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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.

 

We rose early by alarm before 6 to be ready for the rope drop at Disneyland this morning. I had purchased our Tier 4 tickets for two with Lightning Lanes, but not park hopping. It was still a lot of $. We looked into VIP treatment, but Disney, never afraid of charging too much, sets a premium on those services of over $5,000. The hotel charges $7 each for its bus service to and fro, inclusive. The first bus leaves at 7:15, but we were ready and in line by 6:45, with Deborah getting a quick sandwich and coffee at the Starbucks in the hotel lobby. Everything went as planned, and we soon passed security and entered the long lines to get access. This involves scanning the bar code or watch and then accepting a picture. This can be a lot of moving parts, and some lines are stalled. We were able to pass by those challenged by technology and get scanned and photo’d without delay.

The first ride at Disneyland for us and about 35 minutes amount of more folks who got there before us was our first target: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. It was a separate $29.99 purchase for faster access (each)! Deborah was disappointed that we had to wait that long. But eventually we were arrested by the First Order, and we told them nothing. We escaped with the good guys, destroyed the ship we were on, and, after considerable work, found an escape pod. We would discover that the lines were short at one point in our visit and would return to escape again, but this time following a different path, and I would be called out by one of the First Order Officers to be watched, as a likely escape was on my mind.

It was still early, and we were in the Star Wars area, so we were engineers on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and later returned to try at piloting. Piloting with Deborah going left/right and I trying up/down was great fun. The Haunted House was the usual fun, but our Lightning Lane failed for Space Mountain as the attraction stopped working. Later, we would get back to it, though there was a mistake in how we handled the pass, and they let us in anyway. I forgot how much I enjoyed Space Mountain. We learned that our passes are only good once per ride. The Hanted House was down to 13 minutes (notice the number) for the evening, and we would return, and I would buy an expensive shirt there (using Deborah’s magic credit card to get 10% off).

By chance, Deborah spotted and grabbed a lunch stop at Blue Bayou, which I have wanted to eat at for years. I had the 70th-anniversary prix fixe dinner: steak, salad, and dessert. Deborah had the market fish, and we both had the mint julep without booze, which they have served there forever.

The Pirate ride was down for updates. We did see the test runs for the Pirate Ride of empty boats and one filled with test dummies at Blue Bayou, and Deborah loved the falling-star simulations we could see while we ate lunch/dinner.

We did the bobsled ride, which, to my memory, has never been open during any of my visits, and it was an excellent ride, though I felt a bit pretzel’d getting in and out. We did silly rides like Mr. Toad, Dumbo, and Snow White just for memories. I outscored Deborah on Buzz Lightyear. The Enchanted Tiki Room was enjoyed with the required Dole whip (after having to order online while standing in front of the stand, with them walking me through the steps). The Mount Thunder railroad reopened, and our pass worked this time, and we got a short line for that.

Deborah’s magic credit card got us a bonus round with Star Wars’ Kylo Ren. He demanded that we join, and there was some unusual directness for Disneyland. We were neutral on our acceptance of the Dark Force and the First Order. We were, we learned, luck to survive.

Lunch at Ranco Zolcals was too much chicken, and we learned we could have shared soft drinks and coffee, since the portions were all beyond what each of us needed. Something to remember next time. At the Blue Bayou, we had dinner for lunch, and the portions were appropriate for dinner.

Somewhere we did Indiana Jones, which ends suddenly, Jungle Cruise, and others I have missed. We stopped by the magic shop, where there is a signed photo of Steve Martin; this is where he started his career. The magician was talking shop–various ways to move your hands for a disappearing trick, and I did not see anything I needed.

We found Starbucks as we started to walk out. We visited the last showing of Lincoln at the Opera House. It has been playing since the 1965 World Fair, where the animatronic Lincoln and film were a hit. And while it is not as good as a human actor, it is still surprising how accurate it appears and how wonderful the words are. With Lincoln’s strong warning words that the only thing that will destroy the US is internal dissent. In the current times, a near-overwhelming message.

We took the train all the way around the park, as I do not remember doing the whole of Disneyland before. It is a small park that you realize you have time for only because there is no time to get to the next section on the train. The time-worn images of a made-up Grand Canyon and poorly animated stuffed animals are now blocked off, and 2D paper cutouts cover some of the glass (now opaque). The same music and voice-over were kept.

We had fun and enjoyed each other’s company as we rode everything we wanted (between breakdowns) and skipped It’s A Small World. We skipped the California park this trip and focused on Disneyland, and that was fun.

We walked out of the park just as our bus pulled away, waited 30 minutes, then were back at our hotel and went to bed early. 18,000+ steps for me, plus standing, made my Apple Watch happy.

It was a good time!

Thanks for reading.