The Golden State

California

After leaving the vineyard in bucolic southern Oregon we headed up over the mountains and down into California.  Funny how crossing a state line can make the vegetation change. Signs of drought were everywhere.

Lake Shasta was at an historic low and sad to see, but Mt. Shasta was amazing.  It just sits there, almost like a cartoon volcano but absolutely powerful and forbidding and alarmingly active.  
(Not my photo - far less snow on it now)


At one point on the drive down I saw what appeared to be a smoky haze ahead and felt alarmed.  


It turned out to be dust, whipped into the air by a 45mph windstorm.  Reminiscent of the Oklahoma dust bowl. 

Red flag warnings were up everywhere. Thank God there were no fires.  That wind was terrifying.  It was behind us though so we didn’t feel it until we stopped and tried to get out of the truck.

We spent 4 wonderful days in the Sonoma Valley, catching up with dear friends Leslie and Her Dan, and My Dan’s high school buddy Mark. 




















It was also great to not have to get up, pack up and haul out of town. It almost felt like a - what? Holiday?

Martinis in the hot tub.  Well, it is California after all.

Comments

  1. JandJOctober 18, 2021 at 8:20 AM

    Looks like it is running smooth now. I did not see the hot tub in the RV. Must have been up on the deck. Jary

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Language LadyOctober 18, 2021 at 5:13 PM

    is that two-martinis or a tea-martoonis in the tub?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trailer Trash MamaOctober 20, 2021 at 3:01 PM

      Too funny!! Tea Martoonis is no doubt how I would say it if I could ever manage a second martini. Last time I did that was the eve of my 50th birthday and that did not end well.

      Delete
  3. Jim BOctober 19, 2021 at 12:21 AM

    [Scene of a background of stars fades open. A scene in space. A clock floats toward the viewer. A door approaches. It opens. ]
    -
    [Fade into California. When? Now.]
    -
    [Rod Serling announces:]
    -
    Did she see an ominous dust devil in the third image? Did the wind make Dan's jacket defy gravity?
    -
    Shasta Pond? Mount Baldy? ... It seems like the weather is affecting California from what we call, The Twilight
    -
    [Camera sweep up. Fade in the stars against a velvety black-drop of space while fading out Mount Baldy.]
    -
    No, it's Highway 5.
    -
    [Back to reality. :)]
    -
    Very glad you got to meet your friends near my old stomping grounds where I was born and have relatives--especially Italian ones, I believe! Dan looks very happy and so do you!! Martinis in a hot tub would be fun!!!! I am so glad you both are having fun and getting into the ever more fun adventure.

    Jim and Jim :)

    ReplyDelete

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