The Trek North – Almost Home
Great to see clear skies this morning. Had just pulled onto the road heading north to Dunsmuir when Mount Shasta filled the view ahead. Clear and smothered in snow. OMG . . . and not a place to stop. Quick, where’s my camera? Dunsmuir is a quaint old town. Great old movie theatre. Fire crew was out polishing the fire trucks. Unusual stone church, and the burger joint was just starting production – collection of signs from all over covering it’s walls.
Drove through the town of Weed . . . and who wouldn’t want a t-shirt! (apologies for this and other photos taken while driving).
Climbing (yet again), and within minutes of leaving the evergreen forests around Dunsmuir we are into high desert again . . . brown hills devoid of much except sage brush, a few trees and tufts of grass. Small herds of black angus don’t seem to mind.
Just south of Yreka (a local source says it’s pronounced Why-reeka) . . . a large metal cow and calf . . . standing in a field. Neat. Then a similar distance north of town a huge dragon . . . also in tones of rusted metal. This had to be checked out. Google search found the source – an artist in Yreka. https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/16421
Would we reach Cresswell Bakery just south of Eugene, Oregon before closing time? It would be close . . . really wanted some of those delicious chicken pies we’d had on the trip down. Twenty minutes to six we screeched into the parking lot . . . would there be any left so late in the day? No cooked Chicken pies . . . but lots of Beef ones. We’ll take three. And in a cooler to one side I espied packages of ready-to-cook pies, for taking home . . . . yes!!
Munching on flaky, beef and vegetable-filled pastries, we set about finding a place along the way for the dreaded Covid test tomorrow . . . and settled on Portland.
Up early . . . appointments booked for 1pm . . . . address plugged into Google maps. Thought we might grab some quick pancakes at iHop in Salem . . . should just be enough time and still make it to Portland on time. Would you believe it . . . there was a looong line up . . . at 10:30 on a Thursday morning. Don’t these people know we’re in a hurry?! No time to wait, so off we set once more.
Portland reached, but this area of town was less touristy, and didn’t seem to accommodate RVs. However around the back of the Fred Meyer store was just enough room. Didn’t get our pancakes, but the Panda Express on the corner was loading up their smorgasboard with steaming, freshly made Chinese food – looked appetizing and was surprisingly tasty too.
Presented ourselves at the appointed time and place for testing – and how cool is this . . . it’s an old Subway restaurant . . . with counter and bread oven still in place. Two tests, and two 6 inch subs to go!! Had barely got back on the road when the emails came through with results . . . both negative. Drove over the bridge and into Washington feeling greatly relieved.
Seattle at rush hour — not fun . . . but the couple who provided a camping space for the night more than made up for it. Long time Boondockers and adventurers, they welcomed us in, and insisted we join them for dinner. What a lovely way to spend our last night before crossing the border the tomorrow.
