I'm sort of unpacking my thoughts in reverse order now.

Taking the Alien Highway route back meant we came back through Yosemite. Which normally would have been completely awesome. But we started getting rain in Gallup Mew Mexico. Which is where we first found out about the Grapevine. I Loves twitter so much. (yeah - intentionally misspelled unlike my normal writing where I can be a tard)

And it was raining super, wipers on high, hard. This of course turned me into a sissy because waterfalls started popping out everywhere, and that whole grapevine thing had just happened so I was sort of freaked. Plus I've never driven in snow or even been a passenger in it. I wasn't sure what kind of weather we were going to get at this point. The rain did make driving through the desert way more interesting though.





I really became a little freaked when the whole side of this mountain started having waterfall veins all over it.




When we first planned our trip I thought we would be two weeks late for the changing of the leaves. But by the time we got to Ohio, the trees were beautiful, but not enough to get the camera to really capture it. In Yosemite it was all I could do to get a few shots through the windshield wipers. It was raining that hard.



One interesting thing was the military was up there camping out. I saw a couple of  base camps. But they were all in cammo with cammo tents, so I only got a brief shot of their trucks.




We finally did see some snow around the 9000 foot level.




Which is also where I started thinking I was being a little dramatic about the level of tree loss here in Ca. At 9000 feet, things looked pretty normal. However, by the time we got down to 5000 feet, you could really see the stress the trees were under. Around Twain Harte I guestimated they might lose 15% of their trees.



The view from 9000 feet.



Now you start getting into the 5000 feet range and you can see the change.











By the time we got to the valley floor we were shocked to find out there had been really no rain. I mean, it rained for three states( Gallup to Yosemite), and we get back. Nothing.

Mark it off the list.

Last year when Mr S. and I drove to CES I thought we might take the Alien Highway route back. I found this super quirky hotel called the Clown Motel, and I thought it would be funny to stay there. There is an extra funny perk that the hotel is right next to an old turn of the century graveyard. I thought I might get some IR night shots that would make it super spooky looking. However once you get done with CES, you are kinda done and overwhelmed, so we never took that route.



When we found out we couldn't get through Barstow for an unknown amount of time, we decided to take the Alien Highway route. I was also curious about the Tonopah solar project. If you've been reading this blog for long enough you know how I feel about this solar crap. But, when we drove into Vegas last year,  the one there was pretty fascinating to see no matter how I feel. So I thought this town would be a little like that. No sun that day. No sweet sun rays of death.



We decided to not book a room at the clown hotel. I pussed out at that last minute. I mean, it would be funny, but when it came down to it - clowns freak me out.

So - there are basically only 5 hotels in the whole town. I chose a room in the only one that claimed to have a king bed left. We were just happy to have a room. But when we get there, they don't have a room with a king bed. The only reason why this is sort of a problem in because Mr S. is tall, so with the smaller beds his feet have to hang off the side all night and that kinda sucks. But we were tired and really done. The hotel felt bad enough they comped the entire room. Which I've never ever had happen before. We didn't even yell at them. We just wanted to crawl in a bed somewhere. We were done traveling. It was our last day. You can put up with a lot when you know then end is near.

After seeing the room though, I think I wanted my money back. Even thought it was free. I think all the hotels in that town would have made you feel that way. It was the kind of room that if I would have had to pay, I would have been pissed. But I would have slept there anyway. Sometimes you just have to suck it up if you have no other options.

The next morning we get up and find out what a shit hole this town was. I never want to visit that town again. I mean, and I got a free room there! And that didn't even soften the town. Which really surprised me because the town is listed as a biker hangout. Usually they like some pretty run down places, but they are quirky run down places. I don't understand why everyone doesn't run away from that city.

I kind of figured the government boondoggle of the Tonopah solar plant would have slightly bled out into the city. I mean regular people don't normally get rich, but usually there are politicians who do.

Not there! I think that town is one of the worst places on earth. And I don't get the solar project. I drove for 4 hours in the dark to get there. Didn't see one light on anywhere. FOUR HOURS! From what I understand from electricity the longer you have to send it somewhere the more electricity you lose. At least the one next to Vegas - IS NEXT TO VEGAS!





These people got killed by a mine car.


Most people died by mine fires.


Even at the tun of the century you could tell who was richer.




Every once in a while you'd be surprised you'd see someone who had dies of natural causes like Cancer and pneumonia.

I just drove though some - you can't believe there are still places this remote and desolate- that if I had to live there I might be afraid to be alone with my thoughts.

On the bright side - road trips release the speed daemon in me. New Mexico is my new best friend. I got my truck up to 105mph and my lead car was walking away from me. There is almost no where in California where you can even try over 100. Even on 5 I try to keep it around 95.

I was going to push home tonight - but the Grapevine is totally effed. Meaning closed by a landslide. It's creating a huge mess because it's a major corridor. They are rerouting everyone. The whole time I've lived in Cali, I've only heard the of the grapevine being closed 3 times in my whole life. It snows every few years - but landslides are new.

I guess I'm getting snow after all. I have to go the Tahoe route.

I heart Memphis.

There is something about the South that I just love. People are just so nice and friendly and helpful. When I lived in Texas no matter where you got stuck - you'd have people come from the woodwork to help you. In a lake? They would rescue you. Stuck in a back road marsh? Some farmer would come down with his tractor and pull you out. It didn't matter where you were! The south is just like that. Or used to be.

Mr S. and I were however a little nervous about hitting a big city after the whole Cincinnati thing. But Memphis was everything I remember about the South. And so far they have had the best BBQ at the Blues City Cafe. I'd forgotten about the pecan pie in the south. So I had to have some of that. They grow Pecans down there.







The cute thing about Memphis is they have these Cinderella carriage rides. I didn't do it because I'm trying to get as much of the city in as I can in the shortest amount of time. But Memphis definitely moves up the next time I'm around this area.







They shut down Beale Street which is full of neon.







A couple of their old building are still standing because they've just put up metal frames to keep them up. But this one just has a tree growing inside. Nothing else. It's just charming.
And while I'm sure they have homeless, you can walk anywhere and feel completely fine. I will have to be back by Memphis way one day. I wish I could have stayed longer this time. Next time less family. More Memphis.

Wow Cinci.

I wound up sleeping in Cincinnati yesterday which I thought was going to be cool because they are trying to turn the town into an artsy city. However, Mr S. and I decided to walk down to one of the bodegas or whatever they call them there to get some chapstick.

I'm no stranger to homeless - but I've never felt stalked like I did in Cincinnati.  Every time I looked behind me I could see them shadowing us. And when they asked for money they keep asking louder and more intensely. That place gives San Fransisco a run for their money and then some. And they are pretty damn aggressive. Memorably aggressive. I've never once felt that threatened in San Fransisco.

Basket Building Newark OH.

I left Mr S.'s family in Akron this morning on the way to a new family spot. Yeah - I'm doing the whole family circuit. It's why I didn't fly. I didn't plan on seeing this building but stumbled across it on the way. My family said they used to make really great handmade baskets, but they outsourced the work to China because it was probably cheaper. It sort of pissed everyone off, and people stopped buying their stuff. And now it sounds like they might go bankrupt. I don't know how the presumed new owner is going to flip that building.

I think I'd seen a picture of this roadside attraction on the internet but it didn't really dawn on me that is was really a giant office building.

Oh, and we got just a couple of miles outside of Xenia Oh, and it started balls out raining. I really thought we would have seen snow by this time in Ohio. But rain is good enough. I did kind want to see snow though. Maybe in TX or New Mexico.

Where da white women at?

I can find a Masi anywhere. ANYWHERE.

As we were set to leave Moline we found a gas station I think on the Iowa boarder. As Mr S filled up I was staring off into a strip mall across the street. When he got back in I was like - is that a Masi? You couldn't see the whole car. I could just see the shape of the side window. As we got the the edge of the gas station parking lot, Mr S was like - that is a Masi.

I was like wow Iowa! You must be pretty swank to have a Masi here. I also thought it was super funny it had bugs embedded into it's grill because at some points on the drive it sounded like it was raining. Raining bugs! I haven't seen rain since Nevada. I've had to stop t wash my windshield about a million times.

I've been in Ohio for a couple of days now. OMG it's so normal here. My family lives in the most unfriendly place I've ever been to. And it can't be just because it's a poor area. Oakland has been pretty crap until the past few years, and even there the people are more friendly. You might get shot, but in a relatively friendly way. I mean, I am sarcastic - but the people in Moline don't even give a shit about pleasantries. A normal friendly smile does not exist there pretty much at all. I've never seen anything like it. The rest of Illinois was completely fine and normal.

Even the economy looks here in Ohio looks crazy better than when I was here a year and a half ago. The houses for sale look to be a much more normal level, And they are tearing stuff down to build new upscale malls. When I hit the city my family now lives in I sort of freaked out. I was like - the rest of the country isn't like this is it?

Most of my shots came out overexposed today. The trees here are amazing.  I've only been her ein the winter. I thought I was going to get autumn leaves more in the Colorado range.

I don't have anything for you today. Moline is one of the very rare cities I couldn't find anything interesting in. And I'm a curious person by nature. It's almost impossible to not find even one thing. The only thing I found here was a deeply unhappy people as a whole.

They do have blood donation centers on almost every block though. If that tells you anything.

You know what I haven't seen the whole trip?

A Tesla. I think it's funny because I found these chargers on the boarder of Nevada and Utah.

I don't really have much today. I'm in Moline Il. with my family. I haven't gotten that much chance to explore the city because half of the first day Mr S. and I fielded tech support questions. I hadn't seen my family for more than one hour before the pulled out the..... do you know why this is doing that.

The vibe is very different here. I know the State is having problems, but wow. These people feel like the life is being sucked out of them. I don't know if that's normal. Ohio will tell the tale. I was there two years ago and well, every other house had a for sale sign in front of it.

Listen America - you had two jobs.

Feed and entertain me. And you almost failed on the first part. It took me all the way to Lincoln Nebraska to find good BBQ at Phat Jacks. I was almost beginning to lose hope. I was sort of resenting having to eat at food at chains. You are the middle of America! I thought you would  be more original.

All of you States that brag about being "cow country" like Wyoming - you suck. I thought I'd find the best steak of my life. What else have you guys got to do there besides make great steaks?

I did try the balls though. They aren't bad........but they aren't good either. But when you drive through Wyoming, you have to say you tried it once. Doncha?

Walmart Masi.

Yesterday I bought truly legal weed for the first time ever. I'd say it's a cross between medical and the DMV.

Of course I had to find a place to buy a lighter, and there was a Walmart right across the street. I stroll up and what do I find? A Masi. Which I loved. Especially because it was at a Walmart. I wonder how often he shops there and how many dirty looks he gets.

I spent a little time in Ft Collins and it basically was like being in the Bay Area. The smog. The Masi', and the bums. I felt right at home!

How Nevada thinks it's better than California.

The whole State in a desert, but the water pressure is like a fire hose. And it rains there.
Plus they have a death star valley. I didn't get that many shots of Nevada because I drove most of it at night in a balls out raining/lightening storm.

Utah I would have liked to have spent more time there - but the speed limit is 80! OMG.

Today I'm going to dip down into Colorado to buy legal weed. I mean, I have a card which is legal, but you have to see what it's like to buy really legal weed.

Leaving Nevada

The Nevada leg hasn't been boring at all. We got crazy rain and lightening. All things that we as Californians never get. Oh, and you get to drive 75, so you aren't really speeding until you hit at least 80. Luvs it.

Okay America, I'm coming for you. Feed and entertain me.

Posts will be patchy. A lot of my images are still broken, but they will have to wait.

All the job numbers are going to be a surprise from here on out.

I've been watching tons of layoffs lately. But I would never wager to guess the number.

A funny thing started happening over the summer. Companies started trying to hide layoffs. Mostly this didn't surprise me until Intel started having layoffs in Oregon.

Intel was the first large company I saw that was purposefully trying to evade the news of this getting out in a major way. One of the papers up in Oregon had to put a lot of pressure on them (Intel) to get any info at all. Then, when they did - the info was pretty scant. It was then I said to myself - self - the reported layoff numbers are inaccurate. Obviously there is some serious silencing going on internally as well. I wouldn't be surprised if they made people sign agreements not to talk about them until their severance was over. By that time people will have lost interest.

We are entering the Christmas window which should goose hiring. But deflation takes a little while to work through the system. So I don't know if those will cancel each other out.

Oh - yes I am.

Today I had to get my girl legal so they don't confiscate her at the border on the way back to Ca. She's technically not a real pet, but livestock really. Better to be safe than sorry.