Welcome to California!

So I'm driving through Nevada, and damnit it's taking forever. Dorothy tells me good things "200 miles to go", but it just seems like it'll never end. I'm tired, uncomfortable and ready to see a new state. California. I decide to just shuffle my entire iPod and after skipping the first couple of songs, Jeff Tweedy sings this Woody Guthrie written song and it's just lovely. So, here are the lyrics and then I'll continue with my post. I love this song and it definitely cheered me up for those last 200 miles!

Id like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of california stars
Id like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of california stars
Id love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes, Id give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of california stars
Id like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of california stars
Jump up from my starbed and make another day
Underneath my california stars
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass lke friendly wine
So, Id give this world
Just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of california stars

OK, so back to Nevada. I don't like this state. Each stop was weird and creepy. Lots of smoke. Lots of gambling and it was really depressing. I hated stopping each time. And I felt kind of scared. The scenery, of course, was gorgeous and I so appreciated that! Definitely. My stopping point today was supposed to be Reno. Here's what happened:

I didn't eat very much today and was pretty hungry by the time I got there. I had about 2 miles until I got to the hotel and there it was. Like a beacon in the daylight. IN N OUT BURGER! Yummy. The only fast food place I will allow myself to go. How I've craved it. So I peel off the highway and into the parking lot. I'm SO excited. I phone Miriam and leave a silly message and head across the parking lot into the place. On my way across, a kid in a pick up truck with ear phones on almost mows me down. I jump out of the way and glare. Then, just as I'm about to walk in I hear a crash behind me. He totally crashed into a parked car in the lot. And it definitely freaked me out. I don't know what was going on, but I went in and tried to just forget it. I originally asked her to make my order for there, but quickly changed my mind as I looked around and realized I had to get the hell out of that state.

I phone Cassie to see if she'd help find me the next closest town and while we weren't able to figure it out quickly, it was really really nice to hear a friendly voice. And Dee was there too and it made me feel so much better to hear them! So, thanks ladies!

My order was up, I grabbed the bag and got the hell back on 80 West. 9 miles later, I was tearing up seeing the Welcome to California sign. I couldn't believe I had made it. And everything was just so beautiful. I was in the mountains and the trees were just incredible and I knew I had made the right decision getting out of Reno.

I had to pass through an agricultural inspection place and the dude asked where I was coming from and if I had any wild animals. We laughed as he said "besides you, of course." He made me laugh and told me a gas station was just up ahead. Whew. Once I filled up, I asked Dorothy where the closest hotel was. She said it was .2 miles away.

So here I am at the Inn of Truckee. It's fabulously perfect. The woman at the desk gave me the AAA discount "to make your travels a little easier" and my room really is perfect. One bed. A TV. A desk. Wireless and a window that looks out onto the street and a tree covered mountain. It's just beautiful and wonderful and I really couldn't be happier at this moment. Well, if Miriam were here I'd be happier, but this is a close second.

Tomorrow is my big day. I get to sleep in and I think I'll go over to Tahoe for a bit and walk around. I haven't had any exercise all week and am definitely feeling it. Then I will make my way to Berkeley and see the Allersma crew. Whooooo Hoooooo!

This was a long post. It's funny, after I left Moxie's today I didn't think I'd have anything to say. Boise.

Thanks for all of your comments. I LOVE logging in and seeing those. Really, they mean a lot so don't stop.

More tomorrow (or later if something odd happens).

Miss you!!

Neils