Monday 11 May 2008, Salt Lake City

Cody to Salt Lake City
(via Yellowstone National Park and Idaho Falls)
Awoke to a frosting of about 2 inches of snow
Asked a local coach driver and the concierge about conditions – saltshakers would be out and about by the time we arrived – they said!
They weren’t!

Yellowstone National Park
Drove 52miles west to Yellowstone through driving sleet, snow and hail only to arrive at the east entrance in a caravan of 7 vehicles to be told that snow ploughs had only just started the 120-mile clearance, after that, rangers would assess the roads for safe passage. We could be waiting until noon, perhaps all day!
I explained our plans to Jovine, one of the rangers and proposed my alternative route which she agreed was the best plan, considering SLC was over 7 hours away, so:
Plan B for today was: Cody to Yellowstone National Park, back to Cody, south to Thermopolis (home to the World’s largest mineral spas!), Riverton, Lander, Rock Springs then onto Salt Lake City!
Data
Proclaimed the World’s first National Park in 1872
Acreage: 2.2million
Trails: 1000mi
Greatest collection of natural geothermal features including geysers (most notable, ‘Old Faithful’), and vents
‘Old Faithful’ erupts on average every 90 minutes and reaches approximately 130ft. Each eruption lasts between 90 seconds to 5 mins and produces 3700 to 8400 gallons of almost boiling hot water and steam
Today’s mileage: 586 miles
Time: 9h 42mins

Driving Notes and Tips
Take USA-130 SOUTHEAST from CODY signed to THERMOPOLIS (96mi)
Take USA-30 SOUTH signed SHOSHONE (37mi)
Take USA-26 SOUTHWEST signed RIVERTON (16mi)
Onwards on USA-26/WY789 signed LANDER (28mi)
South onto USA-28 signed ROCK SPRINGS (125mi)
Take counter-logical left turn to go right onto I-80 (They’ve not built the right lane yet!)
Head WEST to SALT LAKE CITY (86mi)
Enjoy”

BB
Received your texts today – the first time we have had a signal since Cheyenne, just after Denver.

SLC
Failed to get a T-Mobile SIM today - still looking - despite the .com website saying the T-Mob shop was ‘opening early 08’ and the store layout plan at the mall in SLC showing the location of the shop, and despite the helpful girl at Footlocker phoning the number listed in the mall directory, the shop is not yet open! Apart from that, all OK here – will try to get a SIM in San Fran.
Email me!