We left Redlands about 10:00 Sunday morning and got to I5 and the base of the Grapevine about 11:30. Grapevine is nickname for the 4,400' pass over the Tehachapi Mountains. Traffic was quite slow and then we got into this unforecasted mess and 25 degrees. DS Josh pointed out that the crazy California drivers are tailgating, even on ice. Stepdaughter Margi informed him that it's just stop-and-go traffic.The cars were zipping by us with just regular street tires, until they started sliding off the road and then they slowed to this crawl. The windshield wipers froze so Ian finally had to pull over and break off the ice. When we got back on the road, we were the only car on the entire stretch, clear to the San Joaquin Valley - eerie. We stopped at an In 'n Out Burger for lunch in Bakersfield about 2:00 and the whole buzz was how they had closed the Grapevine. Southbound traffic stretched for miles. Apparently we were the last northbound car through!
We spent the night in Modesto. The hotel had a writing desk and Alexia was thrilled to sit and draw at for an hour while we looked at our laptops. We didn't get home until mid-day Monday so my picture for week 11 wasn't taken until Tuesday. It snowed, then rained and then snowed again while we were gone.
We awoke to pogonip - an adaptation of a Shoshone word that means cloud. It is what meteorologists call freezing fog. It flocks the trees and is gorgeous to look at but nasty to drive in. It was 18 degrees when I took this picture at 9:00 in the morning. Tomorrow is supposed to be the last day. I feel like the witch from Narnia has been here.
This was my travel knitting - it's the 4th time I've made this scarf but the first one I get to keep for me. The yarn is MadelineTosh fingering weight superwash Merino, very soft. I had worked on another scarf for about 4 hours and finally ripped it out after mistakes, reknitting and diminishing fun. Knitting is supposed to be fun!Ian and I went to town this morning to see our doctor and go over annual lab work that was done in December. Both of our reports were excellent except for one thing. I've developed hypothyroidism and came home with a prescription for Synthroid. I start taking it in the morning and he assures me I will notice a change in my energy levels within the first week - a late Christmas present. Woo hoo!
12 comments:
What a trip! It's been an unusual winter already across the whole country! Glad you're home safe!
Glad to hear that you've been diagnosed and will experience better living through modern pharmacology! Both my mom and sister take meds for hypothyroidism, and my sister learned the hard way that not all thyroid meds are created equal - something that some docs accept and some don't. If you don't get the results you expect, remind me to ask her for the info to share with you.
Rick got his lab work back today, too. His cholesterol and LDL have dropped dramatically and his liver function is fine in spite of the drugs. His HDL really should be higher, but don't know if he'll do the extra exercise that would help. All in all, it's good.
What a drive! The frost photos are beautiful - it looks like what I call hoar frost.
What a drive. But like evelynoldroyd wrote; the photo's are beautiful.
Hope you feel better soon.
Ugh, over the grapevine is rarely fun and with that weather coupled with CA drivers you deserve a medal!
Beautiful pictures. We rarely get hoar frost like that up here, but watching the low clouds/fog roll in over the ridge is creepy and awe inspiring
Gotta love those California drivers(NOT). I'm glad you had a good time, and the Lexi was such a good traveler.
I'm especially glad that you made it home ok!
Welcome home. Glad you guys had a nice trip.
God was sure watching out for you on that trip! Glad you are safe at home. Lovely picture, though.
It's snowing here and you can see it in the picture I took about half an hour ago. I'll get it posted tonight or in the morning.
Mmmmm... That yarn looks luscious!!!
I just got done leaving you a comment but guess something went wrong. My DIL would love your purple scarf. It's her favorite color.
I have been on the Grapevine when the weather was less than wonderful. Three hours at a total stand still when a semi skidded off the interstate. Very blustery weather but we listened to the CB and heard some funny conversations amongst the truckers.
Glad you got meds to make you feel better. Will that affect your weight any?
I'm glad to hear that you had a great trip with no mishaps. It's so amazing that people don't slow down while driving on ice and snow!
I love your purple scarf-so soft and colorful.
Have a great weekend,
Judy
Glad to hear things are looking up for you energywise. Feeling drained is no fun at all. The snow is lovely.... we had some last night, it is pretty, and not too deep. After the witch, comes Aslan!
So pretty! All of our lovely snow has melted away here in Chicago, leaving the landscape a bit grey, brown, and dingy.
I hope the meds help! Good thing to find out now. My mom had the same problem, and they worked wonders.
The scarf is looking gorgeous. I need to knit that pattern sometime soon!
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