Day 35 - And it came to Pass(es)

Temperature in the 40's and the wind has died down.  Heat is still on!

We pulled out at 6:30 a.m. to head to Yosemite.  Should be a 3 hour drive and should route us around having to clear New Priest Grade road.  WRONG!

All went well until I listened to the GPS.   He had me turn off Highway 395 and that was the road we needed to be on.  I didn't notice as I wasn't checking the printed directions and they were vastly different.

We passed through a long valley was thousands of cattle grazing.  Then came the sign:  STEEP HILLS.


I knew we have to cross a hill or two to get into Yosemite.  Didn't seem to be a problem.  HA!  And somewhere we re-entered California.

Kit Carson Pass - over 7,000'

Avalanche Area - No Parking, Stopping, Peds

Carson Pass - 8,574'

Carson Spur Pass - 7,990'

Unnamed Pass - 8,0000'

Another pass with no name - no elevation listed

Peddler Hill - 7,000'

It's getting serious now.  There are vultures on the side of the road enjoying lunch with a deer.

Did I say it was a three hour drive?  It's way past three hours now.  There's a lot of snarling going on the truck, too.  And it's not Chrissy......

I realize we're coming up on Chinese Camp and that's very close to New Priest Grade.  That's when I realize what's happened with listening to the GPS.  We're about 10 miles from the campground at this point, but David won't pull the trailer up the hill at New Priest Grade.  He's afraid the truck won't make it, and there is nowhere to pull off on this road.  We call the campground and she tells us it's at least a two hour detour to drive around to the southern entrance.  David heads for the southern entrance going through Mariposa.

More of viewpoints:

Emergency Heliport in the middle of nowhere
Cowbells ringings

One of two idiots of the day:
We're on a two lane road and we're going slow.  We have an "entourage" behind us and we're careful to use the pullouts so the traffic can get by.  Apparently that wasn't good enough for one person.  We're headed uphill, there is a double yellow line, and a car is coming down the hill and almost even with us.  I hear the noise of a motorcycle coming from behind us!  He's passed two other cars and is now trying to pass us with the car coming toward us.  He actually passed between our truck and RV and the other car on the double yellow line.  How he wasn't killed, I'll never know.  I had my hand over my mouth and didn't even have time to scream!  He must have been crazy!

We passed Butte Store - "This is the only structure remaining of Butte City, prosperous mining town of the 1850s. As early as 1854 Xavier Benoist was conducting a store and bakery in this building. Later Ginocchio had a merchandise business here."  Highway 49

We enter Calaveras County - Yes, the county from Mark Twain's story of the Jumping Frog.  We missed the Jumping Frog Contest this year.  It was held in May.

We think about a turkey sandwich for lunch.  Especially when a turkey runs in front of the truck!

Saw a large fake rooster in someone's yard.

We go through San Andreas.  Is the fault here?  They were selling ambulance tickets in the town.  Do you need a ticket to ride in one?  Do you win one?

Yoga Sanctuary.  Didn't know it needed protecting.

Jacksass Hill - no elevation listed.

Mark Twain's Cabin - one mile.

We saw an array of American Flags along a long line of fence.  It looked quite nice until you got close.  They were all stuck in barbed wire.

Rawhide Road.

A beautiful valley seen from the hills.  Are the Barkley's home?

We go through the "town" of Hornitos.  The fields here are so dry. It looks like Alabama in late August/early September.

One road we've been on looks as if it will end in dirt and be the end of the road in someones driveway.  We turned off before that happened.

Mariposa!  The campground said to take 49, but the sign says Yosemite on 140.  We take 140.  Bad move!!!   We keep seeing signs about vehicle limits of 46'.  We are way longer than that.  We keep going.  The snarling and growling has vastly increased.  It's still not Chrissy....

Did I mention it was a three hour drive?  It's now after 3:00 p.m.!  We're tired and David's threatening to unhook the trailer somewhere and drive on.  I tell him the campground is already paid for, so he continues on.  It's gotten quiet in the truck.  We're going up a LONG hill.   There is a sign that concerns me:  Vehicle length restrictions and the fact that you get a $270 fine for over-length vehicles!  David won't turn around.  We keep going.  By now my Secret has failed me.

There is road construction and the road takes two strange turns over the river.  There is a one lane road with traffic lights and two bridges.  Seems a HUGE landslide took out the main road some time back and this is how you continue on the road now.  Scary!

We realize we're are going up a steep hill and there are rocks overhanging the road on our side.  I keep asking if the buses and RV's coming down are longer than us.  David says no.  We're headed over El Portal. Then I realize we're entering Yosemite through the Yosemite Arch.  Didn't know it had one!


I was recovering from my surprise when another one awaited me.  The Yosemite Arch.  This picture is through the windshield and doesn't do it justice.  All I could think was "We ain't going to make it!"

Finally on the road to the campground.  It's 5:00 p.m.   We're almost there when the second scary driver meets us.  We're pulling up a pass and we have vehicles behind us.  Unfortunately, there are not many pullouts along this stretch of road.  A Suburban keeps passing all the cars behind us and tries unsuccessfully to pass us, to.  It's a no passing stretch of road, but there is a pullout ahead.  It's short and we start to pull in when the guy tries to pass us.  Only problem is there is a big vehicle coming down the hill.  We weren't completely off the road yet and the other car moved over.  The guy just cleared us both!  Then he proclaimed us to be Number One for the next 1/4 mile.

Campground ahead - 5:30 p.m.

Quick set up....quick dinner....and go to bed really early!

See you down the road!

Jenny :)

Day 34 - Bonanza! Carson City, NV

We left early this morning and headed for Nevada.  Nevada?  Yep, it's the only way we can avoid New Priest Grade Road into Yosemite.  SCARY ROAD!

No weird roads today except the 20 mph curve in Susanville, CA.  It's right downtown after coming down a steep mountain grade.  There is a house sitting right there.  You couldn't pay me to live there!

You know how people camp at WalMart overnight?  Well, the WalMart in Susanville even has parking for RV's!  First time we've seen that!

Nothing noteworthy along the road except a change from mountains and forests to flatland and desert!

Nevada!

Bordertown is a huge gas/shopping/fun place to get off the main road.

We get to Reno with no problems and make the turn for Carson City.  Here were some interesting clouds we saw:

They were crossing the desert area and when they got to the mountains, they disappeared!

The last 9 miles of the ride were rather exciting!  There was a HIGH WIND WARNING for those last miles.  You didn't find out about it until you got on the road where the warning started.  Glad we didn't have to go far.  It was VERY windy!

The last time we were here, we drove to Incline Village where the "real" Ponderosa is and toured the set.  We also went to Virginia City.  Little Joe couldn't have ridden there to pick up a few groceries!  It's toooo far!

Safe at the campground.  No heater on, door is open and there is a nice breeze blowing.  Tomorrow is Yosemite!

See ya down the road!

Jenny :)

Day 33 - Lassen Volcanic National Park - sort of

David scraped ice off the windows this morning.  We're still running the heat and wearing coats.  California has to be warmer!

Again, it's one of those days with David and the curves in the road.  We're trying to get to Lassen and see the park all in the same day and leave for Nevada the next day.  Tough schedule (and I won't do it again!)!!!

CALIFORNIA!


Screaming Mimi has returned and now she is threatening the driver!  She'll drive and leave him at a rest area.  She'll push him out of the truck.  He's about as happy with me as I am with him!  LOL   He finally "chills" out and it's better!  LOL    We're speaking!

Strange signs here.  Couldn't get a photo of this one.  It showed a guy crawling on hands and knees and a light shining from his forehead.  A few minutes later we passed the entrance to a cave.  It was a sign to let you know a cave was ahead!

Best one:

Passing cars when you can't see
Will soon help you cease to be.

We saw lots of people who were in danger of "ceasing to be."

We get to the campground in the middle of NOWHERE!  It's a KOA about 13 miles from the National Park.  If you want internet it's $10 extra.  If you have a pet, it's $2.00 more.  BUT, we did get a discount because of our KOA card!  Second time we've been here....FIRST AND LAST!  Did I mention no TV or cable and $50 a night!

The lady at the campground told us the park was closed due to snow.  You could go in the ranger entrance, but that was it.   We came this far and so do the original tour, so we headed out.  More curves and hills, but no trailer behind us...at least not ours.

The sign behind the "SIGN" says the road is open for 10 miles!

We drive looking for a spot to photograph the volcano, but alas, tooo many trees.  Here's the only shot I got and it was taken with trees in it, too!

Well, at least we visited another National Park we hadn't seen before.

Off to Nevada tomorrow!

See ya down the road!

Jenny :)

Day 32 - Crater Lake!

We got up early in the cold - 30's and headed to the park.  It's a long way!  Or is it?

When we were here two years ago, the north road into the park was snowed in and most of the rim road was closed.  We noticed the north road was open and tried that entrance.  Nine miles from the RV park.  We're still laughing about how close we really were the first time. 

The ranger told us that a portion of the Rim Road was indeed closed due to snow, but more was open than the last time, so we headed into the park.

Did I mention the snow?

Chrissy and I are standing in a pullout that normally wouldn't have snow.  We saw other taller snow peaks!

Even the trees are dusted with snow.

We drove around the portion of the Rim Road that was open and taking photos.  We decided to head back to the campground and found that the portion of the Rim Road we saw closed earlier, was now open.  Off to the other Rim Road.

Notice the clouds reflected in the lake.

Snow plow?  We don't have those at home.

And one more snow image:

Back to the campground with NO INTERNET!  I'm still blocked.  Oh well....maybe tomorrow.

Tomorrow we're off to sunny California and Lassen Volcanic National Park!

See ya down the road!

Jenny :)

Day 31 - Off to Crater Lake, but only to the campground

Cool and a little cloudy as we leave Portland.

Little did I know this was going to be a day to try my patience!

We are gaining altitude from this point and the truck is trying to overheat.  Possible water pump problem?  Hope not....

Twisty, windy roads...deep forests and many campgrounds.  We saw one called Cattle Camp Campground.  There was also a sign nearby showing range cattle near roads.  We couldn't decide if you camped there if you got a cattle to grill or the cattle got you!  LOL

The roads get worse and so does the driving!  Curves are wild!  Husband is wilder!  There is a 10,000 pound trailer following us and pushing us down and around the curves!  My grandsons call me "Mimi" and I'm just short of becoming "Screaming Mimi."  Actually, I am screaming on the inside.  Oh wait.....one slipped out and yelled at David to SLOW DOWN!  He's finally convinced and slows down...a little.  Needless to say, by the time we get to the campground, I'm a wreck.  Fortunately, the truck and RV aren't!  LOL   Also, we're at a different campground than the one we planned.  We went back to the one we visited two years ago when all the snow was piled up.  NO SNOW in the RV park this time!

We get set up and decide to go to Crater Lake tomorrow.  Last time here, it was all day getting there and back.  Too late in the day to try it today.  This park advertises itself as the closest to Crater Lake.  It's really not close at all! Or is it?

We had smores with the couple next door, Mike and Diane and their two boys, Grant and Gage.  They are from Portland.  Great couple!  Happy Camping!

Tried to check email and update the blog, but I got blocked about 10 minutes in  for using too much bandwith.  They couldn't even tell me why.  Just cut my internet off. 

See ya down the road!

Jenny :)

Day 30 - I DID IT!

It's cool again this morning and partly cloudy, but rain is in the forecast for the day.

One of "my" SEBC alumni, Steve Bils, lives in the Portland area and he's taking us to breakfast this morning.  I know Steve from the alumni records and from Facebook, but we've never met in person.  His wife, Trudi, won't get to join us today.

Steve picked us up at 8:30 a.m. and we drove to Troutdale.  Cute little town with Trout on the welcome to the city signs.  We had breakfast in a general store.  They sell a lot of things besides breakfast.  You can tell by the Christmas tree in the photo!

Steve came back to the RV and we all sat and talked until his assistant called to remind him of a meeting.  It was after 1:00 p.m.!  We were having a great time talking!

Now it was time for the day's big scheme.  Last time we were here, we visited Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge area.  It's a tall fall and has a walkway about half way up.  I was afraid to climb it last time, but David did it.  This time I was determined to do it!  It's a little stormy looking, but we go ahead!

We parked across the road from the falls and took the railroad underpass to cross the street.

We cross the creek.  Look for the fish:

We approach the lodge/gift shop/visitor's center.  It looks like a Thomas Kincaid print!

Here are the HUGE falls!

See that walkway waaaaayyyyyyyyy up there?  That's where I'm headed.  It's a .02 mile hike, wet and straight up!  LOL

I'm on the walkway and very proud of myself!  This is the view of the lower half of the falls.  It gets better, I walk further up to another observation point!  ALL BY MYSELF!  I was soaking wet and cold, but it was so worth it!

Here's the view down from the walkway:

Long way, huh?  Mission Accomplished and back to Portland!

For those of you who LOVE flip flops,  you'll love this decal on the gas cap door of a mini-van parked next to us:

Laundry, pack things up, get ready to leave tomorrow, and visit the flowers in the park:

Stopped for gas and paid $.45 for using the debit card!  Crazy!

Sorry to leave Portland.  Would love to stay here longer, but the road is calling!

See ya down the road!

Jenny :)

Day 29 - Oregon - Washington - Oregon and back again!

Today is June 14 - Flag Day!

Cool this morning - high 40's and we're still running the heat!  It's cloud, too, but no rain.  Today's expedition is Washington Park and the Rose Gardens.  The last time we were here, they were just beginning to bloom.  Since the Rose Festival has kicked off here, I'm sure there are plenty of roses to see and smell.


Sir Garmin of GPS directed us safely to the Park.  We parked near the tennis courts (parked there last time!), so we could find our way back to where we parked.  Also had the GPS mark our coordinates just in case!

You can smell the roses before you ever get to them.  They are everywhere and in almost every color!  I could have taken thousands of photos.  Some of them were large as small plates and there were miniature one, also.  I love climbers and they have those, also.

Next few photos were some of my favorites:

Okay, not a rose, but I love Calla Lillies!

Now for my favorite flowers:

David decided he needed the oil changed in the truck, so I asked Sir Garmin of GPS for WalMart.  Thirty minutes later we were in Vancouver, WA at WalMart.  I knew we couldn't be tooo far from the campground.  I was right.  Short trip back.  We passed the campground to go to a gas station down the street from the RV park.  Guess what else was there?  WALMART!  Could have walked there!

Did you know you can't pump  your own gas in Oregon?  There was one guy trying to pump gas at 12 different pumps!  He was going crazy!!!   You also can't pump your own gas in New Jersey.  Today's Trivia!

Tomorrow's plans are Columbia River Gorge and I WILL CROSS THE BRIDGE AT MULTNOMAH FALLS!  We're also having breakfast with SEBC Alum Steve Bils who is in Portland now.  

I owe Jane Hitchcock of Washington a shout-out!  She's another SEBC alum in Washington, but we just couldn't get together this trip!

See ya down the road!

Jenny :)