Once again, here we are, traveling through the mountains of northern California in the wintertime, wind whipping the trees, slush splattering across the windshield of our truck, spray billowing up from the tires of the vehicles on the freeway. Even though we are near Mt. Shasta, it is totally obscured by the clouds and swirling snow. Alongside the freeway, only the base of the cinder cone we are passing is visible through the mist. Above that, it, too, has disappeared into the clouds.

 

Rivers and streams are filled nearly to the rims of their banks with rushing, swirling brown water. As we reach the lower elevations, the snow and slush on our windshield are replaced by rain, but the wind and misty spray remain the same.

 

In spite of the storm, the traffic through the mountains is moderately heavy. A significant proportion of the vehicles – cars, truck, vans, motor homes – are sporting U of O Ducks flags… This would seem out of place in California, if it were not for the fact that in two days the Ducks will be playing football in a bowl game in San Diego. Clearly, many fans consider it a worthwhile way to spend the remaining days of their Christmas holiday driving south for two days so that they can spend one day in Sam Diego, then drive north for another two days. Perhaps some will take it a bit slower on the way back, and take the time to see the sights, weather permitting (though since they are, after all, Ducks, what does it matter if it’s raining?!) And of course, many no doubt left earlier this week for a more leisurely trip south. Others, transplanted Californians in particular, may have flown or driven south last week to spend Christmas with their families.

 

The freeway south of Weed is incredibly rough… It makes it difficult to hit the intended keys!