Rising today around 6am, the campground was quiet. I was excited to get the day started and quickly prepped a hearty breakfast scramble from Peak Refuel and a cup of Lairds Instafuel. Packing up, I said goodbye to the campsite and headed deeper into Dinosaur National Monument. I would stop to see petroglyphs, rock formations, and a homestead once occupied by a strong woman named Josie. I walked around and through her home and was very impressed that any single person had built and maintained a home so far away from anything. Taking a quick hike into one of the slot canyons that Josie used as a corral I ran into the only other people on the trail; they happened to be from North Carolina. What a coincidence.
Having planned to make a stop in Heber City, Utah and catch up with George Bell Jr. from Fieldcraft Survival, I hit the road. Coming into town, you could tell the wildfires were affecting the area. This was the first time I saw dense smoke from a western fire. We met at Lola’s with his wife Sarah and a couple guys from the shop before heading to HQ. Part of fieldcraft is mobility, which includes vehicles. George wanted to do a quick walk around video with Pearl. Surprised and humbled by the opportunity, I was excited to take part in showing her off a bit. Before setting off to stay with some friends, I picked up the last three books Jack Carr has released in the James Reece series.
I met Holly and Jason Patty in college. They had recently moved home just before the pandemic from Nepal, where they lived for 7 years or so, working and raising their young children. We spent a good amount of the evening just catching up. For dinner we had Dal Bhat, a dish they became very accustomed to while living in Nepal. It was amazing! Having not seen them in what felt like a decade or more, it was great to catch up and see friends from home. I was and always will be grateful for their hospitality; and that of all those that have sheltered me for any amount of time while on the road.
Having yet another chance to sleep in was great. We had coffee and breakfast, picking up where we left off on our trip down memory lane. Later I helped Jason add a bit of fence to the chicken coop to help keep the dogs out. Finishing around lunch, Jason needed to return a rental car, so I followed him in Pearl to Hertz. On the way home, I got the grand tour of Ogden, and we stopped to pick up some delicious ice cream for dessert. Needing to get on the road, we said so long to the day we will meet again; not letting so much time pass by.
Beginning the long journey back to California, I headed for I-80 and the Salt Flats. This time, I took the chance to drive out on the flats and check off another travel list item. Making our way for Elko, Nevada, Pearl was really running good. We were making great time keeping up with traffic, not missing a beat running up any grade we faced. It was a great change from the first half of the trip where we struggled to climb anything. Checking into the Thunderbird Motel, I made plans to order a pizza and took advantage of some down time to relax. Off to bed early since we have a long way to drive tomorrow.
Waking today around 630am, we were on the road by 700am, fueled up and off for Virginia City. Having so far to drive today, I had planned to stop a few times to break up the day. First stop was in Winnemucca for breakfast. McDonalds was the first bit of fast food I have had since Tennessee, when I last had McDonalds. Second stop of the day was to refuel before getting to Lovelock. Detouring off I-80 in Fernley, we trekked down a primary highway, still making great time. Making it to Virginia City, it was very busy through town. Just one main road with no stoplights. I found a spot to park, and made my way to what seemed the only tavern serving food. Posting up at the bar at the Red Dog Saloon, I enjoyed a few beers, including a red beer and a pizza named for the famous silver mine in town, Comstock.
Getting back on the road, we made our way through the capital city of Nevada, Carson City, and down the east coast of Lake Tahoe into California and Meeks Bay, where we would stop for the night. Finding our site, I pitched camp as usual and headed to the lake. There wasn’t much cell reception which is great, but I know there are those that like me to check in every now and then. Also without reception, it is hard to post anything in real time. While it was spotty, I was able to get in touch with Dad and Liz while they were at the big lake (Lake Norman), where I had originally planned to be for a few days, but decided to head back for Car Week in Monterey. It was nice to catch up, but I said I would call back when I had better reception later in the week. With much daylight left, I had a quick snack before dinner, reading “True Believer” by Jack Carr. The second book in the James Reece series, I am really enjoying his writing. With darkness settling into the campground, I headed for the tent and continued to read before getting a good nights sleep.
Waking up as normal around 6am, I was certainly alone, in the regard that no one else was stirring in camp. I did my best to not wake anyone while opening up and closing truck doors. I made coffee and a Heather’s Choice breakfast while reading a bit more of “True Believer,” then headed down to the lake before packing up. It was a different experience with only a few other people on the shore; calm and serene as nature was still waking up. I texted Jordan Kopf (cousin and great niece of Uncle David), before leaving the lakeside as mom had mentioned she was at home in Sonora on leave. Jordan came to North Carolina for school, so it was nice to catch up. I would stay with her and her parents, Betsy and Ron; having been over 20 years since I had seen them, it was like meeting for the first time.
Heading south from Lake Tahoe, I had planned to climb Ebbett’s Pass, but went right instead of left on 88. We ended up climbing Luther and Kit Carson Pass and enjoyed our drive up and back down through the hills. We drove straight in to Sonora, stopping for lunch at Sonora Brewing Company. Heading for the Kopf’s, I picked up a thank you gift for both Ron and Betsy. We caught up for a couple hours before dinner; and continued our conversation over Salmon with grilled Romaine, rice, and fresh sourdough bread. Visiting a bit more before bed, we all called it an early night.
Sleeping in bit, I woke in time to say goodbye to Jordan before she went off to walk with a friend. I finished my coffee with Ron and Betsy before getting packed up and saying goodbye to them. On the way out of town, I grabbed a bagel from the Bagel Bin and another cup of coffee from Revive. Jordan is friends with the owners of the coffee shop so I wanted to support them while in town. I drove up to Columbia State Park, but just breezed through on a driving tour.
Heading back to Pacific Grove, I took the scenic route. First through Chinese Camp on the way to Yosemite. I did. not detour and go to the Park, but continued south weaving along the road descending down through a canyon and back up ascending to the peak. This was very unexpected, but it was a great drive. Getting back on a straight road, I turned for Merced and Los Banos. There is not much along the way here except for farming operations. Reaching Hollister, California, I was ready to get on the 101, but was caught at a standstill for what I assumed was an accident. Able to take yet another detour, I headed for Watsonville and the 1. I didn’t have anywhere to be specifically, but I wanted to make it to town for the car show. Getting to PG, I was lucky to find a spot to park right downtown, a street from the blockade. A quick walk through, I headed for the house to stay with my uncles, John and David. After settling in, we had Chicken Verona, rice, and broccoli for dinner, while watching “The Vault.” It was good and suspenseful.
Starting today with a walk to the #9 marker along Ocean View Blvd with coffee in hand, it is nice to get out and actually exercise. Having planned on getting a haircut, I walked downtown at noon, grabbing lunch at The Monarch with Uncle John. The car show today was for “Little Cars.” Each one had to be older than 25 years and have an engine no larger than 1500cc. After seeing all the cars and getting my haircut and beard trimmed, I walked back to. the house along the ocean. Taking the chance, I read more of “True Believer” before dinner. We had chicken, rice and asparagus for dinner while finishing the 1995 suspense thriller, “The Net,” starring Sandra Bullock.
Today, I woke up and coffee alone. Uncle John and David had already left to fly back to North Carolina for time visiting family. My biggest plans today would be to finish “True Believer” and to watch the Field of Dreams game, between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox. Waiting over a year for this game due to the pandemic, I along with probably every baseball fan in America was sitting on the edge of their seat.
The day before I had been invited to a block party down the street and only made it through about 5 innings. It is always nice to meet new people, and even one of the guests boyfriend was an NC State grad and fan. Never had I imagined to meet another NC State fan in California, but he was not present this week at the party. I was also introduced to a neighbors daughter, Sarah. She had recently moved back from the east coast, being stationed in Maryland as a Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy. We talked about westward road trips and the stops we made along the way and where I might be going from here. We continued our conversation over a beer at Alvarado Street Brewing Company; enjoying each others company, I think we’ll try and hang out over car week and see some beautiful classic cars.
Week 12 Mileage – 1311
Month 3 Mileage – 2455.4 (Total – 9953)