A Real Adventure

Monday, August 13, 2007

Where to start, hmmm. How about the starting line! After much hem hawing around, Chet finally made the executive decision we were going down to Wendover, NV to the Bonneville Salt Flats for Speed Week. It's something he's wanted to do all his life, so load up the motorhome! We had planned on taking off after work on Friday, but he remembered he had made prior plans with Andy to go to the Night Fire Nationals at Firebird that night. So he did that and then we took off 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning for Bonneville. All was well as we headed south. A few miles out of Wendover we noticed the freeway was a bit wash boardy. Hmmm, odd. Well we are almost there! Wow, Wendover is quite a bustling border town. I've never actually been there before. I can't believe how huge the resorts are for such a spot in the road. All they lack is a golf course! Around the mountain a little ways and there is that great dry salt lake bed... Man that is a site to behold. White glaring salt as flat and as far as the eye can see. It's hard to discern the water on the salt from the mirages. A very interesting place. There is a huge area of state park we drive through on our way to the entrance. It is open for all camping. Miles and miles of motorhomes, trailers and tents. There are forests of canopies in all shapes and sizes as there isn't a tree in sight on this barren wasteland.

We find the entrance to the speedway, which isn't much at all but the end of the pavement and a permanent sign depicting the name and history of it. There are very friendly people there waiting to take your $10 and help you on your way. You must drive through roughly 6 to 8 inches of salt water to get to the dry salt. There are only miles of orange cones laid out on the salt to guide you on the vast salt expanse. It is rough with potholes where the many vehicles have preceded you, but move over and you can find smoother salt. Which way do we go? You can either go around the right toward the starting line, or head off straight to the pit area. WE went to the pit area first. Because the place was so vast, we had no problem wandering around the pit area and pretty much anywhere we wanted to go. We did go look at all the cars in the pits, and we wandered over to the tech line. We found a place for lemonade and one for t-shirts. Not a lot of vending, but enough. Chet talked with several car owners and drivers. Then we decided to go down by the start line. We were amazed you could get right up around the vehicles as they were getting ready to start. That was a great place for photos.

I have to tell you it was blasted hot on that salt. I stepped out of the motorhome and immediately jumped back in to get my sunscreen on. A baseball cap was not quite enough. You really needed a big brimmed hat. The thing that was hardest was the glare. Even with sunglasses on, we had to squint hard and my eyes watered constantly. It made a bit difficult to photograph. I finally just looked through the viewfinder with my sunglasses on. But, as you can see, it didn't stop me from getting many photographs. Quite a few of the photos in the slideshow were take by Chet with the little camera.

We went back to the park and found an overnight spot away from everyone. Unfortunately, it wasn't far enough away from the fireworks someone so graciously thought to bring along with them. Real nice... Not much sleep was had. It didn't matter, we were up and at the course as the sun was coming up. You will see some sunrise photos Chet took as he was driving back to the course. I was still groggy in my bed as he drove, watching the sunrise from the bedroom window over the cab. It was quite lovely. So, Chet set up his CB so he could hear the timing tower and his spot scope so he could see all the way down the 7 mile track. We were set up about in the middle of the track. They started racing at 7:00 a.m. and the weather was beautiful. I made breakfast as the cars were flying by, cleaned up grabbed my coffee and camera and went out to see if I could catch a photo or two of the racers speeding by me. I was surprised actually, at how many good ones I did get. It was great fun, and we packed it in about 9:30 and headed home.

The trip home was the real adventure. Chet blew the first tire climbing the long grade back out of Wendover. We found a spot wide enough to get off the freeway and get it changed. He's a great pitman, had that inner dual changed inside of 20 minutes. WE get everything put back together, get back in and buckled up and we are merrily on our way. Geez, that was easy honey. Chet mentioned the wear on the outer dual from the inner one being bad. Actually, all of the tires had really good tread. We are not sure why the separation occurred. Chet thought it a good idea to stop in Wells to get the spare replaced. Les Schwab is closed on Sunday and the only tire station in town wants something like $350 to sell us and mount the tire. HAHAHAHAH that's a good one! So we head on toward Twin Falls. We fill up and get some lunch there. Oh honey, would you mind driving for awhile, I'm getting stiff. So, I take the wheel and start out merrily on my way. Boy, I am having a really tough time keeping my eyes open after lunch and the warm sun coming in through the windshield. As I'm struggling to wake up, KABOOM! there goes the outer dual! Geez, laweeez! I move slowly over to the shoulder as big semis are screaming past, blowing me off the road. As you may remember, we have no spare. So, Chet takes off the wounded wheel, and we limp into MT. Home. Walmart is right off the exit and low and behold, the tire shop is open! Big sigh of relief. But wait! They don't service motorhomes! What? Are you kidding me? Not kidding, and there is no place else in town open at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Chet pleads with the tire shop manager to put a tire on just so we can make it back to Nampa, but he was having none of it. So, I have to call Melissa and Greg who have been at our house all afternoon with Dad who's in town waiting to see us, to come and get us. Thank You, Greg and Melissa, for driving all the way out to Mt. Home and rescuing us from our adventure!

I know this was a long story, but I just want you all to know, no matter what, Chet and I are still pedaling that bicycle as fast as we can! Now, enjoy the slideshow and if you have any questions, please ask Chet. He knows all the details!



Love you all!
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