January Trip To California

Everyone in the Midwest appreciates a break from old man Winter, agreed? So, when my Mom decided that she was relocating to Sacramento (and I had time off, due to the flagging economy anyway), the choice was simple. I would offer to drive her and her belongings myself...and then enjoy a small vacation while I was at it.

The weather was nearly perfect, with the exception of that potent arctic blast that reached from Canada into Old Mexico! On our second day out, we experienced sustained winds of 45mph for more than three hours between Oklahoma City and Amarillo, TX. We ended our day just shy of the Texas border, in a little town called Erick, OK. I can't tell you how nice it was to get into a hot shower and loosen my tired muscles.....LOL.

We got on the road, bright and early the third day, aiming for the California border, but we made it as far as Flagstaff, AZ before I had had my fill of the road. Even being a truck driver by trade, it was a long day and the remnants of the previous days' winds were crossing our path regularly. It was far from the 45mph stuff, but it was still gusty and things never really did warm up, until we crossed into California on the 4th day. Which leads me to a funny story.

Picture this: It's 7:30am (Eastern Time) and we are in Flagstaff, starting our day. Knowing that we would soon be in California, I opted to wear my trademark shorts and Michigan pullover. It's a balmy 19 degrees outside! Mom thought I was ready for the looney bin, but I was firm in my conviction to start off the day like this, so she just rolled her eyes and tolerated me....for one more LONG day on the road.

We stopped for breakfast in Kingman, AZ and finally got into Needles, CA about 10:30am. WOW! 73 degrees and Sunny! Whata great day....and well worth the frosty start I had a few hours earlier.

Well, the day WAS long and we finally rolled into Sacramento about 10:30pm (EST), just in time to pick up my Sister-In-Law from work! We did all the necessary stuff, like undecking Mom's car from the tow dolly and getting only the necessities off the truck, prior to retiring to my Sister and Brother-In-Law's home for the night.

Now, Mom promised my that my work was done and the remainder of my time in California would be spent RELAXING....she fibbed. I ended up as part of the unloading crew at her new digs in Sacto, but between my Nephew, Jeffery and I, we got it done in just over an hour. Now I can relax, cus Mom is settling in and has all the time in the world to do so. This is Thursday.

On Saturday, My Brother-In-Law, Chris took me for a day at San Francisco. Now, call me strange, but I just love heading to Pier 39, getting some Clam Chowder in a bread bowl from Fisherman's Grotto and eating it, as I look out over San Francisco Bay, near the Submarine. There is something special about the salt air, Alcatraz and Angel Island in the distance and the sights n sounds of the city. I could go there solely for this treat and I do that every chance I get. But no trip to San Francisco is complete without crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, to catch sunset at Battery Spencer. See my photos here and you will see just what I am talking about!