Westward

You wake up to a chill in the air. It is the type of chill that is refreshing, but makes you want to stay in your warm, soft blankets. The sun's rays reach out to you invitingly, helping you to achieve the simple task of getting out of bed. You slip on your clothes for the day and think back to where you and your family stopped the night before. You remember the dry cool air of Rawlins, WY. You look out your window and see the sage green of the sagebrush and the dry yellow weeds that pop up in the spots vacant of brush. You step outside with your dog and go for a short walk. The rock and pebbles crunch beneath your feet, making a sound like someone eating cold cereal in the morning. The dry gives the distant hills a transparent haze.You return to the vehicle and feed your dog, who is bouncing and whining in excitement of the morning meal. You go inside to the restaurant with your family. When you walk through the door, the air is warm and soothing. The smell of pancakes, sausage, and fresh coffee makes your mouth water and you feel like you haven't eaten in 3 days. You order a ham, egg, and cheese sandwich and red skin potatoes. The meal is large enough you share it with your mom. You and the rest of your family, satisfied with the meal, hit the open road. Off to both sides of the road you see antelope. They all have their little minions. The babies run around playing with one another just like little kids.

A couple hours into your trip traffic comes to a sudden halt. Some vehicles turn towards the side of the road to miss the vehicles ahead of them. The traffic crawls a little. About a quarter mile ahead of you, you can see a couple vehicles on the side of the road and some people in the median. All of the traffic is directed into the right lane when you are able to see the cause of the delay. A car is on its roof in the left lane. Belongings are strewn about the road. Then you see the three small kids being led away from the wreckage. Two are walking and the smallest is carried. You think about how that can happen to anyone at any time and how precious life is. Luckily no one was severely injured.

Later on you are almost to Idaho when you see an amazing sight. There is a moose climbing out of a creek. The giant and powerful animal gracefully steps up to show its entire form. The black coat shiny from being wet and its stature so awe-inspiring. Then up the road a little ways you finally see the sign saying "Welcome to Idaho". You're almost to your grandparents, only 5 more hours. you go through Twin Falls and see the beautiful Snake River. The blue water set against the green banks. It looks so inviting in the warmth of the day, but you must keep going.

An hour and a half later you reach the final stop for the night. You will travel to your grandparents in the morning. Tonight you just want to eat dinner and get some sleep. You are at the Boise Stage Stop, known for its very good homemade meals. And although you're hungry you only want something small. So, you order a cheese quesadilla. The melted cheese and warm flour tortilla are very good. You feel full, so you go back out and climb into bed. Your soft bed and warm blankets make you so comfortable you fall asleep almost instantly.