Friday, May 4, 2007

Part One of a 35 Day Journey

As I expected, once we got the camper loaded the afternoon of March 26th, Bob decided we should just get going, instead of waiting until the next morning as we originally planned.  It was a cold, rainy evening...I was in my sweats, my old flannel shirt and heavy socks...my cold, rainy day outfit. I had not planned to take them, but was later very glad I had them with me.  I also grabbed an extra blanket on my way out the door...another good decision.   So a little after 7pm we pulled out of my driveway, drove a few blocks up the street and got onto the southbound entrance of the I-5 freeway.  We drove until about 10:30pm, when we reached Albany, Oregon.  We found a K-Mart parking lot where there were other RV's parked for the night and settled in.   The next morning we continued down I-5 thru Oregon.  It rained off and on all day and once we reached the Medford, Ashland area we ran into snow for the first time. When we crossed Siskiyou Pass, the road was bare and wet but it was snowing.  Anyone who travels this route, awaits that first glimpse of Mt Shasta (northern California)...in fact there's a popular vista site where you can pull over and take pictures and drink in the view of this beautiful mountain.  Well, for us...that was not to be.  The mountain was covered in clouds and was hiding from us.  So, the next goal is crossing beautiful Shasta Lake and getting to Redding for that first In-N-Out burger (I even offered to buy lunch that day).  Oh my it was so good !!!!

From there we headed east to Lincoln, California to my cousin Susie's house.  She's been to my house several times but this is the first time I have ever been able to visit her.  She lives in a beautiful 2 bedroom house (she picked out the floor plan, etc) in a large 55 Plus community.  She had chocolate cake and ice cream ready for our late arrival and the three of us (whoops I forgot about her 2 dogs) sat up very late laughing and talking.  Bob choose to sleep in the camper parked out in front of her house and I took the beautiful guest bedroom.  The next morning we spent some time over breakfast, took showers and then said our goodbyes. 

From there we headed over the famous Donner Pass.  It was cold and very windy when we stopped at the Summit, but very beautiful.  I've read enough "pioneer" type books the last few years, to know some of the horror stories of our early settlers who crossed this pass over 100 years ago.  I thought about those dear souls that afternoon and it caused me to be very grateful for the nice warm truck and camper that I had at my disposal, as opposed to a covered wagon or even less that were available to those early travelers.

Later that afternoon we arrived in the town of Truckee, California.  It's one of those great little historic towns, that's full of fun little shops, restaurants and close to the Northstar Ski resort.  Which was Bob's intended destination.  With his season pass here in Washington at the Snoqualmie Ski Resort, he also had 2 free days of skiing at Northstar.  He's gone there every year in the past but of course I was always working so he always went alone.  The altitude in the Northstar parking lot is 6,330 feet above sea level...and let me tell you...this fat old lady was really huffing & puffing (well Bob was too, especially when he was all dressed up in his ski gear) when walking from the parking lot into the village.  The first morning he skied, I walked up with him and it was really tough going.  But, the second day..it didn't seem so bad.  This ski resort is so beautiful.  There's even an ice skating rink surrounded by cabana's, shops, condo's and hotel rooms.  I discovered a Starbucks right across from the rink, so grabbed my book, got me a grande, non-fat, decaf, white mocha and settled down on one of the couches in the cabana's and just kicked back.  It was cold, but I was bundled up and the sun was shining...ahhhh I could have gotten used to that real easy.   After he finished skiing the second day, he called me (we were in contact via our cell phones) and told me to meet him down where the gondola's take the skiers & snowboarders up to the first level.  He had arranged for me to take a ride on the gondola.  I was excited and terrified at the same time.  Being in one of those little gondola's dangling above the ground from a cable....oh my !!  I was amazed when we reached the Day Lodge when we got off the gondola.  There was a big restaurant plus hot dog stands, etc there.  There were literally hundreds of skiers/snowboarders eating & relaxing in the sun.  We sat and watched the snowboarders coming down thru their half pipe and just enjoyed all the activity.  Of course from that point there are several chair lifts that take the skiers, up even higher on the mountain (elevation is 8,610 at the top.)  I think the ride down on the gondola was a little more scary than the ride up...but it was fun and I'm glad I got to have the experience. 

So that's the first installment....until next time, Linda 

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

It'll be fun traveling along seeing the country's beauty through your eyes.   I've enjoyed installment one and shall be looking forward to number two.   Have a great weekend.   Judy (CT)

Anonymous said...

Wow look at all the snow! and the pictures of Shasta Lake are beautiful!
What a great start to the trip....
Linda :)

Anonymous said...

PS.. I WANT YOUR COUSIN'S KITCHEN!!!!!!
Marie

Anonymous said...

What with the fantastic photographs and your wonderful narrative I felt like I was right there with you on this journey Linda!  I CANNOT wait for the next insallment!  Just fabulous!
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/

Anonymous said...

Can I echo Maries every word [including the kitchen],I loved this entry ,and eagerly await the next episode ...love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

Linda
This first leg of the trip sounded interesting and the pictures were great.  I can't wait to read about the rest of this adventure.
SAm

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed this.thanks for sharing..
lyn

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a great start to your trip.  Very good writing, I could just feel myself being there.  Joni

Anonymous said...

Linda thanks for installment 1 ~ loved reading and am looking forward to next one ~ Loved the photographs ~ Ally

Anonymous said...

Again more lovely photos Linda, You have such a beautiful country with each state so different from the others. Lake Shasta is so beautiful and of course so were the dogs. :o)

Love Sandra xxxx

Anonymous said...

Wonderful writing. I felt like I was riding right along with y'all. GREAT photos. That lake.  The snowy misty mountains.  Beautiful.  Can't wait to read more.
Barb

Anonymous said...

You are so lucky to have been able to take the trip.  The pictures are spectacular!  There were a few of the pictures that brought to mind my very own Blue Ridge Parkway here in NC.  When I think of the mountain ranges of the West, I always think of the younger mountains without all the vegetation.  This was very different to what I am used to seeing from that end of the country.

Greg

Anonymous said...

Great pictures!!!!xoxBarbara

Anonymous said...

Hi Linda, sorry I'm late commenting but I'm still playing catch up. I'm coming back here tonight to read up on all your entries on your trip! Thanks for the post card, it looks like you had a good time! Jeannette xx  http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels/  

Anonymous said...

I love gondola rides Linda! Wish I'd been there! I'm glad you got to your cousins house and got some rest there, sounds like you had a lot of exercise on this vacation! Jeannette xx  

Anonymous said...

Wonderful! Can't wait till next entry! Tammy

Anonymous said...

These were wonderful photos!  Thank you so much for sharing you trip.  I really enjoyed it!
Marie

Anonymous said...

Hi Linda just read your journal for the first time, and looked at your wonderful pictures.  What a wonderful journey you had.  I will look forward very much to the next installment. bye for now Kathie.

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic trip this must have been!
And what wonderful photos:)
I'll have to catch up on all the rest of the installments!
Kathi

Anonymous said...

I am so excited reading your travel journal ...that is my dream!
Marti
http://journals.aol.com/sunnyside46/MidlifeMusings

Anonymous said...

Had a friend from the Sea/Tac area in Washington, he loved Snolqualmie Pass and Lake Sammamish.  Geeps, taking to the road like this, a perfectly timed adventure.  Keep us informed so we can enjoy it all by proxy!  Safe safe xoxo CATHY