Veronica Monet

Thank you to each of you for your love and support. 2020 is almost over. May we each experience more sanity and safety in 2021. And here's to a world where we can once again hug the ones we love!

Death Valley is magical. I don't quite get it but it was the perfect way to grieve and come back home grateful for life!

My cousin died before I headed North to see her. We said our goodbyes over the telephone. I was bereft so I took my RV to Death Valley. Somehow that destination felt fitting. The drive was easy since I chose dry roads with little traffic. And Death Valley was both gorgeous and devoid of life. No grass, bushes or trees. No birds except for crows. As I drove back home, I started to see life again. First sagebrush and cactus. Then cattle grazing on grass. Then trees and birds and deer . . . it was a perfect trip for both grieving the loss of a loved one and emerging to celebrate the beauty of being alive. Thank you for all the encouragement and expert input. You were right about the engine on my particular RV. When going down a steep grade, the engine shifted into low gear of its own accord. I am now hooked.. It's RVs all the way! Happy Holidays everybody and remember to tell the people you love, that you love them. You never know how long they will be with you.

How horrible! I have taken this road (Highway 36) off my list of options. And thanks Joe for the heads up about inside gatherings. As it happens my partner is high risk so I am super careful. I do not eat out. My only exposure is going to the organic coop for our food. I always wear a mask and wash my hands. The reason for the RV is so I don't have to eat out or use public restrooms. Thanks!

Yep. I get that 20 is best. It will make for a shorter trip too.

How horrible! I have taken this road off my list of options. I can only imagine having fun on CA199 if I were on a motorcylce.

What about Red Bluff, CA to Eureka, CA? That is CA Highway 36

Well, back to the drawing board. Thanks for having my back.

Thank you for this! I am thinking of driving to Sacramento to connect with I5 and then going to Redding where I will drive west to Crescent City and then east to Grants Pass to connect with I5 again. Even if the weather on the Siskiyou Pass is good, I intend to do this because those 7 miles downhill at the pass scare me in a car. LOL Comments and critiques welcome ya all! I am learning SO much from all of you, even when you disagree. Bless you and stay safe!

Thank you for alerting me to this. I am visiting my cousin in Seattle. She is dying from cancer and will probably be dead in another few weeks. So it's my last chance to see her and she is literally living for my visit and that of her sister who arrives via a commercial flight on the 21st. I chose to risk the weather and road conditions instead because I don't trust the airports during the pandemic. I just got a COVID test yesterday even though I feel perfectly healthy. And I will not be eating in any restaurants or using any restrooms. Hence the RV. So those who guessed that I am using an RV to quarantine myself are spot on! I have been very close to my cousin for most of our lives so seeing her before she dies is very important to both of us. That said, I realize it is a huge luxury because she is not dying from COVID. So many have not been able to be with their loved ones when they died alone in a hospital from COVID. My heart grieves for their agony. I can't even imagine. I won't be eating with my cousin even though she would like that. But my partner is susceptible to lung infections so I can't risk it. And once I return, I will be getting another COVID test and then quarantining myself for two weeks before he and I can be in the same house. Sigh. Quite the times we are living in. Please stay safe everyone and thank you for your love and support.

Okay thanks. Sorry for the newbie questions but you are all helping me a ton!!!

So if I am driving 45 to 50 mph in a 65 mph zone, and the road has only one lane for each direction of traffic, what is the safest way to allow others to pass? I am worried about pulling over onto the shoulder. Advice?

Cool! Thanks for the tip!

Okay, I am going to go North on 101 and then if the roads allow I can come home on Southbound I5. I really appreciate all the wisdom, experience and encouragement!

Do any of you have an opinion about taking Highway 97 to Klamath Falls and then cutting over to Medford via Highway 140 so I can reconnect with I5? I really want to avoid the Siskiyou Pass because those downhills are hard for me even in my car. Thoughts?