Dan Returns Part Deux - Florida to Kernville

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4/18/09 He's home. Pictures to follow.
Wow - Danny really did make the right decision taking the southern route instead of trying to take 70 over the Rockies. From CNN:

36 inches! Colo. spring snow strands hundreds

Travelers seek refuge as officials close 80-mile stretch of Interstate 70

To see the conditions he would have been stuck in: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-246069

4/17/09 Dodged a bullet. I guess Dan tried to pass Denver last night and it scared him. the weather was too much for his car and even with the heat on he was freezing. So, THANK HEAVEN, he turned back to Denver and to Amanda's. Thank you Amanda. He would have been stuck on the 70 with no rest stops. The 70 is now closed and he is taking the 25 to Albuquerque and across on the 40 until he reaches CA and his white water rafting training place. What a relief.

**Update** Dan is almost in California and the trip is almost over. He will meet up with friends in Santa Barbara and head to Kern County from there. What do I do with my blog now?

4/16/09 When last we left our intrepid traveler he was in arriving at the Florida Keys - actually he had gotten to New Orleans, but we are picking up from his visit to the Keys and the Everglades...... He is currently (12:00pm PT) in Kansas, making his way towards Denver and hopefully a friendly face in the person of sister-in-law's sister, Amanda.

**Update** There is a winter storm approaching Denver due to hit in the morning. It was recommended to him that he get past Denver ASAP because he will otherwise get stuck there. So at this point he is considering going as far over the mountain as he can. I am a little worried as I have driven that and it is steep and long. Wish him luck and if anyone has any insight for him, give him a call. He does have a time issue - has to be in Kernville by the 20th.

***Update 2*** I believe Dan has decided to stay with Amanda tonight. I am relieved because driving over the biggest mountain in the US tired, in the dark and in weather conditions you have never experienced did not strike me as wise.

Florida Keys

The road into the Keys

A key Key

Truck enjoying a break in the southernmost part of the contiguous United States

Sunset on the Keys

Back on the road from zero mile

Can't even get away from insurance salesmen in the Everglades

Connor

Mrazek Pond in Everglad NP

Jumping fish - click on picture to see better


Gators - the white in the bushes above are birds

Gator Gear

New Orleans. This is the only place he went - to look at some of the wreckage.
Missed the more charming parts of the city, but it is hard to get past Katrina.

A wind turbine blade