Wyoming Ice....

Everyone has heard my ranting about Wyo. and ice. I’m here to eat crow. Most all of that was from 10 to 15 years ago. Maybe the increase in truck traffic has given them the tax money to do a decent job now?
I was able to get three drivers with my company to talk candidly about ice driving. I figured, ok. I’d give Wyo a second chance. So the first thing I see going north from Cheyenne last night? A sign saying; Watch for black ice. Oh boy! Then I run into snow and a slippery roads. I slowed down. This kept up after my 10 this morning. But I was actually seeing snow plows. The roads were passable. At reduced speeds. I have to admit that Wyo. has changed their road maintenance a bunch.
I must rescind my condemnation of Wyo. in this situation.

 

I don't know what it was like 10-15 years ago but yes they definitely do plow their roads now in Wyoming and they actually have a great road alert system on the net. At the Cheyenne POE one time I was asked what way I was going and she pulled up all the roads I was planning to take and showed me real time video of what those roads looked like. I was impressed.

 

I've had to many close calls in Wyoming over the years ..yes the maintenance and info is stellar over what it was 30 years but now we have the euros that drive 70 on ice and the poorly trained megas that God knows what Theyl do .
I run the south route after October .

 

I went 80E to 25S about midday today.

East of the rest area a tractor trailer had put it on the side in the median - freight spilled through the roof.

I 25 had plenty of 4 wheelers in the ditches (Colorado).

You have to be careful in that area - it’s notorious.

 

When I ran Wyoming, I would always check wyoroads.info before planning my day. They're on the ball with their advisories, plus they've got multiple cameras so you can see the condition of the roads.

 

Here is some Wyoming ice for those who don't see it yet back in the late 90's had interlock in at 15, tanker in front right was doing 10 or so. She was sliding a bit at 15, but nothing too wild. SE of Sheridan. Once we got into the area where the chains have been beating on it, you get to appreciate the airride a bit more.

 

Last time I was in Wyoming and the roads were bad there were so many wrecked trucks in the ditch you'd think you were driving though a war zone.

 

Yeah, the human element is greatly improved.
But, that ol' witch, Mother Nature, us just as bad if not worse at her games.

It's doable now... but wear Depends.

 

Years ago they simply closed the roads. You learned to take snacks and water. I think it was something about salt harming wildlife.

 

Is I25 a freeway all the way up to I90?
I'm thinking about taking it, instead of going through all those small towns. It might be faster to get to ND.
Yesterday, it was snowing and wind in Wyo. Partly the same in north west edge of Da Hills SD. Got up to ND and it cleared out. But geesh! 8 degrees. After sundown, it got perfectly calm in ND. Thought I was in the twilight zone. The time requirements stopped me from getting home by 45 minutes! So I spent the night there. 8 degrees at 4:30am. I got home this morning. Enjoying a few days hometime. My boss said I got too much to do at home and need more than a 34. It is true. Got taxes and bunch of stuff to straighten out.
Right now, I have to admit, I feel more at home in that truck than at home. Lovin' it.