If i were a little less exhausted, I might come up with a better recap of the trip to Salem. However, given my current state of mind (e.g. tired) this abbreviated recap and observation will have to do.
I am sure I got a automated traffic camera ticket on my way out of Phoenix. I literally got one a week living in Phoenix, it is ridiculous. I just remember being blinded by a flash in the wee hours of the morning as I left town – sure it wasn’t God trying to tell me something.
The drive to Palm Desert/Palm Springs wasn’t nearly as boring as it had been in past trips. I think this is mostly because it was done entirely in the dark. But, sunrise over the Coachella Valley sure was nice.
Rain from the mega storm hovering over California first hit me past Palm Desert, near the wind farms. That was pretty much the last time I saw blue skies until I reached Oregon.
LA wasn’t nearly as impressive (from a skyline perspective) as I thought it would be. In fact, the downtown area was downright puny. Stopped in Burbank to visit with my friend Gary.
Rolled into Westley, California sometime around 6pm on Friday. It was dark, I was tired and hungry, and had a cat who had peed on herself in her crate so it was time to call it a day. After washing her blanket I turned in.
Alarm was set for 5am, but i woke up instead to my cat bitchin at me. We got on the road and started the long drive to Redding, which I never thought i’d get to.
Somewhere around Willows I get framed for a ticket (yeah, I said it) by California Highway Patrol. I must be the only person in this WORLD who has gotten a speeding ticket from “behind” a cop. I followed this guy 5-10 car lengths for at least 30 miles. He slowed down and switched lanes after coming up on a semi, waited for me to go ahead, then immediately pulled me over. It was the most ridiculous thing I have ever witnessed.
Finally made it to Redding and got my snow chains. The weather looked bad there (very gloomy, rainy, icy). Fortunately, I didn’t need the chains and the mountain drive through Mount Shasta National Park took a few hours. Once I made it out I was in Oregon.
Beautiful drive through Southern Oregon made me realize how blessed I was to get this job and have this opportunity to move here. Arrived in Salem around 4pm in the afternoon on Saturday and got about half of my stuff moved in.
Now, time to get some sleep!
