CLOUDS

As we were leaving the Flying J in Pasco, WA, after scaling our load of meat, another TWT driver drove by us and entered the freeway ahead of us. He called us on the CB, inquiring if we would like to run together with him, given the big chill storm that was looming over us. Always safety in numbers, so we agreed, and Craig was happy to have a leader he could follow.Like us, the other driver was on a tight schedule, and we knew we had to get as far as the elements would allow us to get. I kept an eagle eye on the Internet and the most current satellite images updating Craig as we moved steadily along. We didn't encounter must resistance from the storm until we turned onto Highway 97. The clouds had a beauty of their own as the snow flurries started.

Climbing a bit higher in elevation, the roads quickly became snow packed and icy, and as we tried to avoid all the speed racers that were out on the road, we knew the weather would cut us short of where we wanted to stop. After driving a few hours in the darkness, we both decided to call it a night in Chemult, OR at the Pilot Truck Stop. Luckily for us, there were two spots open and we quickly backed into them and settled in for some sleep.

Up early this morning to check the satellite images, we determined that if we left before daylight, we just might miss the rest of the storm going over the mountain passes near Mount Shasta. We woke up the other TWT driver, and he agreed with our assessment and we took of. It worked in our favor because it was Sunday morning and nary a soul on the roadways. As I type this we are currently on Interstate 5, just north of Lakehead, CA. All indications from my satellite reading indicate we should be leaving the worst of the storm behind us as we make our way south.