
The Road East: Day 2
I think there should be a 12-step program for major life changes such as retirement. One day you’re working full time, the next day you’re not. There should be some kind of phasing out period. Don’t you think?
Yesterday, we drove 460 miles on our road to retirement and there was constant jibber-jabber between us, almost non-stop, talking primarily about the last few weeks. Our transition did not play out as we had hoped so we literally worked full-time right up until the day before we left, and as a result we were cheated out of our phasing out period. There was no time to take a deep breath before taking on this road trip.
Our 12 step program to retirement might look something like this.
Step 1: Jibber jabber until you get it out of your system.
Today, we drove from Winnemucca, Nevada to Evanston, Wyoming. I mentioned yesterday that driving across the Nevada desert can prove to be mind-numbing, which it is, but today we found ourselves in a calmer frame of mind so I looked for moments of beauty in the desert and we drove in long periods of comfortable silence.
Step 2: Enjoy comfortable silence.
Step 3: Look for moments of beauty.

The Nevada desert

The Tree of Utah – middle of nowhere – salt flats

Cargo train crossing the salt flats

Near Lambs Canyon in Utah
Day 2: 434 miles. 37 gallons of gas.
Travel Tip: As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, we use our American Express Hilton Honors card for every possible purchase and we bank our points for travel. Tonight, we are staying at the Hampton Inn in Evanston, Wyoming. We booked this room for $50 and 12,000 points.

Hampton Inn – Evanston, Wyoming
To view more photos from The Road East – head over to our Facebook page: One Road at a Time Facebook. And you know, while you’re on the page, go ahead and like it so you don’t miss any of the fun!
There’s something to be said for the distant views over flat land. Yet looks like you found some topography and color.
Step 4: Admit you are ready for change.
Gaelyn recently posted…Foto Friday Fun 80
I’m sure you’ve driven it Gaelyn, but Hwy 80 across Nevada, Utah and Wyoming can be l-o-n-g and tomorrow we travel across Nebraska, the last haul across the desert landscapes.
Because of my infatuation with the Salt Flats in regard to Speed Week an the previous world records there I LOVED my visit there. Wanna hear something really ironic, Patti? My dad and uncle were born in Evanston! 🙂

Mike recently posted…A Friend Is Missed Around The World
The salt flats are really interesting. When we passed through the area in January, everything was frozen so this time, there was a lot more surface water which made it that much more interesting to see, especially some of the reflections.
Glad the journeys going well – can’t believe how far you’ve gone already, that’s a lot of driving!

Catherine recently posted…Food Adventures: Chinese Takeaway With A Twist
Yes, we’ve been logging a good number of miles each day, trying to get across country in about a week, so we don’t have to pay extra day charges for our truck. And we’ve driven portions of this trip before so we can move pretty quickly. Thanks for riding along with us!
Beautiful. I bet there’s a cell phone tower hidden in the Utah tree. Lambs Canyon looks gorgeous and, yes, is somehow reminiscent of lamb’s wool—or maybe I’m too open to the power of suggestion. We’re staying in a Hampton Inn on Monday night to be near JFK airport for our morning flight to South Africa on Tuesday. Do you find your American Express card is accepted everywhere? Godspeed.

Suzanne Fluhr recently posted…“If You Want to Make God Laugh, Tell Him about Your Plans” — Carpe Diem Edition
Although American Express is not accepted everywhere, we find that for the most part it is widely used. And when we can’t use Amex, we use a Visa that is associated with an airline program. If we can’t get one, we’ll get the other! 😉
Step 1, 2 & 3 sound perfect,,,, here’s to the next 9 steps 😉

Linda ~ Journey Jottings recently posted…How to Simply Summarise Your Year
Thanks, Linda, I just have to figure out what those steps will be!