We have made this trip many times now, so it gets harder and harder to find scenes that we haven't photographed before. We like to stop at Jack's Landing RV Park in Grants Pass, OR our first night out, because we are about 48 miles from the summit of the Siskiyou Mt. Pass. We watch the web cams at the pass and this distance allows us to judge the right time to leave to make it through the pass, if the weather is at all favorable. This sunset was heavenly, but told the story of the cold and potential for nasty precipitation.
The next morning there was heavy frost, even at 10:45 am. We waited until about 11 am to leave to make sure that the Siskiyou Pass was free of this frost on the roadway.
Mt. McLoughlin was spectacular this year. Some years, the clouds or icy fog prevent this shot.
Medford is the last big town before the California border. The salmon on the I-5 overpass welcome those coming from the south to the Pacific Northwest, and remind those of us who are leaving what we will miss.
We have taken a photo of this place before, but it is so prominent as you drive through Medford, OR, we couldn't resist. It is a luxurious retirement home, with views to die for. The advertising that we have seen is very impressive.
We are approaching one of the critical moments for an RV in the Siskiyou Mts. We can enjoy the beauty of the snow on the trees because the wheel tracks on I-5 are dry, even in the shade. We are going to get through the pass. Yippee!
Around the corner we catch up to this truck and see snow, even in the sun. The pavement is drier and the summit is very close.
The Siskiyou Summit! Usually, there are several trucks checking their brakes in the area to the right. There weren't any. Another good sign that the down hill road is good. What do you think of this view?
The snow didn't let up on the down hill side of the summit. Note the Fed Ex truck has passed two trucks and we have slowed down, only to allow truckers to keep their schedules. We are retired; they aren't.
Last year Mt. Shasta was almost bare of snow. It is wonderful to see that it is covered this year. Can you see the multiple cones?
The amount of snow on the ground next to I-5 in the valley around Mt. Shasta was impressive.
The wind is strong on top of the mountain.
We spent about 25 minutes getting fuel. These clouds formed in that time. Speaking of fuel. Even with all the taxes on fuel in California, the price of diesel was decent.
Black Butte is a cinder cone next to Mt. Shasta. We have told the story of Ted stepping off the skid of a helicopter onto this cone to fight a fire when he was 18. Fun memories every time we drive by here.
Shasta Lake is a good measure of the drought that has plagued California for a while. Just past here, we quickly drop down out of the mountains and, usually, get warm temperatures. We got warmer temps, but not truly warm ones.
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