Between California and Colorado

I left home on April 3, about 8:30 in the morning. It was a very odd morning; getting ready for the day, packing up my bedding and last minute items felt strange. My heart was pounding and I was constantly on the verge of tears, of course.  Once we had everything in my car, Dad gave me a father's blessing, I got my last hugs, and I got in the car and drove away. Very much the hardest thing I've ever done. Looking back on it, I don't see how I managed it.

The two men in my life taking care of me, making sure the car was as well packed as possible.

They did an incredible job.

I cried all through the first hour of my trip, which was dangerous, seeing as how I was on one of the curviest roads I know...still, I made it to Auburn and made the turn onto I-80. I got to Sparks, NV, my first gas stop, and texted Dad that I had made it that far, and here was his response:  "Miss you too. Keep going." Keep going!? All I wanted was to turn around and go home, and he's telling me to keep going!? A terrible thought, but he was right. I had to keep going. So I did. I kept driving. I have to do this one thing at a time, so I kept going.

First I went to see Grandma Clawson in Twin Falls, ID. She had warm rolls ready and a shoulder to cry on. We had a really good talk together, and I'll keep her advice as I begin this new time in my life. She showed me her emboidery project, and since I had all my stuff with me, I went out to the car and got mine to show to her.  She says I'm crazy and she's glad it's not her doing it. (Its a complicated project.) We laughed and talked and looked up my route on in her road atlas. Stopping to be with her was a good thing to do and I'm glad I did. In the morning, I got up and started on the road to Natalie's house in Rexburg.

We also had a really good visit together. I meant only to stay a couple nights, but Mo was having his premiere and, of course, I had to stay to see his project! Click here to see his interview on youtube, and here to see more on the project's blog.

Poor Zuki was feeling pretty sick while I was there, but I still adored every minute of my visit. Natalie was an incredibly patient mommy with her incredibly demanding sick little girl. We spent a lot of time talking on the couch over Zuki's zonked out body. I was in quite a state myself and cried almost as much as Zuki did. Poor Natalie! Having to console her baby and her emotional big sister...I don't blame her for leaving me on my own to go take a nap on my last afternoon!  Those few days with Natalie were precious, precious days to me. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. 

Of course, most of what I got on camera was video, so here are some images from some of it (video to follow in another post--someday) taken between naps:

Zuki picking Mommy's nose

Eskimo kisses

Yes, she knows she's beautiful.

So, after a few days with the wonderful Mqomboti Family, I (tearfully) set off on Thursday morning, April 8, for Denver. It was a long, lonely drive. It started out quite lovely, driving through the beautiful Teton National Forest. (Yellowstone country). 

I crossed into Wyoming and had a couple more hours through pretty countryside, but then it turned flat and empty.

 

Crossing into Wyoming.

Because Grandma told me to if I got the chance, I stopped to stretch (and to eat the yummy chicken salad sandwich Natalie sent with me for lunch)  at a memorial for the pioneers on the Oregon Trail.

It reads: "SAND SPRINGS- A STOP ON THE OREGON TRAIL. This site is a crossing of the Lander cut-off, the northern fork of the Oregon Trail. Originally called the Fort Kearny- South Pass- Honey Lake Wagon Road when it opened in 1858, it was the first federally-funded road project west of the Mississippi River.  F.W. Lander mapped this new route, shortening the trip to the Pacific by 5 days and avoiding a ferry crossing to the south where price gouging was alleged. Sand Springs was the only reliable water available to emigrants between Muddy Creek, 8 miles to the east, and the New Fork River, 10 miles to the west. Until the coming of the Railroad in 1869, up to 300 wagons, thousands of cattle, horses, and mules may have passes here in a day. The trail ruts visible behind this sign and continuing over the next ridge are reminders of the largest known voluntary migration in world history.  From homesteading in the 1880's until the use of the automobile in the 1920's, Sand Springs remained an important watering hole for travelers and stock on the North/South New Fork to Rock Springs Wagon Road."

wagon ruts- an awesome sight, especially seeing for myself how barren the land is surrounding the trail.

I was utterly alone, hearing nothing but the wind as I stood by the trail. I was glad to get back in my car and speed onward with my journey. There was one more memorial on the way. A tombstone marker, not a grave, but to stand as a monument "to all pioneers who passed this way to win and hold the west.  Route of Sublette cut-off from Big Sandy to Bear River. Travelers after 1843 by emigrants to Oregon and California." Erected in 1947.

After this stop, I drove the rest of the long barren way to Cheyenne, WY, my last stop for gas before reaching Denver. It was a frustratingly dull drive through Wyoming. I honestly think I prefer the drive through Nevada! I totally wanted to get a picture of the welcome to Colorado sign, but it came right after entering the freeway from Cheyenne, and I think I was navigating between big rigs and I missed it. Oh well.

My route from Placerville, CA: about 1,400 miles, 24 hours driving time, $148 worth of gas,

12 discs of my favorite book on CD, and thousands of tears to Denver, CO.

A)Placerville B)Twin Falls C)Rexburg D)Denver.

I got through the city okay, but the GPS my friend lent me was programmed for the street, not the address, so it got me off the freeway and announced "you have reached your destination." I suddenly had to call upon all my powers to not freak out, found a place to stop and properly program my destination, and drove the rest of the way to my new apartment complex. I did have to call my friend and now roommate, Kelley, to help me towards the end, but I got here safe and sound, and she was waiting for me with a huge smile and a hug.

To Be Continued...