Author: alohawild

I am writing this Saturday morning about Friday’s ten-plus-hour drive back from California.

I started at Chester, California, near a lovely lake and only 25 miles from Lassen Volcanic Park. This time, I took Nav to swing around the park and headed in a vaguely northwestern direction to reconnect to Highway 5 near Redding. The locals had shared with me that they use the same path, skipping the National Park or the scenic route that passes by the entrance and continues to Chester in a mostly west-to-east direction. I checked with Nav using an app and the built-in Nav in Air VW the Gray (this Nav is connected with the charging of the EV), and the same results appeared. I was later disappointed that Nav added 90 minutes to my trip, about 1/3 of the way in. Hmmm.

I rose early, before my alarm, and risked another use of the claw-foot tub for a shower. I managed to not slip and get clean. I shaved, dressed, and all that. I packed up, loaded the EV, and took my laptop to the parlor. Another person from the Fort Bragg area of California was using the table. There was a small writing desk. I sat there this time and wrote postcards and then the blog. Soon, another guest joined, making a pair, and they, too, were waiting for breakfast, and they asked me about my driving and my home to pass the time. I took a few moments to answer and be friendly. It was nice this time to have folks who knew how to address strangers and be good guests. Excellent. Other guests, looking well-heeled, were less friendly and rude to the staff.

Aside: I always try to play the role of an older, well-traveled, friendly, and innocuous guest when traveling alone. Deborah is likely eye-rolling as she reads that. I did say ‘try.’ But it is always the innocuous side character in the murder mystery who is actually the culprit.

Breakfast was scrambled eggs with some cheese, goat again, over toast. Rather light, but I had a lot of driving to do, and it worked for me. With my key returned, I headed out and thanked the manager. I did, not sure she cared, covered how I made the EV work if she has another customer (unlikely) to show up with one. And with that, I headed into where nothing is found in California’s northeast corner.

No cell service, and even the EV lost contact with its mothership, and I was happy for the overcast to keep the glare down. It was lovely, and I did climb to over 5,000 feet again. I have never done a 7% decline before, and I suspect it was 7.4% as it was steep. There were only a few towns and no EV charging services anywhere, let alone cell service.

The landscape was pine trees, most burned and dead, and volcanic boulders filling the fields, with some piled into little hills. Patches of the trees had survived the fire. The area was filled with burned tree trucks from salvage lumbering of the burned and charred trees. I would climb up in the EV and then descend, regenerating some of the energy used. This happened over and over. I passed an observatory in Hat Creek and thought there was no light pollution in that valley for their observations, but I later learned that it was SETI, and they are listening. I suspect there is little electronic noise there either (here).

I finally came down to 1,000 feet and then connected with Highway 5. I then tried to find the correct charge station with 18%, and there were some mistakes, horns from indignant California drivers, but the local Arco station just off of Highway 5 worked, and after 45 minutes, 100% was reached.

(Yes, that blurry picture is the Oregon sign)

I did not reach the Oregon border until after 2, and that meant about a 7:20 arrival time at home. The endless passes followed and sharp curves for hours. The trees started to return to familiar shapes (no fire damage) after an hour in Oregon, and it rained.

My only charge in Oregon was at the familiar Seven Feathers Truck Stop, and after 45 minutes, I was again at 100%, which was enough to reach home (though at 19% on arrival). It was raining there, and I put on the felt hat and my Columbia jacket and truly felt like I was home. Deborah commented in a text that Michael had returned to his natural environment when seeing a photo of me in the rain near the EV.

The traffic was light, and there were no events or much construction for the rest of the trip. I have driven it many times and found it quite easy for the next four hours. Nothing like driving in LA! I was soon home.

I will leave out a bit (it is someone else’s story to tell), but eventually I was in bed, after unpacking and mopping the floor, and soon was asleep.

Thanks for reading.

Thursday morning started wtih me packing everything in my room and loading it back into Air VW the Gray with a 67% charge. I gave my keys to the manager of The Bidwell House in case I get stuck somewhere and can’t get back. It was unlikely, but there are no charging locations within 50 miles of the B&B that could charge the EV in less than 8 hours. But I believed I would be OK and that I had a plan that should work.

I rose early, had breakfast at 8:30, packed, then wrote postcards and my usual doomscrolling as the Supreme Court gave more away to the President. The court ruled again that even a dangerous product that is then approved by the Feds cannot be properly declared deadly in the US states. Ugh! Deadly should be deadly, but not today in the US. The usual states’ rights can be ignored when Big Chemical makes a deadly product, and the Feds approve it anyway. Hmmm. And then, gun rights in Hawaii should be evaluated against the historical context of the time when the 2nd Amendment was written (so said the Supreme Court previously), and they do not include the historical fact that the King of Hawaii banned all weapons in the Kingdom of Hawaii at that time. Thus, guns can be banned in some settings, but that was declared unconstitutional. Hmmm. But I digress.

Please consider the following: And for my 2nd Amendment defenders, I simply don’t agree with much of what the court has recently decided regarding the Right to Bear Arms, but I understand your points. No, really, I do. 

Breakfast started as I wrote, but I found all the place settings full except for one quite set, and I asked where to sit and then never saw them again. Hmmm (lots of Hmmm’s on Thursday). I returned to the place setting and was then acknowledged. Breakfast was soon offered wtih coffee. It was an olmet and toast. The veggies were all fresh from a local garden. I took it as presented and thought later that goat cheese and ham are not a fine mix, but still, it was fresh and well executed.

With that inside of me and my plans set (with a tiny possibility of being stranded), I headed to the Lassen Volcanic National Park. It was 25 miles away, with a small change in altitude (Chester, where I stayed, is already at 4,100), and I reached the entrance and parked at the ranger station with 51% charge. I remembered my homemade stamp book and stamped it while sporting the T-shirt for the park.

I skipped a return to the Sulfur Works and thought to see the bubbling lake. The drive to over 8,000 feet was breathtaking, but the road had no shoulder and, at points, was a near-straight drop of at least a couple of thousand feet. I white-knuckled a few times, and I had to keep all my attention on the curves and not look over at the amazing, wonderful view, as it would likely mean I would keep going that way, and while the view would be good for a few seconds more, the ending would be too impactful.

I can’t find words to describe the stark wonders of Lassen Peak. I will be back, but never when there is snow and ice up there. I stopped at a few lakes and views near the top. I don’t hike, and I was alone, and phones stopped working. I did start one trail near the bubbling lake, but it went straight up (I might have been on the wrong one), and I realized my lack of balance, lack of practice, and the 7,000+ altitude made me return after only a few minutes. I was breathless too. Back to the car and just photos of interesting places, most from the EV.

I enjoyed the drive and the views (now no longer on roads somehow pasted to a cliff). I found the exit and museum at the North Entrance/Exit, got more stamps (different ones), and then drove for more than an hour, but only using 1% to 47%. I then drove to get lunch (chili from Wendy’s with fries) and then charged.

I was now at 98°F after 60°F in the park (it was afternoon now, too). The car took a 100% charge (just checking it was still doing that, it was), and I headed North to Shasta Lake and the Caverns. More roads with no shoulder and great views followed as I left Highway 5 and took the interesting path to the Caverns.

I was surprised by the number of stairs down to the lake, and after a 15-minute wait, I joined seven others for a tour (a small group, I was told). We took a pontoon boat to the other side and then a shuttle bus up another 800 feet to the caves. These were reworked for tours and were full of wet cement stairs and flattened floors. I have never done so many stairs; 25 flights was the count on my Apple Watch at the end of the day. We climbed, I think, about another 500 feet or more in the caverns.

It was only 70°F instead of the usual mid-sixties, and my coat was warm, and the humidity oppressive. I was tired by the end and found myself yawning and needing a nap. But this was no place for a rest! Bryce, our tour guide, was good at filling us in and knew every step. But it seemed endless at times, and I kept thinking of Tolkien, The Hobbit, and its Goblintown. I would recommend the visit if you are comfortable with many uneven steps. I had my boots on.

Bryce and I talked when we were outside, on the stairs down that were cemented to the side of the mountain, about Dungeons & Dragons. He is a new player and enjoys playing and DM-ing. I gave him my card and told him to contact me if he wanted to try something online.

The rest of the day was spent charging and driving back to Chester. I stopped at the same charge station in Red Bluffs and had coffee (and lemon cake) at the same Starbucks. Got to 100% and then drove to Chester, arriving with a safe 63% charge.

Dinner was at Aslan’s Grill (with a lion emblem suggesting the Chronicles of Narnia) and had Greek food. I was hungry, and it was good. I sat outside and had excellent Turkish coffee.

After that, I returned to my room at The Bidwell House, read, and slept early. The driving, stairs, and altitude had me very tired.

Thanks for reading!

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

I am in The Tap House at Madera in California, drinking beer and doing their Trivia night. It is a travel day, and I have driven out of the LA area, crossed the 4,144-foot-high road, and then faced temperatures over 100°F (38°C). The day started with Deborah rising early to spend some time together and to pack slowly and easily. Deborah finished her cereal, and I had some of mine (I will be taking back 1/3 of a box with me). I had packed most of my items the night before and moved them to the EV.

By 9ish, we were ready to check out, and I met Deborah with her bags out front. We had no trouble reaching the John Wayne Airport and soon were dodging some cars dropping people off. I pulled in front of a car that could have pulled up, but we managed. There was a Rolls behind me.

Deborah collected her bags and was off. She had a quiet few hours (no coffee) in the terminals, learning that there is really only one terminal and that it was about a mile long to walk all of them back-to-back. Deborah would reach Detroit without issue.

I drove out of LA, changing highway numbers every five or so minutes. The traffic snarled only a few times, and it was a busy but fun drive out. I stopped at the base of the large hills to charge and use the facilities at the Walmart near the Six Flags Magic Mountain park (I have to go someday). I did not want to cross the pass without a bathroom break, a rest, and a charge.

No issues, though some folks braked rather suddenly in the fast lane a few times. I was surprised to see temperatures shoot up to 95°F and then 100°F. Traffic was heavy, and there was not a moment I was not driving. The heavy trucks generally stayed in the right lanes and maintained their slower speeds. The speed limits increased to 70, and I was often at 80. I was surprised to get a tire alert, but not that surprised.

I talked to Dondrea, and we agreed I should head to a Les Schwab store on the way. I added a stop on my Nav and soon connected with some polite and excellent people who said the tires were overcharged and have now been corrected. They agree that the climb and temperature change set off the alarm. Nothing. I soon reached the hotel.

They had a room, and it was now officially 100°F. I was uninterested in the pool (just add Old Bay). I took a nap and chatted with Deborah as she reached Detroit. I looked at the caves in the area to see if I want to go to those. It will add two hours of driving, but the B&B does not open until 3ish, so it would work.

I headed to the tap house, and it was Trivia Night. Team Wild was in last place of four. Danny was the MC. I know nothing about some items, and I could not remember some names. Hmmm, I was better at this once. I will have to try this again.

I had two beers and a couple of tacos to go with the reheated chicken from the Italian place. It was a fun night, and I learned that Danny plays Dungeons & Dragons and writes, too. I gave him my card. Ashley, my bartender, is a writer, and I gave her my card.

Thanks for reading!

 

It is 8 and the sun is going down. We are packing. I have the car loaded with anything spare, and I have my clothing for tomorrow and the next few days until I return home on Monday. Deborah is checked into her flight.

Dinner was at Duca di Beppo, with a mass of garlic bread left over, and a leftover dinner for me on Tuesday. I like the place, but it is priced for three (served family style), not two (thus the leftovers). We did not get a kitchen table this time, but still, it was good. We like the place.

Going backward, we relaxed, and I might have napped for part of the afternoon. No plans today, and after a marathon day at Disney, it was good to just hang out together. We did head out back to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and used valet parking. We went to the Story Tellers’ Character Brunch just after noon. There we saw Pluto, Mikey, and Minnie Mouse, plus Chip and Dale (Chip has a chocolate-chip-like nose). I always see these and folks in costume, but I saw Deborah greet them as real. They are, I learned by watching, the emanation of the character, and as real as you respond to them. To Deborah, the kids, and others who understand: while these are people in costume, they are also the characters and real. After I stopped resisting, it was really fun to see the characters and interact with them.

Aside: I should have known this. When I play Dungeons & Dragons, and even more so with Call of Cthulhu, both tabletop role-playing games, it is your mind that creates the interactions, and you have to play as if these things were really happening. I should do the same with these characters.

(Dale)

The food at the brunch was a super-powered buffet of everything for adults and kids. I loaded my plate with everything and went back for a small plate for some more dessert. It was wonderful, and I was glad I skipped breakfast. Our server, Tom, was great and ensured we had coffee and other drinks.

We had three hours on the paid valet parking, and we went back to Disney Downtown and shopped some. It was nice to return. Deborah found a few items. We also toured the hotel, which is wonderful but about $ 1,000+ a night.

Going a bit further back, we slept in and went slow all morning. Our feet hurt, and I began packing and took the first load to Air VW the Gray, and moved it closer. The hotel is now less busy as it is the start of the week. Everyone will be back in Anaheim on Wednesday and Thursday for another busy weekend. We will be headed out on Tuesday. Deborah flies home, and I start my drive back. We got going and took the EV across town to the Brunch.

And that is all for Monday. Thanks for reading.

Travel:

Deborah is back at Detroit Airport on Tuesday

Michael at IHG Holiday Inn Express Madera-Yosemite Pk Area Tuesday

Michael Wed-Thur: The Bidwell House B&B Inn, Chester, CA. Off to see the local sights.

Michael, after an 8-hour drive, is home on Friday.

Detail plan here.