We had a pretty good day off. We were busy nearly the entire time it seemed, getting our "chores" and errands done in time to hit the road Tuesday morning. One day off sure goes fast, but it's better than nothing! We did home a little later than normal Sunday nite due to the detour we had to take on I-80 in Iowa.
Tuesday morning we got our load early and headed out of Salt Lake before all the commuters hit the road. It's just a little easier that way, tho not so easy to get up that early! As we went along Tuesday I kept trying to get info on the detour, but really didn't hear anything, so we parked for our normal nite just east of Council Bluffs. Wednesday morning on the way to Des Moines, we saw the portable highway signs declaring I-80 was now open all the way across Iowa. YA, that'll cut the time back to what it should be!
The rest of the trip there was good. Weather held up for us (with the exception of some sprinkles in Lincoln) and we a good ride. Typical trip, made it to Gary, had our shower and went back to the Conway yard for a relaxing evening.
We are now in western Nebraska, and Kim has taken command for her drive. I typically drive from Gary, Ind to somewhere between Grand island and Nrth Platte, Neb. It usually pushes between 650-700mi for the day. Kim usually does about the same, and gets us over to the Rock Springs, Wy area. I have to have 10hrs down time before I can take it back and finish the trip to SLC. We each can DRIVE a maximum of 11 hrs but have to have 10hrs between drives. I stress drive, because fuel stops, rest breaks, etc don't count against drive time. We have up to 14hrs to get our 11hours of driving in. However, if we get to that 14h mark and don't have the 11hrs finished, we are done with whatever we have at that point. Then we must have 10hrs off before we can start driving again.
OK, enough logbookology, we should get back to SLC about 2:30 am local (according to Lola) in the morning. We'll swap this trailer for another loaded one (after SOMEONE gets to back this one into the dock :) ) We then head back to Aurora for the 2nd half of our week. Those are the weekend runs that pretty much leave us to our own schedule. We usually push about normal tho so we can get back to SLC at a decent time Sunday evening.
On a final note, since I-80 was open, we got to see some of the flooded areas in Iowa. Our hearts really go out to those people. You always believe and hope that nothing bad can happen to you and yours, but seeing it first hand really proves just how powerless we are against Mother Nature.
Till next time, keep it safe out there!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Floods and detour
Well, I got the motorhome back and set up ok. We hit the road Friday morning with our weekend half of our runs. There has been alot of rains and flooding in Iowa so I tried to check it out before we left and heard nothing about our route. When we got over in the Nebraska/Iowa area, we heard I -80 had been closed between Des Moines and Davenport Iowa. WOW, the whole eastern half of the state. We had to go up I-35 to Webster City, pick up US 20 and head over to Debuque. From there the detour headed back down US 61 back to Davenport and picked up 80. Since we were going to Aurora, which is north of I-80 anyway, we stayed on 20 over to Rockford Ill. and drop down on I-39. Much of US 20 was a scenic route and abit of a challenge at times going thru some of the small town city centers! It was a really nice change of pace, however, it add QUITE abit of time onto the trip. We got into Aurora, picked up our trailer, (again, this time, things were slooow getting the paperwork, etc and just added to the frustration), and headed on over to Gary.
From Gary we took I-80 back to Davenport and picked up the detour back up to Debuque. If you have never been to Debuque, you should take a look. It is really a pretty town in the hills and right on the river. I was quite impressed and would like to spend some time there sometime exploring.
We really felt for all the people in central Iowa with the flooding. We saw fields totally swallowed up by the rivers in the areas. We saw houses, well, at least we saw the roofs. Imagining what was under the water really got to you when you thought it could be you.
On our way from Davenport to Debuque Saturday evening, the worst thing happened that could. It RAINED more. The roads to the south of I-80 were flooding more and more as the rivers rose and crested in those areas. To the north it was finally receding some. SOME. It will be quite some time before the area will return to somewhat of a normal situation.
We finally made it back to SLC about 3hours later than normal, but well within our required time on this weekend run. They are not required till Monday afternoon, however, we get back Sunday and have Monday off at home.
The weather is warming up and we now have both our motorcycles here so lookout Utah, we'll be out and about on Mondays now. At least after I get my chores, honey-do's, and we get laundry, grocery store , and packing done. Hmmm,,well, maybe an hour ride anyway?
Till next time, keep it safe out there!
From Gary we took I-80 back to Davenport and picked up the detour back up to Debuque. If you have never been to Debuque, you should take a look. It is really a pretty town in the hills and right on the river. I was quite impressed and would like to spend some time there sometime exploring.
We really felt for all the people in central Iowa with the flooding. We saw fields totally swallowed up by the rivers in the areas. We saw houses, well, at least we saw the roofs. Imagining what was under the water really got to you when you thought it could be you.
On our way from Davenport to Debuque Saturday evening, the worst thing happened that could. It RAINED more. The roads to the south of I-80 were flooding more and more as the rivers rose and crested in those areas. To the north it was finally receding some. SOME. It will be quite some time before the area will return to somewhat of a normal situation.
We finally made it back to SLC about 3hours later than normal, but well within our required time on this weekend run. They are not required till Monday afternoon, however, we get back Sunday and have Monday off at home.
The weather is warming up and we now have both our motorcycles here so lookout Utah, we'll be out and about on Mondays now. At least after I get my chores, honey-do's, and we get laundry, grocery store , and packing done. Hmmm,,well, maybe an hour ride anyway?
Till next time, keep it safe out there!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
week off
We have had a week off so I could get our motorhome and motorcycles moved back out here to SLC. Originally, we left it at the employee parking in Joplin because we thought that was a central locaton when we wanted to use it. Now that we are running a dedicated run from SLC, we need it back home. I flew out to Tulsa last Fri nite, and my Dad picked me up. He had gone to Joplin and took care of some issues it needed to hit the road again. I spent the weekend with him and my brother, then hit the road with my Dad to visit my Aunt in Beatrice, Neb on my way back. Dad has a motorhome just like mine, same year, just a different model.
From there, on up to Lincoln and hit I-80 and head home. Hmmm,,not sure if I can remember the way down I-80! :) The only trouble this trip was WIND! High winds from the south till I got past Rock Springs, then it switched around from the north and believe it or not, SNOWED on me near Limon, WY (40 mi from Evanston). We just cannot get rid of winter!
From Evanston and on into SLC, it cleared up some and was a welcome 65 degrees. It was 93 while in Okla with about 90 percent humidity. WHEW, not used to that humidity anymore!
Oh well, everything is safe and sound at home now, just needs a good cleaning before we get the bikes out. Unwritten law, all bikes must shine!
We head back out on the road in the morning. We will be headed thru all the area in Iowa and Ill where the floods have been. The TV has been talking about Iowa City sandbagging. Sure hope everyone is ok, and the rivers go back down soon.
Till next time, keep it safe out there!
From there, on up to Lincoln and hit I-80 and head home. Hmmm,,not sure if I can remember the way down I-80! :) The only trouble this trip was WIND! High winds from the south till I got past Rock Springs, then it switched around from the north and believe it or not, SNOWED on me near Limon, WY (40 mi from Evanston). We just cannot get rid of winter!
From Evanston and on into SLC, it cleared up some and was a welcome 65 degrees. It was 93 while in Okla with about 90 percent humidity. WHEW, not used to that humidity anymore!
Oh well, everything is safe and sound at home now, just needs a good cleaning before we get the bikes out. Unwritten law, all bikes must shine!
We head back out on the road in the morning. We will be headed thru all the area in Iowa and Ill where the floods have been. The TV has been talking about Iowa City sandbagging. Sure hope everyone is ok, and the rivers go back down soon.
Till next time, keep it safe out there!
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