EUREKA, CA TO COLUSA, CA

Driving on Hwy 101 in WA, OR, and much of Northern CA, is an experience that exposes you to everything from the Pacific Ocean, to tall Redwood trees.  Some stretches are narrow, curvy, two laned, with lots of ups and downs.  As time goes on, more and more of this scenic highway is upgraded to 4 lanes, but it has a long way to go before I would classify it as "RV friendly".   The less than "RV friendly" sections notwithstanding, Hwy 101 will always be one of my favorite drives, whether in an RV, or on a motorcycle.

We said adios to Hwy 101 north of Ukiah, heading east on Hwy 20 towards Clear Lake.  The drive around the north shore of this very large lake is slow going, as there are several small towns with speed limits of 35 & 45 mph.  This is where the scenery turns from lush green, with tall trees, to more of a tan tone, with a a scattering of oaks. 

We stopped in Williams at a Shell station on Hwy 20, where diesel was $4.40 a gallon.....ouch!  I knew there was more than one reason why we moved out of CA.  With full fuel tanks, and empty pockets, we drove east another few miles on Hwy 20, to the Colusa County Fairgrounds.  The fair office is closed on Fridays, but we found a maintenance guy who told us how to get into the always open 9th street gate.  Once inside the fairgrounds, we had the place to ourselves, with 50 amp electrical & water hookups for $20 a night.

This was the last full day of travel with our pal Nancy.  This morning, she will head south toward her home in Atwater, while we continue east toward Nevada.  We've spent the last 5 months traveling together on a journey that has taken us all the way to the tip of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska.  Except for a few days ago, where we split up while our second windshield of this trip was being installed, we've been together 24-7. 

When this trip first started, I remember telling Nancy that when it was all over, she would have the confidence of knowing that she had done an RV trip that many folks only dream about.  I have watched her take on every task associated with driving and maintaining a big motor home, without so much as a hint of any drama.  I've only had to be the big brother a few times, when experience, or muscle was necessary.  It's been a pleasure, and Patty and I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again.

In a few weeks, Patty & Nancy will be flying to Costa Rica for a different kind of adventure, and I'll be left home alone.  Gee, I wonder what I'll do without the constant threat of being dragged kicking and screaming into what seemed like a never ending number of quilt shops! 

Miles traveled - 242  Cumulative - 9,429
Colusa Co. Fairgrounds - $20  Cumulative RV Parks $1,855.35
Diesel - Circle K Eureka - 23.8 Gals @ $4.20 = $100
Diesel - Shell Williams - 69.3 Gals @ $4.40 = $305
Fuel $405  Cumulative fuel total - $5,260.92
MPG 7.9  Cumulative average MPG - 7.9