Day 23: California

Fires 

My original plan was to head south from Newport and see the Sequoia National Forest, and then head East to Redding California for the night. I caught on the news yesterday that there is a huge forest fire near Redding and it’s not contained. I didn’t want to get caught in a fire and I didn’t want to take a hotel room from a firefighter or evacuee, so I changed my plans today. It was probably my hardest day of the trip so far. 

I decided to go east and then around the fire, staying in the Lake Tahoe area tonight. There is no fast way to get from west to east in Northern California. I left before sunrise heading east through mountain passes, when the sun came up I was in heavily forested and mountainous terrain, with the rising sun hitting me perfectly in the eyes as I went east. I eventually headed south and east through ranch land and I started noticing the impact of recent fires. At one point I saw a temporary sign, showing where the incident command site was located and another sign showing where the helicopter landing site was. 

When I hit the California border, smoke was everywhere, it was thick and it covers the whole region. I noticed a few spray painted plywood signs saying thanks to Cal Fire, so this area has seen it problems too. I skirted Reno, which is stuck in the smoke and where I am tonight in Truckee has a persistent haze.

Last night at dinner, I had the longest conversation I have had in 3 weeks. A couple sitting near me outside, was from wine county, north of San Francisco. They were in Oregon scouting places they could move to. They explained that for the last 4 years, their house has been threatend with wild fires, and they are getting tired of having to have a “go bag” at that door. They were surprised with how expensive Oregon has become, I guess it’s because of all the other people from California moving to escape the fires. 

At any rate it’s good to be the Lake Tahoe region. I have been here a few times skiing. Last time I was with John and we were staying at a Casino. I woke John up and told him it was time to get up if we were going to make first chair at Squaw Valley. John hit the shower and I went to the Casino to play blackjack, while I was there, I realized I had not changed my watch, so it was in fact 4am. I went back to the room and told John to never mind. Needless to say, we made first chair. I think we were there before most of the employees.

Song of the Day: Hotel California, The Eagles Podcast: 

Stuff You Missed in History Class, today Gerrymandering – turns out in started in Massachusetts. 

Book on Tape: Started the Wright Brothers by David McCullough

Beer of the Day: Lazy Hazy, Fall River Brewing 

Total Miles 560