Hi everyone
Well today began our tour of the USA for real. We left Elk Grove at 6.30 a.m. – trying to
miss the Monday morning rush hour traffic and our GSP nicknamed Madam B..ch (because
she growls at us if we go the wrong way) did us good today at last and we go
through the few roads we needed to take get on the interstate 50. Luckily most of the traffic was heading in
the other direction and it wasn’t long before we left the dry brown flat
grasslands of Elk Grove/Sacramento and headed into the Sierra Nevada.
Some observations – before we hit the Sierra Nevada Mountains
there were what seemed liked pocket suburbs with absolutely nothing in between
except the barren grasslands. We passed
a tiny settlement called Placerville and unfortunately didn’t stop (too early t
browse) – shame because it appeared really olde worlde. Then we headed into the mountains and we climbed
and climbed and went down and up over and over LOL – The descent at times was
extremely steep. The landscape is all
towering pine trees and these huge boulders that appear to have just rolled
down the hillsides. Every now and again
there were tiny cabins to be seen in the woods, not sure why they were there,
but presume it was either hunting, fishing or perhaps skiing as there were
signs for ski resorts the further we got into the mountains.
The temperature is in the high 70s so a bit cooler than in
Elk Grove.
At times we were over 7000feet which is quite
spectacular.
Tahoe is quite a mishmash – as you drive in it’s quite
rustic, little cabins again.
We went for a walk and at the info centre found out that the
lake was formed about 2 million years ago from a river and is 1650 feet deep
and has enough water in it to flood the entire state of California at 14 inches
deep! (Kiwis, I think this lake is a tad
bigger than Lake Taupo!)
The state line runs right through the city so half is in
Nevada and half in California.
Our overall impression is a lovely little town; the car swap
meet is WAY BIGGER than we expected for us kiwis. Many vintage car owners actually trailer in
their cars rather than drive them here.
Okay off to mix and mingle and get some dinner - catch u here tomorrow.
Jane and Neil
Jane, I am going to travel with you every step of the way. I love reading about the sorts of things you have posted...the supermarkets, the weather, the food. Keep posting!
ReplyDeleteI have started a blog for our outback trip in a couple of weeks. I will share it with you when we leave!
Limited net today so not able to post much, having a great time, cooler weather in the mountains! Learned all about mountain wildflowers last night at a library talk
DeleteYay Annie... glad you're here. Am a tad sunburnt today - bad girl! i left my hat at the hotel, and now i know why the ladies were all wearing sleeves- it's a tad ouchy!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a town of opposites, rustic, nature walks and skiing and of course a beautiful lake, along side the plastic world of cassinos.
But it's fun. Not that i have even put a coin in a slot machine
Catch u back here tomorrow
Jane
Jane,
ReplyDeleteI'm with you every step of the way....keep telling me all the writerly things that catch your eye. You are making my feet itchy!
Hi Jane,
ReplyDeleteThis is Shirley. I live in New Jersey on the East Coast of America. I read your journal and will continue to read it. It's great to see things through fresh eyes. How far are you going across the US?
There's a book by an American called I'M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF. It was written by a man who spent 20 years abroad and then returned to the US. It gives is impression of the country as a stranger. Probably the same as you will be doing.
I hope you enjoy the drive and the country. Are you heading eventually for RWA in Atlanta? I will be there and I'm driving from New Jersey.
Hello Shirley from NJ. We're having a lovely time,learning all sorts of things, lots of posts coming tomorrow when i get more net access.
DeleteJane