Apr 17, 2013
What we saw today….
It was a chilly 53F inside the RV yesterday morning, the promise of things to come. We didn’t leave until 10:30AM as we wanted to avoid rush hour traffic through Sacramento. Just as we were in the midst of the freeway maze an old Ford van pulled up right next to us. We both heard a bang and saw that the van’s hood had flipped up and crashed into the windshield. I saw that the windshield was totally shattered and the hood was still in the up position blocking the driver’s view. Colin quickly hit the go fast peddle to get out of the way. I felt bad for the van driver but there was nothing we could do but get out of his way.
Next thing we saw was a huge electronic sign, “CAUTION HIGH WINDS’. Those winds stayed with us all day. Even at 55MPH it was a fight. We have never experienced winds like before. Just down the road we saw an RV awning laying along the curb. Ouch, that will cost a few bucks to replace. Swaying in the wind as he went by a ‘Safety Kleen’ truck shot past us. Seconds later we saw something flying towards our windshield. Colin touched the brakes to slow a bit and we saw a banana peel hit the road! The idiot was not being safe nor clean.
It is hard to believe that we have been on the road for nine days/ eight nights. The rest area we stopped in for lunch today had an RV dump and we decided to dump the grey water and take on some water in the fresh water tank. We have four more full days on the road and this will make it easier for us. We can go ten days without dumping but why push it if we don’t have to.
Extra stop along the road at Carmeh's request. At this point Caeli decided she didn't want to come back in the RV but stay outside. Colin had to carry her back inside.
These trucks are built in the middle of nowhere. I love the colours.
We never saw Mount Shasta this year. Instead we had some rain followed by a snow squall at the Black Butte Summit.
We arrived at the Yreka Walmart at 5:10PM. Today a 303.4 mile day and it should have only been 300 miles but I directed us right instead of left and we added 2 more miles. In my defense the instructions never said if they applied northbound or southbound.
As I have mentioned before we don’t have a GPS but CPS….a Contessa Positioning System. We saw diesel fuel for as high as 4.39 today. Good thing we will only have had to do the one fill up in California. Turns out that this was a great place to stop. In addition to having lots of space there is a good selection of stores.
Behind us is an O'Reilly store where Colin picked up wax for the RV for next year and a Walmart that did not have any heaters for sale, just fans!! There was a frost warning for the night.
Beside us was a Raley's store which is new to us. Here Colin was able to find 2 very nice electric heaters that we can use when the generator is on. One of our heaters is not very good and the other died so we were indeed in need.
Colin came back to get me with the news of a huge gluten free section. So I went in and stocked up on bread and pancake flour, bread, granola and granola bars and I can't remember it all but enough to get me through the first few weeks at home.
We were warm and cozy inside our house on wheels with the heaters on, a good dinner and the last hour of Celebrity Apprentice. All in all a good day. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.
A question from a reader asked about the condition of CA99. It is being repaved and most sections are in great shape. They are also widening the road, adding another lane which will make it very nice to drive next year. The worse sections of pavement was were they are still under construction but none of this held us up speed wise.
<< Older Posts Home Newer Posts >>
Hi Contessa:
We hit the worst wind we have ever experienced north of Sacramento a few years ago. 7miles to the gallon and a terrifying drive. We hole up when there is high wind and move when it’s gone. We have a little Glo Warm portable gas fireplace that runs on propane. It has an oxygen sensor and a thermostat and warms our rig up lickety split. Eric plumbed in a quick connect so we can hook it up whenever we are boondocking. No electricity is required and we bought it in Quartzite a few years ago. We almost froze to death in Quesnel a few years ago boondocking in a Wal Mart! We also carry an oil filled electric heater that we use when we are plugged in. Works for us!
Kathy….we use the oil filled at home. Eric seems to be very handy at fixing things and setting up that propane fireplace.
Ruth…..sent you an email. Started gluten free in March. Yes to the recipe.
Hope you have a better day driving tomorrow. We hate driving Sherman when the winds are so strong. At least you haven’t been getting the snow that we have. We are hoping to be back on the road tomorrow.
When did you start with the gluten free diet? Let me know if you want the recipe mix I use for gluten free all purpose mix that I use in place of regular flour.
Ruth
Today at Lac La Hache, ice left the lake! It was here, and then gone!
Spring hopefully awaits you at home. We have countem, three bulbs trying to bloom.