Day 2: Kennewick, WA to Rock Springs, WY (764 mi)

Oops. When planning this trip, we were sure no one day was scheduled for more than about 625 miles. We knew yesterday would be our longest day, but didn't realize it was over 150 miles longer than the next longest. We realized our error only when we checked Google maps for the directions to the hotel here in Rock Springs. We also lost an hour when we entered the Mountain time zone, so we actually arrived after midnight--this is why I didn't post anything last night. Still, our day's drive took us through parts of 5 states (WA, OR, ID, UT, and WY) and on 3 interstates (82, 84, and 80). We won't be able to say that again on this trip.

We put a couple of extra blankets in the cage so the cats wouldn't have to fight over the cushion anymore, so of course they figured out how they could both use the cushion and the extra blankets were rarely used. Figures.

Yes, Gizmo is lying in the litter box here.

For the most part, the cats did very well with their 14 hours in the car yesterday. Phoenix was restless (read: wandering around and crying) for the first hour and a half or so, but then he settled and slept. He started getting impatient at around the 11 hour mark, so gave us some good loud yells about then, but then he went back to sleep for the rest of the drive.

Interesting sights along the way:

When stopping for food in a small town in Oregon, we came upon a sign for Busty's Pancake and Waffle house. That got a few snickers until we got close enough to see that it actually said "Rusty's". More boring that way, but Rachel reminded me that I didn't tell everyone about Coffee Jigglers in Ellensburg, WA on Thursday. It was a typical coffee hut in a parking lot, but the name (and the scantily clad woman that was their logo) tells it all. We didn't stop there.

When stopping for dinner last night in Two Falls, Idaho, we crossed a great gorge containing the Snake River.




The whole area reminded us of Coulee country in eastern Washington. (Rachel mentioned it first.) Later, we found out why when a rest stop had a sign explaining about Lake Bonneville. (Follow the link to see why that's any explanation at all.)

After dark and after getting onto Interstate 80, which we will be following for the next few days, I was startled several times by signs that said "INTERSTATE 80 CLOSED". As we got closer, we could see that it explained in smaller type that the freeway was closed if there were flashing lights and gates across the highway. I presume that's for dealing with winter snows.

I should wrap this up so we can get on the road again. I just want to say, however, that "Flaming Gorge" brings up some frightening mental pictures and I'm not sure I ever want to visit the place.