these parts are less discovered than other places like Grand Canyon that get overrun with tourists, so keep this one a secret, OK?
While I could talk about the crazy weather we experienced driving across Wyoming and into Utah, which included wicked rain, I'm taking full-speed windshield wipers (and still could not see), as well as the most incredible spaghetti lightening, and wind so strong it was blowing us onto the shoulder of the road at some points, I'll tell you that there were not many places to get a decent meal on this route, so we finally gave in and ate at Wendy's drive-thru.
While most of us ate, due to just being hungry, our little mouse was on a food boycott. I think the long drive had gotten to him and he needed a break. So, we pulled off along the two-lane highway along Flaming Gorge so both kids could stretch their legs. This roadside break for the kids quickly turned into a roadside competition with them running laps around the Jeep. And as the Mouse completed each of his laps, he took one or two bites of his hamburger which had him feeling happy.
To spice up this roadside event, we decided to do some good 'ol fashioned airhorn pulling with the truckers that were passing by. I remember doing this when I was a kid and I think that most people have forgotten about this and how much fun it can be for the kids and for the truckers. Check it out here...
Here are a few more pictures from Day 10, including the dam, bridge, and Flaming Gorge. The pictures don't do justice for this beautiful place, so take my word for it and put this route on your next road trip, just don't tell anybody else that this beautiful place exists!
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