Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
There were moments when the rain stopped, just for a bit, and the sun shown through.
road trips
All posts tagged road trips
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
Driving on hwy 20 from Williams, California over to the beach was wonderful. There were a couple of mini rock slides, but that was minor and nothing compared to the big wind we had experienced on I5. All it did on 20 was rain. Rain we’re used to.
Hwy 101 was OK for awhile. Periods of rain, wind, periods of rain, lightening, more wind, more rain. There were a few highlights… the chipper woman in the the plush red velveteen pants who served Karen more chai at the Starbucks in Brookings, Oregon. Karen came out with the chai and said, “this was served to me by a woman in plush red velveteen pants”. We laughed. We also listened to some great music, sang, loved on Weston a bit (he was an excellent car traveling dog), and had some great conversation. All of that when times were happy and bright… in other times, no radio, not much conversation, and a shaking dog who was afraid of the rain, wind, and lightening. It, all of it, was an adventure.
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
Friday we got up and were on the road out of Sacramento about 8:30. We’d re-checked the weather online and knew that it was going to be a long day. Conditions in the Siskyous were supposed to be impassable later in the day. The weather pundits were warning travelers to stay away from the pass, that there would be blizzard conditions, and that if you attempted to travel it you should have your water and blankets and other supplies to last a few days because there was a good chance you’d get stuck up there. We also knew we couldn’t go through the Sierras as it was predicted that there would be 12 feet of snow there. The storm was big and it was bad. Our choice… go from Sacramento over to the coast, drive up 101 to Reedsport, Oregon, and then back over to I5 toward home. It adds a long way to what is normally not that bad a trip, but we figured better safe than sorry.
So… we knew it was going to be a long day. And, it was. We started by leaving our hotel in Sacramento and seeing that a tree had come down in the parking lot. Over night the storm had come in and we were experiencing hurricane force gusts. The rain was moving sideways in big sheets… it was a daunting way to start the day. None of us liked it, especially Weston, who said a big NO to trying to do his business out in it. Poor little guy, but who could blame him. Not me, I was out with him holding the leash. He stood it only so long before making a b-line back to our room and then another one out to the car so we could take off.
We drove North on I5 for a bit out of Sacramento, up to Williams and the Hwy 20 cut off to the beach, and while we were driving the wind was blowing so hard… trees were ripped out by the roots at orchards we passed. We also saw a semi-truck laid out on it’s side going south on 5… not sure what happened, but we were betting that either a gust of wind made hydroplaning possible for it, or he’d had to brake and because of all the rain he lost traction. Either way, it wasn’t good. We heard later, after we’d gotten off I5 that parts of I5 were actually closed at times on Friday. Before getting off of it we stopped in Woodland, a bit north of Sacramento on I5, to fill up on gas, and get some chai and some food for the road. It was bad. Karen went in for the chai and food at Starbucks, I pumped the gas at the gas station. Funny how this picture doesn’t quite do the wind and rain justice. Nice plug for Starbucks though… I’ll expect the check in the mail. Karen said the place was packed. People just trying to be somewhere warm and dry for awhile in all the wet.
Thursday, all in all, was a pretty uneventful travel day. We left at about 9:30 in the morning from Las Vegas and ended up in Sacramento about 7:30 that evening. The weather, though a bit windy, was not bad for most of the day. It only started to turn as we neared Sacramento… that’s when the rain started and the wind got a bit worse. At the time we had no idea what that would mean for the following day….
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
This truck made for some good picture taking. It was also a good spot to pull over for pictures of the windmills nearby and the Joshua trees that were growing everywhere in the area.
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
We traveled passed these enormous and numerous giants as we made our way through Eastern Central California. I don’t know why, but these things always fascinate.
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
Photo by Karen
We were traveling on CA 58 and passed this truck carrying a load of oranges.
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
Vegas adventures continued… On Thursday, January 3, we packed up the Subaru, our rental car, and hit the road. This is as close as we got to the strip this visit, passing by on Hwy 15 out of town.
Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl
Our first full day of driving on our way to Vegas. We’re resting comfortably, all three of us, in our hotel room in Salida, CA.
Yesterday we picked up the rental car, this time a Subaru Forrester, at about 4. We had it home, loaded, and were on the road by 5:00. One stop at a rest area near Albany along the way and there we were, pulling into the hotel parking lot at 10:45. Not bad.
Today we were up and on the road about 10:00. We were worried we wouldn’t be able to get through the pass over the Siskyous because the night before chains were required, which we don’t have, but this morning, waiting late enough, we were fine. There were only a few areas where the “caution ice” signs were lit up. We had no problems, and were even able, or at least, Karen was able, to take some pictures as we drove along. We stopped the first time, not counting the stop at the Starbucks right by our hotel this morning to get a chai, at the rest area at Weed. And man, was it ever cold there. The temperature readout said 35 in the car, but with the wind chill it was much much colder. VERY. We both felt like we had frostbite just walking to the restroom and then walking Weston around the pet area. BRRR. He had no problem with getting back in the car either, I think the little mister was feeling the cold as well.
So far, the trip has been great. Karen made terrific road food, fried chicken and deviled eggs, and we’ve already had three meals from the batch of stuff she made. Nothing like driving along trying to wrestle a big ol’ piece of chicken and some deviled eggs, but it was worth it. Completely tasty. It’s the road food of her childhood and let me tell ya, it’s a good combo.
Tomorrow we get to Vegas and Dan and Linda’s place. It will be so great to see them, and their little ones.
