H340 Wanted - "Update"

Ray, are you coming across on I-80? Remember we are at exit 312. Let me know. If you don't want to see us, then don't reply. :)

Dale,

Current route had us going I70 from Ohio towards Denver, but I'm certainly not locked to that, and could just as easily take I80.

We would be coming through your way, probably on either October 28 or 28th (Wednesday or Thursday). If you got the room, we'd be happy to pull over there for an evening on a trek home.

Ray

Ray,

My guess is you are going to head south as soon as you realize your chosen route will be snowbound that time of year.

Snow bound in October? Well, I guess there will always be a plan B. I had talked to several folks who suggested no problem in October. But, obviously the weather doesn't have to cooperate.

Ray

Look at the dates again. Any time that late in October snow can fly.

Ray if you go I80, check with Gary D on his secret bypass of Salt Lake City. That was our only hang up on I80 to Spearfish. Once you hit I15 south of Ogden you have smooth sailing to Las Vegas area and home. A visit with Dale & Jan J is well worth going a little bit out of the way travel. Denver west on I 70 is no piece of cake in a new bus.

Geez, what a bunch of weanies!:p

Colorado and Wyoming have already had snow. But you'd have to get up over 12K feet to step in it.
!-70, west from Denver is just a slow pull. Once you get up Mt Vernon Canyon area west of Golden, you need to be is in 3rd gear.
Once up top you have several miles where 5th is fine.
Then up Floyd Hill and down to Idaho Springs, you use 3rd gear and the jake on high.
then you have a gradual pull , and some level driving until you get to Georgetown Hill. That will be 3rd or even 2nd depending on who makes you loose your momemtum.
After Silver Plume, your bus can pull it 5th gear and do 65.
At the approach of the Eisenhour Tunnel, the tunnel speed is 45.
Upon exiting the tunnel, its 3rd gear/jake, NO Sweat for 11 miles to Silverthorn.
Then up a small hill to Frisco and you have good driving until you come to Copper Mtn Ski area, and Vail Pass.
Your Series 60 will pull it in 4 or 5th gear.
Once ontop, there is a slight grade down, levels off for a mile and then down the hill you go,....,,,,,,,,3rd gear and jake.

After West Vail, its smooth sailing downstream to Glenwood Springs. After that, its downstream to Grand jct and a piece of cake into Utah.
We have done it good weather, and bad. If is bad, now a days, we just adjust when we leave. .

The grade south out of Flagstaff in I-17 is more brutal than Colorado's I-70.
I-70 is in better shape pavement-wise and less traffic than Donner Pass.,
Done them all in sunshine and snow, prefer sun.:D

Current plan is to stop and see Denny and family off of I80 in OH. Then head towards Dale and Jan's still on I80. From there I think I76 heads right into the Denver area where we are stopping to see Jim and Chris.

Originally from there I was headed back to Southern CA, but my destination now is Lake Havasu AZ, where I'll store (and use) the bus for 2-3 months (tax reasons).

Dale has mentioned I25 out of Denver, as a possibility too. I haven't really worked out that possibility, but do want to get to Havasu as quickly as possible, as I've got to be back working on the following Monday.

But, this is shaping up to be a great trip, stopping to see 4-5 of our POG friends. We are really excited about it.

Ray

PS: Just a quick google maps check show that I25 is about 30 minutes longer in time, but about 70 miles longer. Must be a faster road?

Ray,
Dale is correct. I-25 to Santa Fe and Albuquerque would make a fast trip to Lake Havasu.
Santa Fe Skies in Santa Fe ( POG 2 Rally site) is 364miles from house and take 7 1/2 hrs.
then to Albuquerque and I-40 to Flagstaff and beyond. Good drive, just lots of trucks on I-40

Thanks Jim. I'll keep both options open. I've been down I-40 many times, but have never taken I-70. Then again, once you get to Vegas you're on a road that we've seen dozens of times too!

ray