Storm watching

Ever since we got married (36 years ago next month), we’ve been driving the same route to Wyoming, whether from Cleveland’s east side or Chicago’s southwest side. This year, except for the last 30 miles or so, it was new territory. I’d planned to get up at 4 am, but woke earlier, heading out in the dark to cover just under 700 miles, a trip that would take over 10 hours. I don’t stop much with a goal of gas/bathroom stops coinciding. I had food packed, tea in my Contigo thermal cups, plenty of snacks, and the wonderful BBC radio “Lord of the Rings” production for the CD player. Incidentally, that recording has made the trip with us for almost all those years, first on tape, now on CD.

I didn’t see much scenery the first several hours, the sky only lightening around 5:30 am. I saw where a wildfire had devastated acres and acres and then it was through the White Mountains, onto I-40 (paralleling or overlapping with historic Rt. 66 in many place, and to Albuquerque, where my route turned north towards Raton, New Mexico just south of the Colorado border where I’d stay overnight.

Rain in this part of the country and at this time of year is scarce. We’ve been in Arizona since the end of March and have experienced only a couple “showers”, in quotes because there often not enough to measure. But past Santa Fe near Wagon Mound, there was more than the promise of rain, although most of it was to the west of me. It looked wonderful!

I could see the rain coming down in the distance. All these shots were taken with my iPhone while driving BUT with one hand firmly on the wheel and eyes on the road. It gives point-and-shoot a whole new meaning and also means lots of deleted shots when I finally stop, but I often get some good ones, too.

You can see for many miles out here!

This isn’t exactly the stairway to heaven Led Zeppelin mentioned, but it does look as if you could get into the clouds if you had a head for climbing. Of course in a storm, climbing a metal structure is probably NOT the best idea. Anyone else visualizing a modern-day Jack and the Beanstalk here?

It was a good first day with only two stops, but I was happy to get to Raton. Gas for the van, then back to the motel where I plunked down on the bed to watch some first season “NCIS” reruns. Man, did everyone look young!!

P.S. In the way of all things, tonight after I wrote this, we had a thunderstorm with high winds,spectacular lightning, lot of thunder, and yes, even rain. 🙂