An Inauspicious Beginning

I made it only to Oakridge, OR, about 150 miles from home. My destination was Alturas, about 400 miles. But in addition to being soaked in the rain, it started snowing at about 2000' going up Willamette Pass. I pulled over in a chain-up area to assess the snowy situation. Almost immediately a state trooper pulled up to ask if I knew there was hard packed snow on the road surface at the summit. I told him I was turning back. I returned to Oakridge and tried to figure out what to do. One option was to go home and start again tomorrow when the weather is better. But I was soaked and chilled already. So I got a room where I'm trying to warm up and dry my wet gear. Tomorrow it's supposed to be in the high 40s on the Pass. But the low is going to be 22, so the snow and ice probably won't melt until the afternoon. I'll probably end up getting back on I5 (ugh) and trying to make Chico. I should be able to make it to Weed, NM to meet up with George on Friday. But I won't have the time I anticipated in Torrey.

It'll all work out. Last year I had to change my route because the tsunami hit Crescent City. It happens.

First thing in the morning I'm calling Gerbing to find out why my glove liners don't work.

For now, a bit more Cabernet and perhaps some TV.