9. California and Nevada

 

 

Day 24 - Saturday, August 12, 2000

The poodles allowed us to sleep until 7:30 AM. It was cold when I got up to go to the bathhouse - 53F - and the sun wasn't quite ready to light up the sky.

Had an unhurried breakfast while Antje walked the dogs, then went to the office to upload and get e-mail. We didn't hit the road until 10:15 AM.

Followed US 101 for a while and then picked up the Avenue of the Giants for the extraordinarily beautiful drive through the redwood forests. The size of these trees is just unbelievable, and their girth makes even the fat lady look slim.

 

 

 

 

After a while switched over to SR 1 - for the very beautiful transition from redwood forests to Pacific beaches and then a drive down the coast of northern California on CA 1 that was, simply, the best scenic drive ever. Yes, one should not be afraid of heights; and yes, one should not attempt the drive on rainy or foggy days; and yes, vehicle length should not exceed 25' - but whatever it may take for you to arrange a drive down this extraordinary coast - it's worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today being a Staturday, all the campgrounds along the way were full. Gave up on trying to find a spot along the beach and turned inland at Bodega Beach, headed for Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, and Calistoga - our planned first stop on tomorrow's schedule. Found the Napa County Fairgrounds with its 40+ sites. $20 for a level site with water and electricity. There is a fixed dump station, which is cleaner than the bathhouse. No fire rings or picnic tables. I guess the most charitable comment I can make about this $20 rip-off is that it probably beats not having a campsite at all.

Was on the road for 9 3/4 hours, traveled 315 miles.

 

 

Day 25 - Sunday, August 13, 2000

 

A quiet night, temperature dropped to 54F. Some diesel-driving idiot woke up everybody in the campground by driving up and down every aisle at 5 AM. But the poodles remained peaceful, so got to sleep for two more hours. Skipped the morning shower because of the unattractive bathhouse. Hit the road at 9:15 AM - sunny sky, temperature of 67F.

Drove through the Napa Valley - miles and miles of road past vinyards identified by famous names. Very little scenic beauty. Did not stop for tours or samples. Took some backroads to reconnect with US 101 and headed for San Francisco. Golden Gate bridge beautiful, despite the haze. Downtown SF not very crowded, certainly very interesting. Drove the length of Lombard Street - first up on the steepest grade the Westy has ever handled, then down the unbelievably steep descent at the other end. Certainly not recommended for any vehicle longer than a standard length van.

Crossed the Bay Bridge and headed for Sacramento on I 80 - jumped off to buy some fruit and produce. Back on the interstate rolled through Sacramento and then took SR 49 to Nevada City and Downieville, the latter stretch being exceptionally scenic. Pulled off the road for a 30 minute power nap while Antje and the poodles explored a stretch of the Yuba river.

 

 

 

 

Then on to Sierra City, where we got a $19.80 site at the Sierra Skies RV Park. Price includes a small but level site, water, electricity, sewer connection, an incredibly clean bathhouse, and a magnificent view of the Sierra Mountain range.

 

 

 

 

Drove 280 miles and was on the road for 7 3/4 hours. Bought gasoline near Sacramento at $1.819/gal. Averaged 15.8 mpg on the last tank.

 

 

Day 26 - Monday, August 14, 2000

 

A good night's sleep. The California bear that had visited the campground nightly for weeks did not show up. Enjoyed a fabulous shower, a leisurely breakfast, and hit the road at 9:15 AM. The temperature had already climbed to 66F from the night's low of 54F. It would hit 105F when we crossed the Nevada desert.

The drive on SR 49 was just perfect - a winding road climbing up to Yuba Pass (6,700') east of Sierra City, then dropped down into the lovely Nevada Valley, then SR 89 climbed back up to the Donner Pass area along I 80. The drive on I 80 to Reno was quite scenic. Jumped off to raid a local Safeway and then spent the rest of the day on I 80, crossing the Nevada desert, enjoying views of craggy mountain ranges to the south of us.

Nevada's I 80 isn't as boring as one might expect - there are scenic stretches, especially crossing the Golconda Summit (5,142') east of Bliss, the Battle Mountain area, and the vistas of the Ruby Mountains. If it weren't for the 100+F heat, I would have been tempted to do some exploring off the interstate.

Jumped off I 80 at Wells to claim a site at the Mountain Shadows RV Park. Definitely a "recommend" place. While the sites are extremely close to each other, they are meticulously kept, beautiful green grass and gravel, and certainly the most comfortable and cleanest bathhouse we've ever enjoyed. The laundry room, too, is up to the highest standards, and Antje ran three loads. $20.13 got me a totally level gravel site and grassy patch with water, electricity, and sewer hook-ups. The price is after a 10% AAA discount and a $1.00 pet charge. As befits a super campground such as this one, they are modem-friendly and will let me upload. Add the Mountain Shadows RV Park to the short list of "stay there" parks.

Drove 420 miles, mostly on I 80, and was on the road for 7 1/4 hours. Bought gas at the Flying J in Winnemucca (love that town's name) at $1.699 - the Chevron station across the street demanded $1.899. Got 14 mpg on the last tank.

 

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