Patrick's Roadtrips

Monday, Nov 7

Took a final day off and stayed at the “mountain house” in Murphys for two nights, easing back into real life.

One of the treats of being in the Sierra foothills is the colorful sunsets.

Sunday, Nov 6

Yet another contrast: ‘Vegas, NV to Murphys, CA. Big city to Big Trees. But it took a full day and a dicey finish over Ebbetts Pass to get there.

Shunning the boring southern I-15 route that connects to boring I-5, we took rural roads up the back side of the Sierra’s. This went through dramatic high desert between craggy mountains. Eventually, we knew, we would have to get across those craggy mountains.

Surprisingly, in the middle of nowhere (Beatty, NV), we stumbled across a whole row of new Tesla charging stations out behind a Chevron MniMart.

Patrick practices for when he gets a Model 3

Yosemite’s famous Tioga Pass was already closed for the season due to early October snow. But signs said Hwy 89 was “open” and that does connect to Hwy 4 for a direct shot down into Murphys. Curiously there was no mention of Ebbetts Pass on Hwy 4…

Just past Mono Lake, we started up Hwy 89 into the (ominous) snow covered Sierra’s in the late afternoon…

View of the east side of the Sierras from Hwy395

And Hwy 89 was just fine. However, when we got to the intersection with Hwy 4, there was a small “road closed ahead” sign. But the “road closed” gate was open. A mixed message at best.

We always wanted to see what was up at the end of Hwy 4. And not wanting to go all the way back around through Tahoe, we went for it. The road gets down to one lane as it winds through the pass area, but that lane was thankfully free of snow. We cleared the pass just as the sun (and gas gage) were starting to get low. Whew.

Headlights starting to show as we pass the summit with snow on the sides

After a quick stop for provisions (and gas!), we made it safe and sound to the mountain house. Almost home.

Saturday, Nov 5

As the perfect contrast to quaint and comfortable Flagstaff, my next stop was wild and wooly ‘Vegas. This was an easy drive down out of the mountains, across the high desert, and into the congested sprawl of the big city.

Started out the day getting my Fix on Route 66. ?  That would be, getting my morning Starbucks coffee and scone.

The engineering treat of the day was the new bridge over Hover Dam just as you enter Nevada. I have a whole book on this one, so was going to drive over it for sure. As a bonus, there was a pedestrian walk the full length with awesome views of the dam.

Then on into Las Vegas to pick up Peter at the airport. We splurged on a room at the Stratosphere Hotel (another engineering treat …for me anyway). Celebrated our anniversary with dinner at the revolving restaurant at the top. One revolution per dinner – fast enough.

Friday, Nov 4

Ok, not really an airline flight, but the road trip today on one particular rain-soaked road did seem a bit like flying. (And, well, I needed an “F” word that was printable.)

Today’s topic is weather. Cloudy, rainy, thunder stormy, cold(ish), foggy, even sunny weather. Not to mention high desert, mountain passes, wooded forests, and grassy plains. All in a day’s drive. Scenery changes alone kept it interesting.

Crossed the continental divide, another time zone, and a state border, all before noon. The Mountain time zone, surprisingly, is a mere one state (New Mexico) wide here.

Ended the day in Flagstaff with a run in the local jogging park up in the hills.

Thursday, Nov 3

Back at it, on the road again with a full 8 hr day — mostly just to Exit Texas.

Driving through large fields of cotton, peppered with oil well rigs pumping away, or giant windmills half hidden in low clouds. Sometimes both. Oh, and a bit of rain at times.

Avoided the major interstates for this leg, but these 2-lane country highways — with the occasional extra-wide (and extra slow) tractor on the road — are posted at 75 mph! However the small towns you pass through are posted much slower… and they really mean it. But that’s another story.

Anyway, arrived in Roswell, NM on time (thanks, time zone shift) and just fine. Went looking for the infamous aliens. And found them everywhere.

Evidently, the local tourist bureau doesn’t mind the unusual reputation.

Tuesday & Wednesday, Nov 1 & 2

Spent a couple non-driving days exploring and enjoying the last summery days of central Texas. Kinda like an extended summer vacation. Nice!

Hanging around the house by the pool.

Then off to nearby Lake Travis for an afternoon of pontoon boating, swimming, and a dockside lunch.

And for dinner, meeting up with old friends from Portland, OR, Harvey-John and Joanna, who now live near Austin. Timing was good on this one, as they are about to move to Palm Springs.

Dinner conversation ranged from college days (Portland U), to running times (Hood to Coast), to retirement plans.  Pretty much covers it.

For a grand finale, in between World Series innings, 12-year old William treated us to a mini concert including an original song of his own.

Monday, Oct 31 (Halloween)

Armed with a competent co-pilot (Kelan), we did the two-day drive from southern Missouri, through Arkansas, around Dallas, all the way down to Austin in one long (13 hr) day.  Whew.

Staying at the Cranney-Fee “Spa-Resort” in Spicewood, near Lake Travis, north of Austin.

Tuesday – Sunday, Oct 25-30

Enjoying another week off (no driving) at Red Dot Farm with family.  Unusually warm weather makes it very comfortable.

Keeping busy with fun (LED) lighting projects around the house.

Kelan arrived Friday to prep for the co-pilot position on the next leg.

Monday, Oct 24

After a third day of driving lots of miles I arrived at Brixey, MO (a town of 24 with its own zip code!)

for a week at sister Sue Ellen’s.

The leaves here are already on the ground (they skipped the colorful phase this year), but the weather was beautifully “top down” on the way in.

Sunday, Oct 23

The road from Raleigh to Nashville winds through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.  Should be a song here.  But live with a photo.

Then on to Nashville where I did a quick walking tour of the downtown musical scene.