West Yellowstone, Montana to Elko, Nevada – 11/15/2014

NOVEMBER 15, 2014 (Saturday)

Snowed pretty much most of the night but woke up to clear skies. They plowed the area so we left around 9:00 AM. It was funny because the parking area was plowed and when we got to the road in front of the Worldmark West Yellowstone, they had only plowed about 100 feet. We were afraid we’d get stuck in the deep snow but our little Prius is a marvel. It got through it and got us to the nearby McDonald’s for breakfast. We got our usual, egg white delights, coffee and hash browns. We ended up feeding the crows the hash browns.

Lots of blue ski greeted us this morning. — Lots of blue sky greeted us this morning.

We loaded up and said goodbye to the worldmark. — We loaded up and said goodbye to the Worldmark West Yellowstone.

They plowed the parking lot and down the street, where they left a snow berm, which looked like a Prius catcher to me. — They plowed the parking lot and down the street, where they left a snow berm (which looked like a Prius catcher to me).

We plowed our way a few blocks to McDonald's. — We plowed our way a few blocks to McDonald’s.

Edie loved the trees, I think it was the contrast with the blue ski that made them so pretty. — Edie loved the trees, I think it was the contrast with the blue sky that made them so pretty.

Funny sign in McDonald's. — Funny sign in McDonald’s.

I tried to get Edie to sit outside, wasn't even close. — I tried to get Edie to sit outside; wasn’t even close.

The Ravens are so smart and hardy, I admire them.

We said goodbye to West Yellowstone. The temperature was 0 degrees when we left and went down to -2. The high today was 34 degrees, in Elko, Nevada. The drive today was to Elko, Nevada – a little less than 400 miles. We encountered light snow for about an hour of the drive. We went to Twin Falls for a short side trip to Shoshone Falls. We had been there last year but the falls weren’t in “full bloom” so to speak, and we wanted to see them in all their glory. They are beautiful – and no flies this time because it was so cold.

We stopped for a snack in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and then after we had gone to Shoshone Falls we stopped for gas in Twin Falls, Idaho. We didn’t stop again until we got to Elko. The drive was very cold with many different looking areas – places with lots of trees, places with lots of snow, and places that looked like high desert. All the roads were good. We were afraid of ice but everything was fine and when we were concerned, we slowed down.

We hit the road and speed limit looked about right.

We saw -2 and by the time we got the camera on it the temperature rose to -1.

I was liking the dark blue water next to the white snow and ice.

We drove by a wildlife park. They were penned in.

Our stop in Idaho Falls to switch drivers and get some water and nuts. Gotta wash the car pretty soon.

We decided our windshield was must be green/blue. — We decided our windshield fluid must be green/blue.

Snake river almost frozen over. — Snake River almost frozen over.

The most dangerous thing we do is drive.

Edie was driving, I did not like the road.

Prius climbed right out without much trouble.

The country side changed. — The countryside changed.

The trees were interesting and beautiful again, in a different way.

The snow on the ground lightened, and the road was pretty good.

The sky occasionally was interesting too.

Then the sky and the country side combined to be interesting. — Then the sky and the countryside combined to be interesting.

We got into Elko, Nevada around 4:00 PM (time change back an hour). We stopped at the parking lot of the McDonald’s to get on line and get a hotel room for the night. We ended up getting a Best Western in Elko for around $80.00. We then went and found the best Chinese food we’ve had in awhile – Chef Cheng’s on Idaho Street. Excellent. We got lemon chicken, house fried rice and wor won ton soup.

House fried rice. We like putting it in our bowl of soup.

Lemon Chicken. We ended up taking half the soup, half the rice, and most of the chicken to go. Going to have it for lunch tomorrow.

A very authentic Chinese restaurant that reminded us of our time in China.

We got to our hotel room for the night after eating. They were having computer issues in the office so the front desk employee had to do it the “old fashioned way,” by hand. Nice large room. We’re hoping for a good night’s sleep and then on the road again.

Comfortable chair and ottoman for me. Edie is a bed person.

Not sure if we’re going to stop in Sacramento for the night or head straight to Prunedale. We’ll keep you posted.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!

Wow!!! The fastest internet I have ever seen, in all our travels!!!