Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels
3 reviews for Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels
Oh good lord, do not, I repeat, do not break down inside the tunnel.
Zipping right along and BAM!!, I hit something in the road and blow out a tire. Begin instant tears and total panic. I frantically pulled over as far right as I could, continue to cry, dial 911 and try not to pee myself as semi trucks and oxygen deprived skiers haul past me going 65+ (there is a speed limit in there people!)
911 operator told me to stay in the vehicle, help was on the way and they already had me on camera. Did you know that every vehicle that goes into the tunnel is watched? For this very reason I am sure. Who knew? She said the little horizontal signs were blinking "Disabled vehicle ahead, use caution / stay in vehicle" and sure enough, the one over my head was giving warning.
Not more than two minutes later, a little white van pulls up behind me and a brigade of Oompa-Loompas pop out and goes about the business of changing my tire.
I was able to make it into Frisco to get a real tire but I couldn't stop shaking or being teary.
The road is a little rutted which can be scary anytime but they sure were there to help when I was stopped dead.
May the universe smile on the Eisenhower/Johnson tunnel and the people who keep us safe inside this marvel of technology.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (5)
- Cool (5)
One of thebest drive ever! and up ahead went to arapahoe basin, where I started to hang out and learn how to ski...(great instructor find Rick )but of course the best part is travelling with a great companion!!!
The Eisenhower Tunnel (truncated for brevity) is a modern marvel of engineering that links the Denver-ites to the Snowland of Rocky Mountain Ski Resorts. More specifically the "I-70 Resorts" of Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek, Winter Park, Copper Mountain, Ski Cooper. I am not including Loveland because you can access it from the east side of the the Divide.
These tunnels are rad! Over 1.6 miles in length, there's a whole lotta rock scraped out to make it.
Be careful in crappy weather, the incline Westbound is steep and the decline after passing has ruined many a motorists' day. For God's Sake, do NOT pass going 65 when it is snowing! The lifts and fresh pow will still be there if you show up 10 minutes later.
Caveat when you are driving home after a good session. There will be traffic starting at 3:30 pm and continuing until the tourist in their rental SUVs finish spinning out at 7 pm. Relax, hit a restaurant and hydrate for your drive home.
When I get to the tunnel, I know I have about 20 minutes to Key, 35 minutes to Breck and a long way to Vail and longer to BC. But without it, we are all rolling up the 6, and that gets sketchy...