We didn’t get back to the house until after 11PM last night from our family Christmas party. I got into bed around 11:20 or so and didn’t sleep very well. Brian came into the room I was in at 4:20AM so we could hit the road. We were dressed, final checks done on the cars, and on the road by 4:40AM. I can not tell you the last time I was up that early…it was insane! The first hour was OK, until I realized I had to go to the bathroom. Uh oh. L I knew Brian didn’t want to stop until we got to Weed but that was a LONG way away. Like HOURS and HOURS away. But, I finally just had to tell him we had to stop. So, we did then quickly got back on the road.

A short time later the fatigue hit me. I was TIRED. I could barely keep my eyes open, it was the most horrible feeling I’ve ever had. I’ll admit, I was actually scared at how tired I was. But, I stuck my head out the window and started my book on tape. By the time the sun came up I was doing OK. It’s tough heading out for a 12 hour drive BEFORE the sun comes up and with less than five hours of sleep.

After the sun had come up we got to an area that we were able to see Mt. Shasta. It was my first (but definitely not last) snow sighting of the day. It was VERY exciting! So, we proceeded along the highway headed north. We reached the Shasta mountain pass, I’m sure there is another official name but that’s what I’m calling it. The drive through the pass was really nice. I swore when I left for this drive that it would be my one and only time DRIVING from Idaho to California. But, driving through the pass made me think that maybe I would rethink that. It is definitely a place I would like to visit and actually LOOK at. So, we kept heading north along I-5 until we got to Weed. Yes, there is a city in California named Weed. We stopped for gas in Weed and stretched our legs a short bit. We also got a muffin to eat. That muffin was important…it was our only food for a long, long time. From Weed we hit I-97 still heading north (there’s a pattern here…the heading north part, so just assume I’m heading north).

Shortly after leaving Weed we passed into Oregon. Now, when we were in Weed there was a small patch of snow on the ground…yes, it was my first photograph of snow, but it was so neat to be that close to it. But, once we passed into Oregon, OMG there was SNOW! The roads were all very clear and dry (just what I’d prayed for J) but on each side of the highway as far as the eye could see was snow. Flat, white, smooth snow. It was GORGEOUS. There were even these trees that were silver. I’ve seen pictures of silver trees before but never with my own eyes. These were leafless trees that sparkled in the sun. I just wanted to pull over and stare at the silver trees but, there was a long way to go still. So, we continued north.

Around 2 we decided it was time to stop for a bite to eat. Remember, we’d been up since 4AM and had only a muffin to eat since then. So, the first place we came to was a McDonalds. Joy of joys, we ate at McD’s. Pulling into the parking lot wasn’t so bad; remember I’m driving the Expedition pulling my Passat, until the Expedition slipped a little on the ice. It wasn’t a huge slip and anyone who’s driven in ice/snow regularly would probably laugh if I told them it scared me, but it did. But, I remembered to pump the brakes and the little slip ended up being a blessing in disguise because it made me realize how aware I needed to be.

After our yummy lunch we headed back on our favorite road going, you guessed it, north. About this time I realized, I’ll definitely make the drive again. There are some really beautiful sights that I’d love to be able to look at. But, I can assure you that the next time I make the drive it won’t be in the winter (even though that is pretty) and it won’t be with me pulling anything. If I have my way, I’ll be sitting in the passenger seat of whatever vehicle is making the drive.

Around 5PM we pulled into Biggs Junction, OR. It’s a small town along some river on the Washington/Oregon border. We pulled into a truck stop to gas up before heading across the street to sleep for the night. After my vehicle was gassed I told Brian I’d pull across and park and wait for him. That’s when we found out that my trailer didn’t have any lights. We’d checked them that morning and I’d been following Brian all day so it wasn’t until we’d traveled for 12 hours that we realized I had no lights AT ALL on the trailer. Great.

After we parked and checked into the motel we ran across the street for a bite to eat then hit the sack. Seriously. I was asleep by 7PM. LOL I was tired!

So, it was a really exciting day.

Hours of driving: 12
Miles traveled: 650

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