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 

Going nowhere today......whiteout!!!!!

Well we woke this morning to a fairyland!- over night snow! It has turned into a blizzard and they have stopped all traffic on the roads - except if you have chains or a four wheel drive - even then I don't think it would be a good idea. It's a complete whiteout down the highway we are told, so we are staying put and riding out the snow storm in our nice cosy motel room. Luckily we stocked up on food in the van's esky!

Surprise! - What we woke  up to this morning.

The car park this morning

The car park this afternoon

Van and motel grounds this morning

Van and motel grounds this afternoon

The entrance to the motel- or what use to be the entrance.
Think something important is missing?

The van in the parking lot this morning

The van in the parking lot this afternoon

Dolly next door goes for a walk in her snowcoat - very stylish! lol

This poor little fellow needed a coat :(
Got such a shock when I walked around the corner and saw this poor dog -
frozen stiff from being left out in the blizzard all night I thought!
Relief! - it is a statue!- so realistic!

Nature's art work

Another of Mother Nature's creations

On the road....storm chasers!

So our road trip adventure begins! With the Turtle all nipped, tucked and tweaked we set off south down H97. Our intention was to head west to Eugene and then over to coast and down the coast road to Napa Valley and San Francisco. Unfortunately because of al the snow McKenzie Pass was closed and so our
path across the mountains was blocked!

It was a very picturesque trip down to the Mt Shasta area in California where we are staying the night. We'd planned to camp in The Turtle at the Mt Shasta KOA (Campgrounds of America) but quickly abandoned that idea as a huge snow storm was swirling around Mt Shasta - besides being freezing we didn't want to wake up in the morning under a mound of snow!, so we took refuge in a motel in a little town called Weed - yes, Weed - we can now add another definition of the word to the dictionary = a small, cold, snowy Californian town near Mt Shasta! It does look very pretty blanketed in snow.

We are looking forward to arriving in the Napa Valley tomorrow for a bit of wine tasting.

Just south of Bend - Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Thought we were back in Kona, Hawaii, except for the snow

This is what it was like all the way to Klamath falls - snow, snow everywhere!

Very pretty! Glad it was nice and warm in The Turtle.

The sun bursts through the snow storm clouds near Crater Lake National 

Upper Klamath Lake.  Sunshine and snow storm over  the Mountain
Lakes Wilderness Area behind.

South of Klameth Falls - the first flat farmland we'd seen.

Near Goosenest Mountain, 8280 feet,

Klamath National Forest. Snow storm in background.

Mt Shasta amidst the snow storm - not a good idea to camp

at its base in the Turtle !

An unscheduled walk in the park!

False start today! Luckily! As we headed out of beautiful Bend we stopped to take a pic of the magical Cascades - Bend's stunning backdrop mountain range. It snowed again last night and they were heavily layered with snow. As I walked back to the van I noticed water coming out of the engine- coolant! and so the Turtle is in getting a nip, tuck and a tweak before we head off tomorrow! We are so thankful we didn't get down the highway and cook the engine!!! Glad I'm a photo freak!!!!

So we had the opportunity to explore some of this beautiful town this afternoon. We strolled through historic and quirky Downtown Bend with its trendy boutiques and cafes and into Drake Park on the banks of the Descheutes River - a very nice area of Bend.

We knew we had ears and noses this afternoon as it got so cold - it snowed as we walked back to our motel and we could see the snow storm over the Cascades.

The Cascades

The photo that saved the day!

Downtown Bend - very  quirky and quaint area with lots of historic buildings.

Strolling around Downtown Bend

This poor man is frozen stiff!! 

Walking along the riverbank in Drake Park - the park

is named after the founder of Bend.

The Descheutes River runs through Bend

Snow storm over the Cascades

Homes along the river.

Lovely Riverside Drive community

Lovely home overlooking the park

Smart bear - he's got his scarf on to protect him from the cold!

Housekeeping today....

The sun was shining when we woke up this morning, but it was still very cold and a big frost had settles all over our car - had to wash it off before we could drive- it's something new for us Gold Coasters.  With the sun out and some rain last night magical Bend was stripped of its beautiful snow :(  - the winter wonderland had gone!

Today was "get the Turtle organised for the road trip". After jump lead starting it (didn't like sitting their alone for 5 months) and taking the trailer off, we took it to get a service and then organised everything inside - familiarising ourselves with what was where - Amanda and Luke won't be able to find things now - he.... he.... he.... - treasure hunt kids!!!! (only kidding!).  We stocked up on our food.  We are ready to head off tomorrow.

Captain Pete has mastered the driving of the Turtle very well!!! Just got to get use to the blinkers being on the left of the wheel and not using the windscreen wipers to turn a corner! lol Oh, and remember to stay on the right side of the road instead of the left! - very important over here!

The Turtle packed and ready to go

Captain Pete takes charge.

A change of weather and scenery today..

Out of the clouds as we approached Salt Lake City, Utah, airport and presto..... snow everywhere! We changed planes and headed for Redmond where we hired a car and drove to Bend. Very picturesque area with the conifers and everything blanketed in snow. Will be great skiing for all those enthusiasts who live and flock here to enjoy this winter wonderland..... funny, it is the first day of spring today!!!!

After a quick sightsee around town and the surrounds we found some accommodation and headed off to check on Luke and Amanda's van. All good. Will get it all organised tomorrow and head off on our road trip, weather permitting!

Approaching Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City nestled amongst the mountains and

surrounded by salt lakes

Blanketed in snow

The salt lakes

Salt lakes and the towering snow clad mountains -

beautiful!

Arriving in Bend, Oregon

Starting to snow

The Turtle