A Storm for Each State

Day 12 Photo Album

September 14, 2009

The weather predictions proved correct and I was thankful for the Kamping Kabin at the KOA in Lyman.  It rained pretty hard for a short time late at night.  The campground was in the midst of surprising green and a few trees.  An oasis in the Wyoming scrub.

My day began in calm weather, brilliant sun, and very soon the land began to rise and become very interesting with red and white rock formations.  Canyons opened to traffic and the insidious construction as I quickly moved into Utah. 

Off in the distance I spotted a spectacular storm system.   As it turns out, you see the weather for hours before you encounter it.  All was beautiful and cheery until I got to Salt Lake.  I stopped to photograph the lake and the temperature was 85 degrees.  Ten minutes later I was being tossed about by the wind, the rain was pummeling down and the temperature had dropped to 60 degrees.  For the next hour the temperature would jump or drop between 55 and 74 in a matter of minutes.  The rain and wind were so fierce I couldn’t take both hands off the wheel.  Very early into my adventure I came upon a semi-trailer tossed over and twisted by the wind.  Two trucks, one in front and one in back of the wreck, had stopped to assist the overturned truck.  I couldn’t tell if there was injury and could barely look too long as I needed to keep my eyes on the road.

About an hour and a half later, several people at the rest stop were equally weary from the trek.  A biker was trying to dry herself off with the automatic dryers which kept shutting down.  She said it was hailing and it had hurt, I didn’t see hail, but I suppose it could have been.

After a short spot of sunshine, I looked up ahead to my next storm, possibly into Nevada.  By this time you are climbing into the mountains and so I looked forward to a new adventure, assuming the wind would stop.  But no.  Signs cheerfully advise that this too is a high wind area. 

The next storm was less intense and perhaps the mountains made me feel safer, I’m not sure why. 

Eventually, at the summit of the mountain range, it let go and the sky grudgingly cleared some as I descended to flatter ground around Wells, Nevada. 

I came to my destination in Elko, Nevada, and checked into a hotel.  I am enjoying the comfort of bed and bath, but also miss the camping.

To my delight I was able to have dinner with my cousin.  We haven’t seen nor communicated since we were children.  He knows the land around here and is full of wisdom.  Once again I am blessed with the richness of connections so close and yet so far.