Merced, CA
We covered a lot of territory today and many types of topography. Started out early on Friday morning and headed south to Carson City for a gas-up at Costco. Since the ACC (American Celebrity Championship) golf tournament was going on up at Lake Tahoe, we decided to avoid the crowds and not go through Lake Tahoe. South on 395 to Minden for breakfast and then across the Sierra on 88, 89 and 4. We hadn't been on 4 across Ebbets Pass for a long time and thought it might be a fun, scenic way to go. What we hadn't remembered was how narrow and twisting Route 4 was.
There were more twists and turns than we have been on since we were on old Route 66 south of Kingman, AZ. At times I swear we could see our own taillights. The road was so narrow that they didn't even put a center line on it, just fog lines on either side. Had one close call when an SUV coming the other way decided it wanted to take the middle of the road on a curve. Vi was quick to react and we avoided an accident.
Ebbets pass is around 8700' and there are plenty of beautiful views to be seen. Unfortunately, there are very few turn-outs where you can stop and take a picture. It starts out following the East Fork of the Carson River and very quickly climbs over the Sierra. Snow around the top of the pass, but even so there were many people camped at the campgrounds. The forest is full of huge trees - would have made good masts for the old sailing ships. Over the top we dropped down into Angels Camp and the site of the Calaveras Jumping Frog contest - you have to read Mark Twain to appreciate the contest.
Vi doesn't like interstates, but I'm not sure she was a fan of the back country roads I chose coming into the foothills on the west side of the Sierra. Beyond the foothills, you come down into San Joaquin Valley which has a lot of farmland, orchards, vineyards, etc.
I had made a tee time at Rancho del Rey in Atwater, CA for 12:30 p.m. At noon, we were still in the Sierra, so I called to make sure there was no problem in delaying the tee time. Since the temperature was close to 100, they said there was no problem. We could play when we got there. What's that they say about "mad dogs and Englishmen going out in the noonday sun". I think we can add golfers to that as well. Rancho del Rey was a flat course with some trees, but no hills - just flat land and some pretty flowering trees. We had a good time - felt good to get out of the car; however, we got stuck behind a foursome (with three sets of clubs) who had no intention of letting us play through. As a result, we stopped after nine holes and headed for Merced where we had reservations at Best Western.
Checked in, took a shower (that really felt good after playing in the heat of the day) and then went out in search of some place to eat. Because of the missed tee time, we hadn't stopped to eat lunch. Appleby's looked pretty good. Gassed up at Costco in Merced and then back to the Best Western. Think it will be an early night to bed!
There were more twists and turns than we have been on since we were on old Route 66 south of Kingman, AZ. At times I swear we could see our own taillights. The road was so narrow that they didn't even put a center line on it, just fog lines on either side. Had one close call when an SUV coming the other way decided it wanted to take the middle of the road on a curve. Vi was quick to react and we avoided an accident.
Ebbets pass is around 8700' and there are plenty of beautiful views to be seen. Unfortunately, there are very few turn-outs where you can stop and take a picture. It starts out following the East Fork of the Carson River and very quickly climbs over the Sierra. Snow around the top of the pass, but even so there were many people camped at the campgrounds. The forest is full of huge trees - would have made good masts for the old sailing ships. Over the top we dropped down into Angels Camp and the site of the Calaveras Jumping Frog contest - you have to read Mark Twain to appreciate the contest.
Vi doesn't like interstates, but I'm not sure she was a fan of the back country roads I chose coming into the foothills on the west side of the Sierra. Beyond the foothills, you come down into San Joaquin Valley which has a lot of farmland, orchards, vineyards, etc.
I had made a tee time at Rancho del Rey in Atwater, CA for 12:30 p.m. At noon, we were still in the Sierra, so I called to make sure there was no problem in delaying the tee time. Since the temperature was close to 100, they said there was no problem. We could play when we got there. What's that they say about "mad dogs and Englishmen going out in the noonday sun". I think we can add golfers to that as well. Rancho del Rey was a flat course with some trees, but no hills - just flat land and some pretty flowering trees. We had a good time - felt good to get out of the car; however, we got stuck behind a foursome (with three sets of clubs) who had no intention of letting us play through. As a result, we stopped after nine holes and headed for Merced where we had reservations at Best Western.
Checked in, took a shower (that really felt good after playing in the heat of the day) and then went out in search of some place to eat. Because of the missed tee time, we hadn't stopped to eat lunch. Appleby's looked pretty good. Gassed up at Costco in Merced and then back to the Best Western. Think it will be an early night to bed!
Comments
Post a Comment