Corning, California: A long day of driving - all of it south on I-5. How many times have we started a RV trip driving south of I-5? A hundred? Feels like a million. Yes, a beautiful drive... but after the millionth time so many times, it does get just a tadrepetitious. Luckily I have Solitaire on my phone to keep me occupied. Apparently My Driver keeps himself occupied by piloting a 45-foot motor coach (with a small Honda attached).
I did look up from my mini-screen long enough to see a rafter of wild turkeys along the interstate! Better hide, ladies - Thanksgiving is coming soon!
It has started snowing in the Oregon mountains. Most ski resorts have already opened. It snowed yesterday on the Siskiyou Pass - the highest point on I-5, just a few miles north of the California border. We planned our voyage today to cross the pass during the middle of the day. We needn't have worried. The temperature was 40°. Just a bit of snow on the side of the road. Lucky.Don't forget, we get to pass this way again on our return trip. Fun times.
And so we crossed into California and went through the Agricultural Inspection Station. Agents were looking for house plants, mangos, papayas and cherries today. We were safe. My organic lemons were spared.
We covered 361 miles today, and only made two stops. Our longest stop was for lunch at a rest area along the Klamath River just over the California border. This is a regular stop - a very pretty rest area.
The trees have nearly finished turning and a crew was busy raking/blowing/gathering-up all the leaves. The park has paths and large lawns for relaxing along the beautiful Klamath River.
Further on down the road, we had a very interesting experience. A man in a mini-van (with Oregon plates) passed us and then sped ahead, pulled-over, hopped-out of his vehicle and flashed us the Oregon "O" hand signal (example in photo, left) as we passed him. Then, he jumped back in his car, passed us again and continued on his way. We are thinking he was probably very disappointed to find a middle-aged couple in a pretty University of Oregon-themed bus - instead of football coach Chip Kelly driving the team to Berkeley. Sorry, dude, but GO DUCKS - and we appreciate (and understand) your enthusiasm.
This is a strange-yet-beautiful photo I snapped by placing the camera lens directly on the window as we crossed a bridge over Lake Shasta. This window has a mirror coating on the exterior. Anyway... just wanted you to see the water level of Shasta Lake. Looking good for your boating adventures next summer!
And so we arrived at exit 628 (Liberal Avenue) to spend the night at the Rolling Hills Casino RV Park. Just a place to park - with full hook-ups - and everything is self-serve. The above photo shows the "check-in desk". Put your credit card or cash in the parking meter and a ticket will spit-out. Choose any site. The sites are not even numbered. For $25, the site is yours until noon the next day. Walk over to the casino or stay "home" and watch the Miami of Ohio v Bowling Green Fog Bowl on television. (We chose the latter).
After worrying so much about snow and ice - it was very nice to arrive to a campsite in full sun and temperatures into the high 50's. We set-up camp (pushed a few buttons) before dark and settled in to relax.
You didn't forget about that lasagna, did you? Half-baked and frozen last Thursday, the lasagna thawed in the sink today while we drove. All I had to do was place the lasagna in the oven tonight. I know it looks gooey and cheesy - but it was made with low-fat mozzarella and fat-free ricotta. I put enough fresh basil in the layers that no one missed the fat. It was delicious.Tomorrow we continue south. Our adventure includes crossing the San Francisco Bay Bridge.
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Until my next update, I remain, your road warrior correspondent.