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Thursday, 06/19/03; Bakersfield, California
Ho Hum…
Excuse our yawning. There probably are fewer roads more boring than California SR-99 from Sacramento to Bakersfield. This is especially true if one has traveled the road many times as we have. The land is flat – the highest points on the road are the over crossings. There is little of natural beauty except the many colorful, large oleander plants, which line the roadway or the few green vineyards along the way. There are many towns, small and large, but they contribute very little to the trip, except safe haven in the case of mechanical failure. I-5, which runs down the central valley to the west is little better from the standpoint of natural beauty. It does soar above the valley in places and provides better vistas, but it has no towns on it and few service areas. Thus, it is not an attractive option for a party with an ailing Model A. Today, the valley was enveloped in a milky haze, so the grand Sierra Nevada range to the west was obscured from view. Just a hint of cumulous clouds could be seen where the mountains should be.
There are but few rest stops on SR-99, so we were fortunate to find one south of Lodi, where we stopped for a 45-minute lunch. At lunch, we decided to continue on to Bakersfield about 50 miles away, instead of stopping at Visalia or Tulare. This will put us at home tomorrow morning. The temperature, as we pulled into the motel at 1430, was 91 degrees, so we were happy to call it quits, before it got hot!
We are sorry to have to tell you that “Clara” has taken up smoking! Joan and Dennis discovered this several days ago and told the Smiths. We have talked to her seriously on several occasions and explained this is not a healthy thing to do. However, she persists. She is up to over a quart of oil a day and we have told her if she continues that we will have to put her into a rehabilitation center to affect a cure when we get home. She seems repentant at times, but we think it is a sham and that we will have to take strong measures sooner or later.
The group hasn’t discussed the impending end of our tour, so it isn’t possible right now to explain what our collective feelings are. Keith feels a sense of loss; loss of the exhilaration of awakening each day to a new adventure. When we finish, will the memories suffice to replace the daily excitement of our tour? There is some sense of accomplishment – of setting a definite, not easily achieved goal and being on the verge of reaching it. Of course, we have about three more hours of rigorous driving ahead of us tomorrow, but we are all confident that we will be coming in on eight wheels and two engines!
To the members of our families and friends in Southern California, we can say that we will be seeing you, soon!
This will be the last report “on the road.” The next one will be a wrap-up once we have reached home. If you wish to contact Keith, use his regular e-mail address:
The Dauntless Four
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