Ok, so today started out a little sad. Because of all the rain going on around here, we weren't able to make our run on the Salt Flats. Part of me was super disappointed, and part of me was kind of relieved that BlackJack wouldn't get all covered in salt!
We headed out of the parking lot with the cheers from the West Wendover Wolverines cheerleaders, waved goodbye to Wendover Will, and got on the Interstate heading east. It was pretty drizzly rain off and on until we got closer to Salt Lake City.
I totally missed the Bonneville Salt Flats exit, so didn't even get my photo op…was a little upset about that, but got over it quickly. Along the way to Grand Junction, we stopped at a little place called Papa Joe's for a special MINI surprise! They gave us a free drink (I got a bottle of "real" 7up) and a really nice coozie! It was a nice little stretch stop! We were pretty close to Grand Junction at that point, but discovered we were also pretty close to Arches National Park, and decided to take a detour from the route to check it out. It turned out to be the best decision of the day!! What a beautiful place!!! Barb and I were snapping so many pictures, it was insane! We stopped for a few photo ops, drove to the lower lookout for the Delicate Arch for a few more pics, and then drove back out of the park. About that time, it started pouring rain!! Lots of rain!! We went into the Visitor's Center for a bit, but came out to more rain! From there, we drove on Highway 128 along the Colorado River, north back up toward Grand Junction. It was one of the most spectacular drives I've been on! It was especially glorious when the rain subsided enough to put the top down again. The pictures just don't even come close to doing it justice…it was absolutely incredible!!
We kept the top down for the rest of the drive into Grand Junction. When we got to the hotel, the local Colorado club had hoses and buckets and soap available for washing the cars! I took advantage of that, as BlackJack was getting pretty crusty by now! All of us car washers must have been doing more rain dances, cuz the rains came again shortly after! The evening event was moved indoors, but was still pretty nice. They've been feeding us great food! Tonight was roasted chicken and a whole roasted pig (two pigs, actually)!! I passed on the pig, but the chicken was awesome, along with all the fixins…! Delish!
Tomorrow, we're on our way to Albuquerque via Durango, I think…I hope so, cuz I've never been there. I'm anxious to get home and do laundry, and repack/reorganize the car. Then it's off for two more weeks of adventure!! Thanks for following our antics!!
Gorgeous pictures!
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