In Which I Find Great Beauty and Stunning Ugly.
I could not get out of Reno fast enough. The only good news on this morning is that the motel had flood lights on the whole parking lot to cut down on prostitution and dope dealing so I didn't have to wait until it was light to pack and go. I didn't.
Within 50 miles of Reno I'd gained enough elevation that I needed more clothing on me, an entirely good situation. I watched the sun come up at the junction of US 395 and State 70 (California) called Hallelujah Junction. I love name and the place. High desert and deserted, I knew I was on the right road.
I needed gas in Greenville, CA but had forgotten that last year's Dixie Fire had completely destroyed the place. I didn't take many fire destruction photos, but it was incredibly depressing. They are rebuilding the gas station and a bit of the town one year later, but not very much.
Can you imagine the helpless feeling of seeing that fire come toward you at 20 MPH? It must have seemed the whole world was dying.
My intent was to spend a little time in Lassen NP, particularly when it seemed the fire had stopped at the road. It didn't, and there is serious damage inside the park. It's just a shame. I ended up just mostly riding slowly through the park, I hardly stopped and took no further photos. Sigh. If I live long enough it will be good to see the regrowth, I'm sure it will happen. Sooner or later.
I was way low on gas when I cleared Lassen NP, and I had to buy from a place just outside the Park. $6.58 per gallon, my new personal highest price paid. Free popcorn, though.
There were no organized campgrounds near McCloud, CA when I needed to stop. I'd been rained on a couple of times and could see more rain on the way. I stopped at a really likely looking place to set up for the night and found this. I can not express how outraged I am at this trash dump in a really pretty area. Just incredibly shitty.
I walked half a mile or better to check out this campsite. Turning that motorcycle and trailer around on a Forest Service road is an adventure. This lovely site is actually part of an NFS timber sale and was a great place to camp.
And there it is, Home Sweet Home. The dirt was way too soft to park the motorcycle on, so big red isn't in the picture. Note the rainfly on the tent (I needed it, and it worked perfectly) and the folding camp table right of the tent. It's a Coleman brand and I really like it. This was the first time I actually used the table, as I'd been in campsites with picnic tables up until now.
I'll end this day with this flower. I don't know what it is, but it was fairly common here at this site. A little beauty after the fire desolation and the trash dump eased my soul.
Next time, we are headed for Crater Lake. As it turns out it also would be the start of the Covid Saga. I hope you will return for that! Thanks for stopping by and sharing some of your valuable time for my post.
All words and photographs in this post are mine. For better or worse.