The first big storm of the rainy season and I must drive home from San Juan Bautista. It was very wet - rain or snow all day, fortunately traffic was light all the way. I left Mary's house not long after 7am and my first stop was Santa Nella for a decaf, grande latte! I almost always stop there on the way home and some of the baristas even remember my name!
Several of these pictures have windshield wipers in them and most show the crack in my windshield, that silver 'snake' across the bottom. If I had replaced the glass immediately after it happened it would have been done BEFORE I drove 2000+ miles, but I didn't and the crack progressed a little each day. I might be able to have it fixed on Thursday!
Here is Starbucks in the middle of the picture, Santa Nella seems to exist to service the travelers on I-5. There is no market that I have seen - mostly just gas stations and restaurants of the fast food variety. 
Bleak is the only word to describe the day and the landscape. You see no cars or trucks, not even behind me, traffic was just that light. 
After a few hours there was a break in the clouds and I thought the storm might be gone before I arrived at the mountains (the Ridge Route/Grapevine). But it kept on raining. 
The vineyards were all different colors, I like these red ones. 
I arrive at the foot of the mountains and it is still raining. 
Porta-Potties being moved isn't unusual, but there were about six truck/trailer loads going south and each held 22 potties. I think they might be in preparation for the New Year's Day Rose Parade. There are usually great rows of them, especially at the after parade display of the floats.
Going over the 4000 foot level. Snow is falling, but everything is so wet and the flakes just dissolve when they touch something. I'm so glad! Ruth McDowell taught me how to drive in snow, which I have been forced to do several times in the last decade, and I always send a blessing her way when those flakes start to fall.
The snow is sticking on the bare earth, but still not to the pavement or the vehicles. I really lucked out with the weather this time. I stopped for another latte and something to eat, stopped at Trader Joe's for milk and spinach (for the lovely soup that Mary sent home with me) and arrived home just before 3pm. Considering the weather and the number of stops I made that is really good time. In good weather and no stops I can make it in 5-1/2 hours, but I do always have to stop at least once.
Tomorrow is the December Fest, Surfside Quilters Guild's first fundraising event. I hope it will go well. It certainly seems to be well organized.
Aunt Dorothy still lingers. I have talked to her daughter every day and she says Dorothy can no longer talk on the phone and will hardly open her eyes. I'm so glad that I made the trip before she was comatose. Other than my sister, Dorothy is the only person I have always known - everyone else has died, so now my sister and I will be the older generation. Feels odd.
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4 comments:
I don't know how you drive all those hours by yourself in nasty weather - you are amazing! Hope the sun was out by the time you got home and that you are cozy and rested by now.
Yes, feels odd to think about being the older generation. I try not to think about it.
Morning, Del -- Glad you got home safely. Thanks for your blog reference in your email -- I read it out loud to Jer -- it was comforting to know that the snow wasn't sticking. So we finish up the laundry here and then leave. It snowed and rained (!!) in Beatty last evening. We heard this funny sound and didn't recognize it:-)
We'll be driving south to Baker and then over the Tehechapi Pass to Bakersfield. If the wind hasn't drifted the snow badly, we should be fine.
Glad you made it home safely. I'm also glad you got to see your Aunt Dorothy. We are the eldest in both our families, so I know that strange feeling -- the only ones who knew us our whole lives are gone.
The amazing Del completes another road trip, with photography!! I was so relieved to know that you were home safe and sound.
I am so glad you are home.
Although I love the pictures, it still scares me that you take them while driving.
I hope the windshield repair does not cost too much.
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