On The Road to HOME--We Made It!!!

We woke up this morning intending to spend a little relaxing time before heading over the Sierras. The wind was howling and the weather person indicated there might be snow showers today. We checked the road conditions and everything was clear at the moment. We decided not to wait so we hurriedly packed our stuff and headed for home.

We didn’t really see it last night, but Reno is covered with snow from the “BIG” storm. They got tons of snow here over the weekend and it has been so cold that none of it has melted. The roads have been plowed so they are clear. We will keep our fingers crossed that the roads remain clear the entire way home.
It was snowing a little over the Sierras and the road was icy but no controls. We did have lots of blowing snow! We followed behind a caltrans sanding truck for a little while and a couple of big rigs. At one point all the trucks were pulling over--might have been a brake check. We kept on going but we were not moving very fast. It was still pretty icy!!!!!!!!!! I took some pictures and a couple of movies. We just kept on moving!!

There is now a highway patrol man in front leading the traffic. I guess we are wooses because lots of people are passing us but we are taking it easy and sticking with the slow pokes. We have reached the summit so we figure it can only get better! We are also hungry. We left in such a hurry we didn’t even have breakfast or make our traditional stop at Starbucks! And, of course, you know, snow is not one of my favorite things!

Some of the smaller non-4X4 cars are starting to pull over to chain up. We are not sure how much longer before they will be requiring chains for non-4X4 vehicles. We are still moving...... At least it is not blowing as much on this part of the road, but even the “zoomies” are slowing down now. It has been snowing steadily but not heavily. By the way, when I remembered to look, the temperature was 22º.

We are listening to the radio but still no chain controls. We don’t really care because we have 4X4, but I sure don’t like these roads! I will be glad when we get down the mountain! Traffic is stopped on the other side but we don’t know why. Since there aren’t any chain controls (according to 1610), I’m guessing there was an accident. We did keep passing the electronic signs that talked about a chain control speed of 30 mph!

We are at Emigrant at 9:20 AM and there is still plenty of ice and snow. For a while there it was like we were all by ourselves. The wind was blowing the snow and we couldn’t see that far in front of us! This is not a particularly fast trip home! And I think it is snowing more on the downhill side and building up on the roadway--except where the trucks go. Of course, I could be exaggerating as I am not fond of this weather (I think I said that before)! Are we home yet?

Where is everyone? There is no one going East. We are beginning to wonder if they have stopped traffic down here and closed East bound because of that accicent. We are now at Alta and on on wet only pavement heading west and there is absolutely no one on the other side. It is kind of eerie! AHa! we have found the east bounders--just above Gold Run! The sign says chains required and they are stopping people and checking. The trucks are all stopped a little further down. There is no need to chain up here but they must have put them in effect higher up. I’m glad we are out of it--well, almost out of it. It is still snowing, but not heavily

We think we got out of Reno just in time! I checked road conditions and chains are definitely required east of Gold Run! Had we waited much longer to leave, this trip might be even longer or not at all! The Mac@Night folks will be grateful we are back in time to lead the meeting tonight. I know we are!

The elevation is 2400 and it is now mostly rain with a little snow! Whew! We made it! Not much longer and we will be HOME!!!!

And before you ask: No, we did not geocache on this leg of our trip! Our only goal was to get over the mountain and boy are we glad we accomplished that goal!