Installment Numero Dos

Pictures being worth 1,000 words or 10,000 words won’t cut it tonight. I only have two pictures that I took today.

Our trip today took us from the shores of Morro Bay to the mountains of the Sierra Nevadas, sort of. Having just checked into Buck’s Lodge, we are adjusting to a $250 bill for a room that has one dinky window, space just enough to fit a queen bed with all the comforts of say, a 2 star hotel. However, having said that, we are 17 miles from the entrance to Yosemite…proving once again that it’s all about location, location, location.

The room faces a gas station that is no longer in service but it does provide shade for two dilapidated old trucks that are parked under the overhang. Our front door looks out on the road which is just one step our of doo…so close to being mowed down, it brings to mind our drive today.

The old gas station next to the motel.

We took highway 41 to Atascadero, 101 to 46 east at Paso, turning left at 41 to continue driving on 41 to Fresno. Then it got really interesting. We took back roads and ended up on a road we weren’t sure went anywhere. But out we popped and hit 120, newly paved and a pleasure to drive in the 100 degree heat that enveloped all of San Joaquin Valley. Hot, hot, hot.

And this is why I pulled off to take my picture seen below. Those poor cows. Over 100, no trees for shade, no water trough in sight. We then passed a big ranch with a splendid gate that announced “Dry Creek Ranch” which had a big American flag flying to announce support for the GOP, I’m sure. They seem to have claimed the flag as their own while the old chap-wearing, spur- adorned farmers do all they can to dismantle democracy in these parts. If I looked up their Representative, I would be shocked to find a Democrat. No, these guys like the GOP because they think the GOP will build dams everywhere to capture the water that never arrives. We passed the San Pedro dam and it looked way low. We are always mystified when we see these signs. A dam isn’t going to a damn for them. Perhaps they should have a better slogan…”We are sure that God will provide so please build dams”. While they slam electric vehicles and solar power, they erect silly signs like it is going to make the difference. So silly, are these folks.

Rant over.

So, 120 going east is a huge climb. Hairpin curves, no guardrails. We could have performed a Thelma and Louise to great affect but thought better of it as it might have started a fire. Things are dry as a bone.

Yosemite this year requires a pass to drive into the park and passes are designed to limit the amount of cars in the park. What a fabulous idea. You can get a pass 1 week in advance. I think the limit is 70 so we were lucky to score. I’m talking about cars here, not age. It is all done on the computer so if you can’t connect to the internet, you may be screwed. This would impact people of modest means the most, of course.

We plan to traverse Tuolomme Meadows and fall out of the park on the East side via the Tiago Pass road which leads down to highway 395. Only done it once before when I was way young, so really looking forward the the ride. Think we will be on the outside, so other opportunities for ending it all will present themselves but we’re not ready to go yet!

Beau is laying between us as I type and Rayman relaxes on his iPad with his solitaire game. He was neither seen nor heard as he traveled on the floor in the backseat. Such a good boy. We must leash him up so he doesn’t bolt from the door and get squished by the cars that drive by our room to get the other rooms in the back of this building. What a hoot.

The road thru the Meadow is under construction. Did I mention that? Yes. Delays are expected. To avoid as much of that as possible, we plan to be at the gate around opening time which is 6 a.m. in the morning. We may traverse some gravel too. Glad we aren’t wanting to go to the valley floor in order to drive up to the Glacier Point. Glacier Point road is completely closed for the season for much needed repairs. That road offers one of the most breathtaking views on the globe.

Rayman is out walking Beau and I‘m going to conclude this travel log to hoof it over to Buck’s Cafe and Saloon… It might be a wild time in the saloon tonight.

Here is Rayman with a view of the saloon. It was surprising good. Avocado toast and tomato basil soup was dinner. Yummy. Actually was the best meal of the whole trip. I know this because we made it back to PDX and that is another Installment.

I’m having quite a time with this software. Glad you can’t hear me!!