Grand Sierra Hotel RV Park, Reno
Wild Boar Bangers n Mash
Cranberry Chicken
An incoming weather front on Wednesday was not welcome. The winds began rather quickly and escalated to at least 35 mph sustained. I added water to the RV fresh water tank for the extra weight just to keep the center of gravity low. There were several developing 'lenticular' clouds forming in the area in advance of the snow.
Lenticular clouds beginning to form south of Reno before the storm
It began to rain/snow mix about dark and lasted till somewhere after midnight. However, in Reno we only got about 1" of the white shroud. Weather down in the Washoe Valley is much milder than on top of the ridges to the west. The top of the Sierras including Lake Tahoe got about a foot, very welcome this time of year. I'm sure our neighbor, Hall of Fame Skier Glen Plake loved it.
I built 3 extra days into our timeline and am glad I did as we used 2 of them to wait out the storm and it's effects. There are several routes across the Sierras, but in the wintertime storms will limit if not eliminate your options. I had planned on possibly traveling north on US 395 into Bend, OR, staying on the east side of the mountains till Friday's news of a storm throughout Oregon's southern Cascades. Even with the delay days our spirits declined some at times. We didn't want to think about so abruptly changing our plans, but we hadn't any choice if needed. Finally, Interstate 80 reopened. Barb and I had the look of twin 7 year olds on Christmas morning.
I built 3 extra days into our timeline and am glad I did as we used 2 of them to wait out the storm and it's effects. There are several routes across the Sierras, but in the wintertime storms will limit if not eliminate your options. I had planned on possibly traveling north on US 395 into Bend, OR, staying on the east side of the mountains till Friday's news of a storm throughout Oregon's southern Cascades. Even with the delay days our spirits declined some at times. We didn't want to think about so abruptly changing our plans, but we hadn't any choice if needed. Finally, Interstate 80 reopened. Barb and I had the look of twin 7 year olds on Christmas morning.
National Hall of Fame Skier Glen Plake and his wife Kimberly enjoying the winter weather
We finally got underway. Our route now becomes much more eclectic. We will cross the Sierras and hook up with I-5. From here on it was just a matter of calling it a day and pulling off for the evening whenever and wherever the hell we wanted to. Our first day went too well. We got up early, hit the road, crossed Donner's Pass all within 2 hours. Let me tell you there is a BUNCH of snow up there.
Donner's Pass
We were doing so well after we hit I-5 heading north that I just lost track of time. We traveled a lot farther than we planned. When it starting getting dark I had so scramble to look for a place as were high in the Siskiyou Mountains catching glimpses of Mt. Shasta from time to time. Most of the snow here is way up high and the valley's are clear. We stopped at the Friendly RV Park in the little town of Weed, CA. What a hamlet. I do have to say that diesel prices VARY WIDELY here in California from $3.59 all the way up to (get ready for this) $3.99! Unfortunately, as I waited a bit longer than I should have to get gas.......that is what I paid. I only put $50 in just to get me into Oregon.
Weed, California
The obligatory picture of somewhere not related
The second day we continued north and stopped to take a picture at the (almost) famous border town of Hilt, CA. No relation, just wanted the picture. This was a good day, but even with about 4 more mountain passes we arrived in Eugene, OR averaging 14.2 mpg. Today's diesel price in Oregon? $3.01 Our overnight consisted of a somewhat under the radar location: The Valley River Mall right next to the University of Oregon campus. I was clued into this by my cousin and her husband who stay here every once in awhile while traveling north. Free parking in the lot right next to the Willamette River. The security guard comes to see you, fill out a form, and then gives you a FREE permit to camp. You are allowed 2 consecutive days. There is a wonderful river trail, dog area, and park system second to none right out your door. If the urge strikes you, the mall is right there as well. I was struck by no such urge.
Valley River Mall Eugene, OR
Even on the road good meals are to be had: Cholula Chorizo Eggs n Taters
The next morning it was off on a relatively short 140 mile jaunt to Tillamook, OR. We had time to spare so we treated ourselves to 2 overnights while we once again visited the Tillamook Cheese Company and Blue Heron Dairy. Our normal boondocking spot at the airport was not open this trip so we set up camp at Tillamook RV Park north of town. A pretty bare bones park with hookups, laundry, and showers, but nothing fancy. 2 days w/discount = $83, yeah it's a bit steep. 13.9 mpg on this leg.
The Tillamook Cheese Factory is being remodeled to include an entirely new Visitors Center. It isn't finished yet, but will be later this summer. There is still a smaller version of the original you can tour, but just can't see the 'cheese lines'. Barb also treated herself to a Tillamook Ice Cream on a Waffle Cone. We visited the Blue Heron Dairy a bit further south so we could pick up some smoked Bri cheese. Amazingly the rain held off most of the day and enjoyed a nice afternoon, which of course included a nap.
42 degrees, windy, and raining
We awoke our first morning to the sound of running water, but it was not rain. The campground water spigot next to our RV sprung a leak during the night. I pumped 45 gallons into our fresh water tank and removed our hose. They have been in no hurry to fix it. Our first evening's dig was a wet nightmare. Rainy, windy, and only 42 degrees, we hunted hard for only an hour, getting only four clams and soaking wet. With the rain and wind on the beach it was hard to see any 'shows'. We did see a bald eagle with the same problem we had, no luck. Disheartened, we headed back to camp.
Boudin Mac n Cheese Goulash
After 3 days of battling the weather we didn't harvest nearly enough clams to make it worth it. Nighttime digs in the winter are a different animal. Not one of our better trips. We'll keep an eye out for the proposed late February early March digs to try again. We did stay over an extra day or two to enjoy the beach and get some laundry done. Another one of the best meals to be had here is the Local Bar and Grill, located just minutes from the state park. This local dive offers many different food and drink options that are delicious. The vast Seafood Specials to Ethnic to their famous Wednesday night Steak Specials ARE worth the visit. The Super Bowl Party offered 5 TVs, and several food and drink specials to make all of us happy, clams or not.
From here it is a mere 50 miles to mom's place and our RV camp in the backyard for awhile. We have been dealing with a 'soft spot' in our RV floor in the kitchen/dining room and we have an appointment while here to get that fixed. During this entire journey we paid a low of $2.39 in Gonzales, TX and a high of $3.99 in Redding, CA for diesel. We averaged 13.9 mpg for the entire trip. The next 6 weeks or so here will be an adventure, surely a test of wills. I love my mother, but we need to reach a reasonable understanding of where things will go from here.
"Maybe that's what life is......a wink of the eye and winking stars"
Jack Kerouac
WiFi courtesy of Verizon MiFi
No comments:
Post a Comment