Bah! I say.
Yeah, that's scenic. I've gotcher scenic right here. I had to "go over the hill," which to use means going over the Rockies on I70. I'm in Rifle, CO tonight - gonna unload in the morning.
I'm sure I've kvetched about this before, but as a rule, we're too tall to go through the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnels at the Continental Divide. So, we have to take US6 - Loveland Pass. Narrow, winding, steep grades, hairpin curves, few guardrails - I'm sure it's fun in a Beemer with a roof rack full of skis, but for me, not so much. This is one of the switchbacks on the westbound downhill side. No guardrail on the right, but I can at least see where I'd hit and die.
The road is snowpacked, too. Plus, we're always in a hurry, so ya gotta push it. It really is surprising just how much traction these trucks have, but a little black ice can change that situation. Not for the better.
So, I'm not unloaded and pointed home yet. I70 is fast and busy between here and Denver. I hate traffic.
Bah.
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16 comments:
Drive safe, my friend!
Oh, man, I would be terrified....go safely please....
"but at least I can see where I'd hit and die."
So optimistically pessimistic!
I'll keep my flat WI heavily sprinkled with car-eating salt roads thank you very much. Scenic is for calendars and postcards.
I run a jetboat on the Rogue, we too experience hours of driving pleasure interspersed with moments of sheer terror. That's what puts the L in life. Adrenaline is gooood, changing pants, not so much.
Just talked to my trucker brother about this the other day. I've never been over it I don't believe. He said it isn't much fun with a truck even with good roads.
He drivers for Anders, a small local firm. If you see him, wave. ;)
subtab
By the way, do you think the guard rail would really stop you?
remet
Just keep the shiney side UP and stay safe...
All The Best,
Frank W. James
Do y'all think maybe, just maybe, I was a tad tired and grumpy? Heh.
Still doesn't matter, I don't like the mountains even with perfectly dry roads.
Jinglebob - I'm sure it depends on how hard ya hit those guardrails. In that photo, I'm riding the jake downhill and running about thirty or so. A lot of the rails are just posts with wire, and they are usually falling off the mountain. So, no, I sure wouldn't wanna depend on one. I really can't imagine what sort of disaster would drive me over the edge - not including avalanches or rock slides. A really slick spot at the wrong time would be bad. If a car were to do something that might force me off - well, I'm gonna just go ahead and hit it rather than dodge.
Neighbor brought a load of hay and showed me the front where he had hit a deer the other night at about 70 mph. He had blood and mess clear to the top of his bull rack! He said it looked like you stuck a stick of TNT up the deer's rear, the way it exploded. Figured he just paid for the "new to him" grill guard. Anyone who tries to play tag with a truck is a fool of the highest order. I drove them years ago on gravel road. I will testify that a buck sheep don't stand a chance, even if you are standing on the brakes!
ekatcr
Reminds me of 323 going from Va to Fla. At east there were rocks there to stop you.
This is threecollie's husband btw.
that's least
Hi Boss!
Oh, and AWM - I just looked up what The Rogue is. Sheer terror? That's one activity that might have appealed to me in my salad days, but now? Not so much!
If you ever drive through Glenwood Canyon on I70 during rafting season, you can watch 'em go after it on the Colorado River. AFAIC, they left their brains on the bank.
That would scare the crap out of me!
Came over here from Three Collie, intrigued because she mentioned Loveland pass and only a native or a trucker would know Loveland pass.
Glad to meet you!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Linda: Glad to meet you, too!
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