OK, thinking up titles is getting difficult!
For the first time on this trip we didn’t need the fire on in the evening or over night. We woke up to partial sunshine and a temperature of 17°C…… bliss! We are still pretty high up at 5200 ft, but a little further south. Added to that there is a very strong SW wind blowing today bringing up warm Mexican air.
Below is the view from the dining table at this site.
This morning we hung around the trailer doing very little. The temperature climbed to 26°C, unheard of on this trip! So warm I braved shorts for the first time this year. After lunch we took a short trip out into the middle of nowhere to visit the worlds first breeder reactor to provide electricity. I guess it was located out here in the middle of nowhere just in case……
The site was started in the late ’40s and produced its first electricity in 1951. In 1963 Arco, where we are now, was the first city (well small town really) to be provided with nuclear power.
The pictures show the control room, no monitors, no LCD’s everything was large.
Above are the names of the staff at the site written with chalk on the wall of the building. This is protected today within a glass case.
The staff here also experimented with a nuclear powered aircraft engine, I guess they didn’t follow through with the project. Overall this was a worthwhile and interesting visit.
We headed back to town where I wanted to get an oil change for the truck, with our recent experiences I don’t want to take any avoidable risks, we were already 86 kms beyond the recommended change time!!!
Being a small town there weren’t too much choices as where to go. The first place we found had closed down, the second place wanted $90 plus the cost of the oil and the filter, they didn’t get my business! The last place quoted $80 all in. They provided the best overall oil change I have ever seen. Apart from the oil and filter, all fluid levels were checked, including the rear diff. All parts that needed lubrication were lubricated and all tyre pressures, including the spare were checked. Most impressed.
Tomorrow we are off to the moon.
CORRECTION (maybe)
There may have been a mis-indentification of some animals in previous blogs. What I thought were mule deer may well be elk. If any one can confirm one way or the other please let me know.