These time jumps are wearing on us, as we head west we are up before the alarm goes off.

After I did the write-up last night, BB had some 'fun.' We were in early so she washed some clothes. Not sure the whole story, but it sounds like they had to almost take either the washer or dryer apart so she could get our clothes out. Now we have clean clothes for another week.

Breakfast, the usual, plus made to order omelettes. It was my day for yogurt so I didn't have one, BB did.

Pulled out of the lot about 7 local. Four way flashers on quite a bit of the time. Blowing snow, snowing. Drifts coming into the lanes.

We spent a lot of time last night deciding where to stop today, finally ended up with a list of cheap fuel and a general idea.

1st stop was 100 miles down the road, over two hours. Pilot in Evanston. The fuel was a penny or two cheaper than the Flying J.

Forecast was for snow heading into Salt Lake City. That was actually the better/best part of the day. Just a little snow and clear sailing. The computer programs all wanted us to cut south before SLC, but due to the weather we went from I-80 right to I-15 in SLC.

2nd stop was at Springville for lunch, we had planned on eating at the Love's, McD's or Chesters. But when we pulled up the ramp there was a Cracker Barrel so those plans got changed. No issues today. I had the chick pot pie, may have been the first one I've had that wasn't a Swansons.

While we were stopped, I called to order my permit. Seems no one cares that I am pulling a trailer/chipper.

Somewhere down the road today, there was a truck trying to pass me. He was gaining and if I backed off, I can't gain speed until I go downhill so I didn't slow up. After a bit I noticed that the 1st car behind him was now straddling the center line. The truck got past me and then the car past him. Shortly after there was a car coming down the ramp and the truck hit the breaks. I suspected and it was soon confirmed that the truck wasn't breaking for the incoming car, but the car that was upset that he was stuck behind us. So that car would hit his breaks, the semi would move to the left lane, the car would speed up, the truck would pull back, the car would hit his breaks. Not sure what finally ended it.

Oh, we did head south. We did not go to Donners Pass. A few days ago there was a 10% chance of snow Thursday. Now the pass may be closed thru Saturday. Also saw online that the area from Rock Springs to Rawlins that we can through yesterday afternoon will be closed east bound for about 20 hours. (Because of the snow.)

3rd stop was Scipio at a Flying J. When I got out to fuel I saw the pump wasn't working, so I looked at all of the pumps and none were working. BB was going to use the restroom but at this station the diesel pumps are across the street from the station and it was blowing 40-60 mph and sleeting. With these pumps not working I drove over to the gas part of the station and they had two diesel pumps there. They weren't working either so I went indoors. It was dark. No power. BB did use the flashlight on my phone to use the restroom but after that they wanted everyone out. It was so windy I had to hold my cap on walking across the lot ... I even forgot to take a picture of the DQ for TripAdvisor. :)

Luckily I was not down to 'E,' so we found the freeway and headed out. 20 miles down the road there was an Exxon with diesel pumps. But they wanted me to leave my credit card before they would turn the pump on. Nope. So I paid for 10 gallons and they turned the pump on, pumps were very slow. When I was done, I had to go back in for a receipt with the gallons on it for tax records. This is why I try to stick with the major stations. This station was in Fillmore.

Because I didn't fill with the high priced fuel, we stopped again in Beaver at a Flying J. They have a whole bunch of pumps that say 'no semi's,' must be for RV'ers? Got a good fill, cleaned the mirrors and rolling.

I think up to this point today, I had spent more time under 45 mph than at the 65. The wind, anything that looked like an incline would slow us down. At some points it seemed like just the 'draft' from the passing trucks was enough to gain a mph or two. If the truck wouldn't have been downshifting at near 30 mph, it acted like it had a plugged fuel filter. But I've driving Hino's and they run like this. We also talked about it and this truck is rated at 26,000#. We weighted in at 25,400 so it IS almost loaded to the max, and it's empty.

I wouldn't be surprised if I have gone a full hour sometimes with my four way flashers on before the truck would get back up to speed.

After Beaver it must have been mostly down hill, it ran most of the time at 65 mph. Other than when we hit a few head winds.

Because of running so slow all day we were in danger of not making it to Mesquite tonight. But we made good time from Beaver to St George. And then we were in and out of St George in a few minutes. No waiting for fuel and any of the stations we stopped at today. Unusual.

As soon as we get back on the freeway in St George, there is the UT/AZ scale. The lights are flashing, so all trucks must exit/weight. First I get one sign, then a second. 'Return to the freeway.' But I need a permit. So I park and go to the office. It's locked, no one inside. Not sure why the lights were still flashing.

We get to Mesquite with a half hour to spare. We'll need that time somewhere.

Best Western is about the only name brand hotel in town, mostly casino's. Steep price, four times one of the casino's but from the reviews of both places, the Best Western is worth it.

Ate next door at Peggy Sue's diner. Really good food. BB had a BLT and slaw. I had a chicken salad sandwich and potato salad. All good.

Iowa is up over 80 RV's on the board, they are finally starting to put out south/southwest RV's. Other places have been adding more units coming out of CA. At one point today there were two non-CDL units going to MI. But we can't speak for anything until tomorrow. So the MI's are gone. Then they put out a bunch of CDL one's going to IA. Now we need to decide if we wait for a bus or grab one truck going right to IA.

We are still watching the weather. Donners Pass is still supposed to be closed on Saturday. If we head to IA, with a truck or with a rental car we will need to wait until the pass opens.

I see that snoqualmie pass on I-90 up by Seattle is closed 'indefinitely.'

For as slow as we are going, we are still going. Things could be worse, a lot worse.