I left Reno in a rush because a snowstorm which was supposed to hit the High Sierras got moved up about 5 hours during the night, and I had to get over to highest point in Donner’s Pass before the snow started. Wind gusts well over hurricane level were also predicted.
I got off about 9am, without having time to feel out various systems on the car, like the locks, defrosting system, etc. The glove compartment also decided not to latch, which looked rather tacky.
There was bright sunlight as I left, but the wind and rain came as I approached the foothills. The wind gusts were rather intimidating, and dozens of tumbleweeds bounded over the barriers and across the freeway. On my right was a spectacular rainbow, and on my left the snow-covered mountains rose impressively. Very quickly, the rain started to come down in buckets. The trucks were struggling up the hill, and whenever I got brave enough to pass one, it threw up sheets of muddy water. The slow lane desperately needed maintenance, and there were a lot of holes in the pavement. Also, the lines between the lanes were hard to see.
I was very glad to reach the top of the pass, and life became much easier on the downhill side. The rain continued, and I took a break after Sacramento to see if the weather might improve. Not likely! There were flood and wind warnings, and flooding even in downtown San Francisco.
l continued until I had passed Oakland, planning on crossing the San Francisco Bay further South he Oakland-Bay Bridge. The last couple of hours was bumper to bumper traffic, and I finally found a shopping center with an all-night Fitness center. I decided that was a pretty safe place to camp.
I had headlights, but they didn’t look bright enough to me. I had a pretty good night, but kind of long, since I was too tired to go shopping, though Walmart was open until midnight. The rain pattering on the car roof made a really cozy sound. Nobody challenged my right to park there.
The next morning, I went over the bridge to San Mateo. This bridge was REALLY long. It was still raining, but not with the same enthusiasm. The sun came out at noon in San Bruno. I spent the day reorganizing my van and charting the paths between Walmart, McDonalds and Denny’s, all of which have free wifi. I found the Bay Area Rapid Transit station by the mall, checked out the parking area, and put money on my senior-discount card. I also adjusted the brakes on my folding bike, and put on a speedometer, head and tail-lights and a mirror. I think I am ready for the sunny day that Saturday should be.
I will hang around McDonalds unless someone runs me out. Their drive-thru window is open all night. I I will be a little late sending this blog. My cigarette light had no power, even after I changed the fuse, but there is one in the back of the van that works, so I will eventually get my two smartphones, tablet, laptop and about 11 camera batteries charged up. This can only be done while I am driving. I guess I had better get back out to the car. I can only get a limited amount of goodwill out of a Big-Mac and a coffee.
email still doesn’t work on the laptop.