Add to that a strong crosswind that got worse as the day progressed. But still, we made it to our planned destination for the night.
We left Casa Grande about 9:00am, but stopped at a Walmart on the way out. Picked up a few things and headed out on the I-8 west towards Gila Bend. Nice new road surface! Happy Sherman.
Nice new road on the I-8 heading west from Casa Grande.
Saguaro cactus.
Sherman's cousin passed us.
Sherman may drive like a tank, but at least he doesn't need to be carried!
As we got on the road heading north from Gila Bend towards the I-10, traffic was backed up because they were repaving one little 200 yard stretch of road. And they had only one lane was open to serve traffic in both directions. We had to wait for about 15 minutes for our turn to go.
After we turned, we saw the traffic heading in the opposite direction. These people would have to wait for at least an hour!
Glad we're not on that side of the road!
We actually had a bit of a tail wind while we were on that section heading south. But then turning west on the I-10, we had that cross wind, and it just got worse as the day went on.
Dust blowing in the distance.
More dust.
Lots of wind to keep this big flag up.
Not fun driving a motorhome in that kind of wind. It's just like a big sailboat. Had to keep the steering wheel turned left a little bit just to keep going straight. I read afterwards that winds were 30 mph (50 km/h) gusting to 50 mph (80 km/h). And of course every time a big truck went by on the left (which was all the time because Sherman is the slowest vehicle on the freeway) I had to fight with the steering wheel to correct it.
Give me a twisty mountain road any time!
We pulled in to Quartzsite to top up the fuel tank with "cheap" gas before crossing in to California.
We thought about just staying there, but I really wanted to see somewhere different so we carried on another 30 miles (50 kms) and got off at Ehrenberg where I had seen some free BLM parking.
We got ourselves parked up well off the highway with the nose facing into the wind. As darkness approached, the wind increased and visibility decreased because of the amount of dust and sand blowing around.
Sherman, happy to be boondocking again.
That's not the moon you see in the center...it's the sun being obscured by the dust.
Glad we got off the road when we did. We had a windy evening, but by the time we went to bed the winds had backed off and we had a decent sleep.
Yesterday's long drive, 209 miles (334 kms).
Up early this morning and got a couple of hours driving done before the winds pick up. Forecast is now for much lighter winds, so that's good. Posting this from near Palm Springs, and we'll take a break and have breakfast before carrying on to Brea where we'll be parked for the next 3 nights.
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A four pack of "perfect fit" pillows on sale today at Amazon.com...
And in Canada...8 films on Blue Ray for $26...
The one thing about sitting in traffic in a motorhome, at least you have your own toilet with you. Fighting the crosswind though? That sucks.
ReplyDeleteYep, you always need to look at the positive side of things, and having a toilet in your vehicle is definitely a positive when you are stuck in traffic! :-)
DeleteSo glad to see your post this morning. We've been very concerned knowing that these winds were also up where you are. So glad you made it safely. We've still got the winds today but hopefully they've already past your area. Ugh! Dust and winds with semis passing. No fun! You're almost there!
ReplyDeleteThe winds only got bad just before getting to Quartzsite but we took a rest there fr a while and then continued up for another 20 or so miles before parking up for the night. Definitely not fun driving when the wind is like that. Yesterday's drive was better only really bad winds around Palm Springs area, thankfully.
DeleteAhh Gila Bend is south of I-10....so I guess you meant you headed north from Gila Bend to I-10 not south.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, and I have corrected above...thanks!
DeleteWe got the winds here too, back roads and interstate the same but no traffic tie ups.
ReplyDeleteGlad you and making good time.
No, winds are not fun to drive in! Glad you arrived safely at your destination too.
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