Friday April 4, 2003.
Winter made a comeback in Mt. Shasta with an unexpectedly high overnight
snow fall. The whole town took on a distinctive "white Christmas" look and feel.
The drive south from Mt. Shasta on Interstate 5 is beautifully scenic
all the way to the Shasta Dam exit. Downhill all the way, the road soon descends below the snow line, and the vegetation
changes from alpine to rural.
I stopped for lunch at Redding, and watched out the cafe window
as hail bounced off the ground in a brief storm.
South of the Shasta Dam exit, the scenery from Interstate 5 becomes
less photogenic, so I turned off the freeway and onto California Highway 99 towards Sacramento. I could slow down, open
the sunroof, and enjoy the more casual motoring through the orchards and groves.
A few miles out of Sacramento the highway levels out at sea level,
and stays there. The hills and mountains are far away for a while now. Heavy rain falls between Sacramento and
my turnoff to Oakdale.
I arrive at Oakdale right on sunset, and check into the brand new
Holiday Inn Express.
Distance travelled today: 317 miles
Total driving distance for trip: 985 miles
Total driving time in motion today: 6 hours 19 minutes
Average speed while in motion today: 50 mph
