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For each day of driving, I have taken around 100 pictures. Clearly that's too many to post here so I shall post the best photos and the most pertinent ones.

Day 1 was the biggie: 775 miles from Portland to Salt Lake City. I was on the road from 10:00 AM to about 11:30 PM. After a while you start to go insane.
Day 2 (today) was far more enjoyable but still long. Salt Lake City to Denver was 524 miles but still long. Too from about noon to 8:00 to get there.


Day One - Please Enjoy

I left Portland at 10 AM in the rain (figures) and was hoping to make Salt Lake City before midnight (which I did).



This is US-26 eastbound heading into town. I'm taking the exit to The Dalles.




Mile one of many on Interstate 84. This is in Portland right where I-84 begins.


But before I could tackle the road, I had to stop for...


Prices aren't too shabby although they are up from a few months ago, I'm not complaining. This is still great.


The Columbia River Gorge is home to vicious winds and Portland General Electric (PGE) is taking advantage of that. Every time I drive through here, they are trucking the parts for a new wind turbine out there. The OVERSIDE LOAD banner is an understatement. The men who drive these are Gods among mere mortals.


The picturesque Multnomah Falls.


Tunnel #1 on my trip.


It rained pretty heavily for the first 100 miles or so.


A mileage marker...Ontario is right on the Idaho/Oregon border and so that's a fair indication of how far I had to travel to just get out of the state.


The GPS is keeping tabs on things...


Rural towns like to do this. The A here is for Arlington, Oregon.


Across the Columbia River is Washington and Highway 14.


Flat nothingness...


Making progress...


This is Cabbage Hill looming in the distance. The section of Interstate 84 up that hill is so steep it has to switchback four or five times in order to reach the summit (see map here). It nearly bends the rules, too. Its curves are as sharp as the government will allow on an Interstate. And they are sharp...


Starting the ascent...the highway was widened to three lanes (from the usual two) to allow people to pass slower trucks.


Sharp corners indeed!


The first switchback; those are the eastbound lanes. Keep in mind I am also heading east. There is a near 90-degree turn shortly after this that continues you up the hill.


I think this photo shows the steepness of the grade and the sharpness of the curve.


Another switchback as seen from the other side.


Coming out of the switchbacks.


This photo is for our U.K. members. The top shield is an Interstate highway shield and the bottom one is a US Highway banner. US Highways pre-dated Interstates and in some places, were replaced by the Interstates. Here US-30 is shared with I-84.


Not an omen, I hope...


Snow!!!


A newer cement plant in the middle of nowhere.


I-84 in Eastern Oregon...close to Ontario.


I believe this decrepit facility is the long-abandoned predecessor to the cement plant two photos above. I'd love to tour this facility but I'm sure it's unsafe and illegal.


I did NOT intend for this to happen. Very scary but I made it to a gas station in time but only got $10 worth. You'll see why in a moment.


Oregon thanks you, come back soon.


Welcome to Idaho!


In Idaho, the gas is cheaper, contains no ethanol (meaning better mileage) and you can pump it yourself as self-service is banned in Oregon. I filled up here.


Somewhere in the Boise area...


In southern Idaho the roads became very empty.




Perfect for kicking back.


As the sun got lower, it went behind me, creating this shadow of the car.


This is the I.B. Perrine bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho.


Beautiful sunset...I got here just in time.




This is one of the few bridges in the US where BASE (Building, Antenna, Span, Earth) jumping is legal. All you need (besides a parachute) is a quick call to the Twin Falls police to tell them you'll be jumping. That way they know nobody jumped to kill themselves. Motorists on the bridge would obviously think that if they just saw somebody leap from the railing.

You cannot, however, bungee jump from it. Look closely at the photo above and you'll see another white sign. It says ATTACHMENTS TO BRIDGE PROHIBITED. That's a polite way of saying don't attach your bungee cord to it.


That says 'Welcome to Utah'

Gents, I started to add more photos tonight but accidentally clicked out of the window and lost all my additions before I posted.

I made it safely to Overland Park and have settled into my hotel nicely. First class is tomorrow at 8 AM. I'll let you know how it goes and thank you for your support.

We got started on the course today and let me say, I have a very positive feeling about it. As it's something I enjoy, it appears I'm soaking up information like a sponge. They even talked about the amount of money that stands to be made. Some are making close to $10,000 per month and I've spoken with other who work for railroads and say that $100K+ annually is more than reasonable. That's more than enough for me to get my own house, a new Santy, and perhaps even a Genesis. But let's not jump the gun here...class continues tomorrow and I should have photos up before the weekend. Now if you'll excuse me I have homework to tend to.

Had my first test today...90%!

I'm putting together the rest of the pic's. Please stand by.