Roadside Attractions

Inspirational song: I’ve Been Everywhere (Johnny Cash)

Yesterday was a race against the weather. We were on the high plains and in the mountains, and there was wind and snow threatening us. We got as far as we could, past Salt Lake City, and we set out at 6:30 this morning, to skip as much winter weather as possible. It started snowing on us right before the sun came up, and we had plenty of sporty moments in western Utah and eastern Nevada. But before Elko the skies cleared. By the time we stopped for gas in Winnemucca, the weather was great. We felt we had gotten far enough ahead that we started playing around. We spun a few rounds on Buffalo (penny slots), and I ended with my whole $20, and he had none of his. Before Reno, we detoured to see Pyramid Lake, the diminished remnant of the Lahontan inland sea that once covered all the way to Needles from there. There was a museum and cultural center there, and we wandered around and looked at all the exhibits. On the way up to the lake, there was a nondescript street sign that read “Chicken Ranch Road,” and I caught it out of the corner of my eye as we passed it. I’ve been too afraid to google it to see whether it is that Chicken Ranch.

We missed the exits for gas in Reno, and also missed opportunities for lunch. We kept saying we would find a truck stop and then go to a casino for buffet. We did neither. We headed toward Tahoe, sort of, and then tried to find gas in Truckee. Man, never need gas in a resort town in California. We only got a little, and then split off the highway when everything had the “Donner” name attached it it. (Maybe my pictures of Donner Summit/Donner Pass came out? I’ll find out at home when I can expand them and attach from the computer.) We took a scenic route through redwood forests, on tiny, tightly winding roads. Pulling over periodically to let lines of cars pass us was exciting, so to speak. The views at sunset were incredible, but immediately after the sun went down, so did the road. Practically straight down, until we hit the flats leading to Yuba City. In the span of an hour or two, we went from redwoods to oaks to palm trees. It was outstanding.

We didn’t expect to make it all the way to Chico tonight, yet here we are. We passed the signs leading to Paradise on the south side of town, and we nosed around until we found a Lowe’s parking lot where a dozen or more RVs were already parked, along with some tents and a port-a-potty. There were printed signs with arrows that directed where overnight parking was allowed, so we slipped in with all the folks who have been here for weeks. We ate the last of the food I had packed for the trip, save for the little bit I have for breakfast, and we plan to go to bed early.

Now that we are stopped, my body is telling me it’s very tired. But all in all, I am pleased to report this is probably the least stressful cross country drive I’ve ever done. Granted, all I had to do was ride, not try to hold this big pig in a lane in high winds when big ass semis blew past us. But when I needed to get stuff, I could turn around and get it. I had all the legroom in the world, and didn’t tense up once for being crammed into a small space. In fact, my pain levels are downright good, no small miracle there. I won’t miss dealing with this enormous RV, but I am not opposed to getting a much smaller one in the future. In fact, I relish the prospect.