Wednesday started according to plan, with me rising early and checking out of yet another IHG Hotel. Breakfast was the usual industrial version, but the omelets were pushed too close together, and I ended up with a plateful instead of my usual one. I stuck to one cup of coffee, as I noticed it was upsetting my tummy of late. I had only my Gym bag and had showered before breakfast, and soon was in the EV, headed to my first charge.
I argued with Air VW the Gray about charging, overrode it, and took it to the first good charging location (i.e., Fast and over 350kW), a Love Truckstop, where I charged to 100% in twenty minutes. This prevented dropping into the teens later. I would again override and use the Sacramento International Airport for another charge, but only up to 80%. Lastly, I was thrilled to find a 400kW Mercedes charge station and charge to 97% (the charger said it got a bad code at 97%, but I also restarted the car and think I tripped it) at a Starbucks. I got a coffee and a glass of ice, then made my own iced coffee because I wanted their 1971 brew, not their premade iced coffee liquid. It is about time to get one near a coffee shop. Now, if we could get a bookstore and something like a bike shop or a Vegan food shop, we would be going full Liberal then. Maybe someday (Walmart, casinos, bowling alleys, and Targets seem the usual choices). And the coffee and the charge were the usual prices! Yay!
Going back a bit, it is hard to cover the driving, as it is just point-and-go in an EV with excellent cruise control that automatically adjusts up and down, and lane correction. The traffic would increase around cities and nearly disappear between with an occasional random clumping of slowness. It was neither difficult nor boring. California is lovely to watch go by. From various plants, to grapes, to trees filled with nuts or olives, and from damp to dry and literally scorched by fire.
Lunch was at the Olive Pit in Corning, California. I had the muffaletta burger, which uses their jarred olive and pickled veggie spread (some of which I acquired for personal use), and it was excellent (after I removed the top and cut it up like what is served in New Orleans, though it would be cold cuts there). I got some olives and olive oil. Unless you love olives and are comfortable tasting them out of a bottle (I did not try any), it is not much different than what you get elsewhere, but I try to stick to local stuff. I got about 1/2 a case of stuff (some for Dondrea to remember NOLA to Donna and Z — $10 for a huge jar of the muffaletta stuff, had to get spare).
The drive to the national park, National Lassen Volcanic Monument, was fun and cost me 30%, which is not bad, as it was over a 5,000-foot climb. I have my annual pass (I have a card that goes over the President, who put his picture on it! ) and just went in. It was about 3ish when I arrived. The drive was fun, but with all the fire damage, it is now clear how steep the road’s sides are! I learned that the Sulfur Works (Bumpass Hell trail is still closed by snow) was easy, and drove a few miles into the park to reach it and park there. It was wonderful, with the bubbling sulfurous mud and smelly geysers. I left the park at 4ish and reached Chester, only to learn there are no good charging stations. My maps were wrong, and when I rechecked them, it appears I confused this area with another Chester with charge stations. Puke!
I managed to use the Antler Hotel’s basic chargers (about the same power I have in my garage) and add 15% over a few hours. I ate dinner slowly and read at a local place. The food was 1950s with industrial flavors and heavy salt. Also, the recommended item was burned and covered with extra gravy to make it less obvious. No names, as it is not fair to the place. Another was recommended, and I will try that on Thursday night, my last night in California.
Yes, I am going home (starting singing that Rocky Horror Picture Show song in the pool) soon.
At the B&B, no AC, but the ceiling fans work, and it never got over 80°F here. An older guy asked me who I was and where I was from, and then said Oregon was ruined and a terrible place. I objected, and I had the feeling he was not used to being denied. He made a few cracks and then ignored me. Not feeling any warm fuzzies here.
The park, on the other hand, was excellent, and the rangers and maps were great. It is lovely everywhere. Just stay at an IHG and plan your EV to drive in and out of the park, and then charge. All worth it; even the B&B without good chargers (don’t do the meatloaf! Ever).
Thanks for reading
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