Freed from Mt Shasta at last

After thinking we were going to have to spend another night as the prisoners of Mt Shasta, they opened H5 briefly after lunch to all traffic. As more heavy snow was predicted we took the window of opportunity and fled the clutches of Mt Shasta and said goodbye to Weed!

Pete taking off the Turtle's white mantle,
in other word - digging her out of the snow!
LOTS OF SNOW - A new experience for the Turtle as well as us!

The snow ploughs - a lot of them! quickly cleared H5 when there was a break
in the snow fall so the traffic could get through. More heavy snow was predicted. 

Pete snow walking! (running!) Couldn't get back to the motel quick enough, pack and
get out of Weed before the snow started again.

The flight through the mountains was a bit precarious as the snow and rain set in again but all was safe with Captain Pete at the helm! 

Once we reached Shasta Lake and  Mountain Gate we were free of the mountains and we came down into the wide, beautiful fertile Sacramento Valley and home to a huge variety of primary industry. Horses, cattle, sheep, crops and orchards provided the scenery on a very pleasant drive!

Olive trees

The fertile Sacramento Valley.

Before we reached Sacramento we detoured off H5 and headed west to the Napa Valley, a stunning wine region north of San Francisco. The scenery changed yet again as we climbed through the hills and mountains that surrounded the valley as we went from Winters to Napa.

The beautiful hills on the road between Winter and Napa.

The valley below Monticello Dam

Monticello Dam

Oak trees shrouded with Spanish moss line the roads

We had our first night camping in the Turtle, which proved quite comfy - we slept for 10hrs! Was nice to hear the rain tinkling on the roof.

This mound under the dooner is Pete sleeping peacefully in the van