From: photoduniya.com

After a snowy night before (day 2) and a morning with snow, gusty winds and rain in Salt Lake City, UT, we were slightly agitated by thoughts of road closures. And not having any planned and programmed map, while added to the sense of adventure, also became quite a challenge.

I-15N about 30 miles from Sale Lake City @ photoduniya.com

Taking I-15 north from Salt Lake City, UT for about 215 miles we reached Idaho Falls by 3:30 PM Mountain Time. But to our dismay, route 26 that is to take us all the way to Jackson Hole was closed! We met to road faring ladies in a small pit stop where the board hang saying that we cannot go any further on Route 26 to Jackson. They gave us a new route – to head 40 miles further on Route 20 East and take 33 East to Wyoming. And we did! By the time we reached the pass on Route 33 it was 5:30 PM Mountain time. The sun has just about set and the snow is just starting.

I-15N in Utah about 100 miles from Idaho Falls @ photoduniya.com

Luckily, the pass, though icy, had just opened after a few days of closure due to heavy snow falls, and there was no sign for snow chains yet! We reached Jackson Hole by 6:15 PM Mountain time and moved into the cozy Painted Bear Inn. While I am writing this at 8:50 PM, we returned to our hotel after a hearty dinner at the local Bubba’s, it’s 17 degrees Farenheit now and the weather report shows heavy snow tomorrow.

While I shall write in detail about this trip later on photoduniya, Iam posting a few images from today. The second image was taken handheld while driving through the windshield.

From: photoduniya.com

We are on the second day of our cross country winter drive, from California on the West US coast, to New York in the East US coast. It is a total distance of about 3,000 miles, with a minor diversion to Jackson, WY. The map below shows the over driving map.

We have crossed California into Reno, NV on Day 1 and we’ve reached Salt Lake City, UT on Day 2. As I write, it is snowing here and more is to come tomorrow morning as we head out north to Jackson, WY.

 Day 2 snowing in Salt Lake City @ photoduniya.com

Since our hotels have not been booked in advance, we are checking in at any location as fits the situation and the time. I shall elaborate the drive later, but wanted to keep my readers posted on my trip and the location.

Day 1 in Reno, NV in winter @ photoduniya.com

It just started to snow and the flakes were big enough to be caught by the flash light. But that did not stop the new year revelers from trying their luck at the slots. I am carrying only my Nikon D200 and a wide angle lens. I do not have any other lenes or even an additional flash. However, I am able to make a few stops en-route to photograph as much as possible. I shall post the images in subsequent updates.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to all!

From: photoduniya.com

I had been up to Trinidad in Northern California this past weekend. Traveling from San Jose took about 6 hours amidst the fog, rain and winds. Quite unusual to my usual travel bag, this time all I had was my Nikon D200. Most of my stuff were already packed for the upcoming big-drive! I had to stop at an en-route Ritz Camera to pick up a Lexar 2 GB Card.

While I shall write about this short trip to the Avenue of Giants, the one colorful stop we made close to Garberville on Highway 101 is a roadside shop of chainsaw woodwork. Names “Legend of the Big Foot”, this has small to large wood carvings and miniature birds and animals. If you are on the way, do stop by to see a big-foot replica too.

Legend of the Big Foot @ photoduniya.com

More writing and images from the trip will be uploaded on the travel section of photoduniya.com.

From: photoduniya.com

One of the most visited places is up north on Highway 101 where the huge Redwood forests make an entire climate and an ecosystem. Tucked away in a side from the main highway, the Avenue of Giants is about 25 miles starting in Phillipsville on Highway 101 about 6 miles north of Garberville.

Although my travel was unplanned and in the dead of winter with frequent rain and sleet, the Redwoods made the 12 hour up-and-down drive from San Francisco worth it.

Redwoods on Highway 101 @ photoduniya.com

More writing and images from the trip will be uploaded on the travel section of photoduniya.com.