We left Boise on a hot Morning. It was the 25th of Aug., headed thru the desert. We didn't even make it past the Owyhee mountains and the truck was getting hot. One pullout to let her cool and we were back at it. The rest of the drive down thru OR., and NV. was fairly uneventful. Just HOT. We rolled our way south hitting a few stops along the way, one stands out for utter filth. There is a rest stop out in the middle of nowhere in NV., I think that it is near the Fallon exit. No running water in the bathrooms, open pit toilets that would make a skunk gag. There was something like 15 individual bathrooms and they were all nasty. Thankfully we were in and out in a hurry. We were heading to Reno for the night. Again, we just can't seem to get the concept of making a reservation or at the least researching the location we would stay. Well a sweet tour of the side streets of Reno with the trailer and I was ready to BLOW. I had to pull over into a parking lot of a small appliance store and grab the iPhone and find a KOA. Found one in Boomtown that was closed but we could use the night box. Thank heavens.
The plan for Friday was to be up super early to tackle the pass named Donner. This is the one I have been dreading for weeks. Just not comfortable with the combination of small motor, big load and one hell of a pass. We headed out at about 0600 with a temperature of 50 degrees. Prefect for the climb over the Sierras. Not one time did the truck give us any trouble. I nursed the brakes on the downhill and we were rolling thru California. (HE is watching out for us.) One big loooong drive south and we were in Bakersfield. Our home base for the next bit.
We have spent the last week up in the Lake Isabella/Wofford Heights area. If any of you have driven the Kern Canyon road you know what a "fun" drive that can be. We have done that drive 3 days now. Countless near misses. It is insane!!! NO shoulder to take shelter on, river or cliff. Those are your two choices. Well there is a third choice....that would be a head on crash with both cars doing about 40mph each. Ugly. The canyon is super steep, dry grass and oak trees everywhere. It really is a contrast to home. Like Riggins with more vertical feet and taller grass, minus the beautiful fir and pine. It does have a few huge palm trees growing in the river bottom, and the white water is something to behold. Almost constant. We are enjoying our time with Shilo, Brennan, and the rest of the family. They have made us feel right at home.
