The night was sleep and more sleep. I can’t remember a time when I slept so much. I have been having trouble sleeping, and I have been sad. I wake up and feel better. I figure out how the shower works in this hotel room. Why are there so many ways to run a shower in one of those hotel mysteries I have never dared to try to solve? I am content with just getting the shower to work. The water pressure is intense and excellent. I am soon clean, shaved, and assembled for the industrial breakfast. The same eggs and bacon and plenty of coffee get me started. Deborah called me, and it was nice to have her help begin my morning.
I took my bag, computer, and coat to Air VW the Gray and slipped them on the ice. There was no fall. The car was frozen. I decided to delay my start and plug into the ChargePoint charger at the hotel. At these temperatures, the charge takes more than an hour and will get me only 188 miles. I talk to Deborah and listen to my book as I charge.
The EV melts a bit, and I feel good about the hour-long investment. I leave, and snow greets me as I watch the black butte disappear in my mirror. The snow was short-lived, and soon, I was dropping a thousand feet every twenty minutes. The drive is terrific; every turn is another postcard view of the rolling hills with clouds. The fire damage turned some forests into burned sticks and blackened hills. Still, there is now green here and there as the earth reclaims the fire loss.
I also write the blog while I melt. I started it at breakfast and had time to publish it in the car. Interestingly, the EV supplies the network.
The twists and turns require attention, and I do not listen to a book while driving the descent. Shasta Lake is the end of the mountain passes and twists. As with every drive-through, I promise I will come back and try the lake and the caves—maybe this time. I have to get to a nearby Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Sacramento looks lovely, and I swear I have been there for a train connection. The first charging plan is next. The first one fails to work on two tries. A Tesla leaves, and I take its spot. It is only 150, and I take an extra 20 minutes to charge it to 100%. A huge Hummer EV (they make those!) shows up. It takes two places to charge. A petite gal pops out of the giant monster car. It is from Oregon! She plugs it in to charge. Wow, it is big!
My VW showing its love…
After a few hours of driving, it is time to take a charge break. Every station is full! I wait ten minutes, and one comes open, and I connect. The Tesla’s owner told me he was unhappy with his car. It seems like a gadget to him, and like my choice of a VW, it is a more practical car in his mind. Interesting.
I used the nearby Walmart restroom, had another snack in the car, and listened to my book more. Scott recommended it, and it is fantastic: Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to A by Yuval Noah Harari. It explains how information and people interact and covers why networks can run without truth. It is fascinating to me. Recommended.
I have enough charge to make it to the hotel, with a remaining 50% charge. Excellent. The last push is hard as I get tired, and the pouring rain is hard at the end. I make it to Visalia, turn onto a five-lane one-way the wrong way, get turned around, and find my hotel.
The room was fine. I parked the car according to instructions and found Rookies, a local bar recommended by the hotel. I had a large beer to celebrate surviving the drive and to remember St. Patrick’s Day. Their Reuben sandwich is enormous and contains freshly cooked corned beef. Excellent.
Thanks for reading. Tomorrow, I’m driving to Long Beach to meet Deborah. It will take just four hours. Air VW the Gray has handled well, and the charging has been good. Forced breaks are not bad.
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