When all was said and done, my best laid plans were scrapped 3 hours into the journey due to snow closures in the high mountain passes leading to Yosemite from the Eastern Sierras. Flashing closed signs warned me before I got to Bishop.
A quick call to Caltrans or an internet check could have saved me from the world's longest route to Yosemite by way of Mohave. But I was in a hurry to split and the getaway car was packed and…So I sat and pondered my predicament. The landscape lent itself to deep thought and calculation.
But in the end my first day on the road was wild and precious.
I drove through mile after mile of desert. Skirting across the boundries of many national forests. Off I went down tiny roads where for hours I didn't pass another car. They wound their way deep into the heart of sequoia country, past blue lakes, and tiny streams, then deposited me at the base of a great valley of grapes.
In the middle of places I had never heard of. Beside cluster after beautiful cluster of PINK. Without a soul around.
And finally I found my way here.
To a thick stand of pine and fir outside my room. A steak dinner, a warm bed, a balcony where I could watch the moon, and dig into my pile of books.
Until my head began to nod.
Ok Miss Moss – I am nominating myself as your new BFF because we are soul sisters in the road tripping of life. Wow! What a great post. I felt my soul stir and the engine rumble just reading about your setting off down the road. Wish I’d been your co-pilot. Thanks for taking me along with this lovely post! xo fran
Wow. Great stories and great photos. Love those trees. They look like our pines here, but you already know that. I love the new photo of you that you put up, you are just so beautiful, glad you came out from behind your camera. 😀
you’re feckin’ brilliant. ((kiss-kiss))
So did you make it to my beloved Grass Valley? If so, hope it lived up to your expectations. And that you stopped in to Ames Books downtown. And ate an apple pancake. And walked the streets of Nevada City. And drove the windy road through the orchards to Colfax. And…
Love the pics!
very inspiring post…love love love the total feel and life your words and pictures bring…
lucky lucky lucky you and also…
THANK YOU – yes – in one piece –
making for a joyous time preparing the response…
enjoy
xox – eb.
Great photos, it sounds like your trip was great anyway. How wonderful to be out in the open with the beauty and no one else.
What a TREAT to see this. Oh, I want to be there! It’s been too long since we drove through those lovely landscapes and reminded ourselves of just how big California is. Such variety and beauty. The season is perfect for it. Thank you for sharing this. Look forward to your return.
Living vicariously….
Just saying…..
How I love a road trip!! And I have dreamed of spending serious time in Yosemite for far too long to not have done it by now. It’s less than 8 hours away from me…Good grief!! I rememeber listening to an audio book a few years ago (while driving across the salt flats, through the desert, up and over Tahoe, past the great Mt. Shasta….) of the first successful transcontinental auto trip in the US. A doctor and his mechanic friend — a dog in tow — months later they had made it. From San Fransisco to New York in, I think, 1918. It was reading his journal – the doctor’s – and to hear of his voyage across some of the same areas we had been driving pulled me out of time and space. The wheels whirring along the road could have been any wheels on any road but I THOUGHT we were there with him. He said something about America (at the time) being the only place one could do this because of it’s blossoming highway system.
What a delicious adventure you are on! I’d love to go on one of my own. 🙂
You do know how to take a road trip! I am enjoying your wanderings and especially your beautiful images. Travel safely.
Such a privilege to accompany you on your adventure.
As always, superb photographs. The square format is lovely.
Can’t wait to read ‘What Mary Ann Did Next’!
beautiful photos. so great that you have a job that offers you such freedom.
be well.
The freedom and fearlessness. So desirable.
It’s a good state — our California… snow closures and sun ripening grapes within it’s boundaries.
Did you make it to Yosemite? Where are you?
Green with envy as I had to spend the week telling everyone under 3′ tall that it wasn’t Halloween yet…
I believe that surprise changes of route and plan are some of the best gifts.
I love big red desert structures.
Does this post mean you brought your laptop with you? How wonderful wonderful wonderful your new experience!
That moon! perfect timing for a road adventure. I am reveling in your journey.
Once again, many thanks for sharing it