California or Bust

(Or how my GPS continues to try to kill me)

     Now I know it seems crazy to post again so soon, but it took me way too long to post last time so... after I felt led to quit my job in the UP of Michigan, I became a travel therapist; moved to Ottumwa, IA where I again worked with some great people (and some crazy things like moving 5 times in 2 months), and then chose to start my next assignment in

 (drum roll here)

     Sonora, CA. But that isn't all. On my way here I decided to take a detour. Yes, this one I actually planned not my GPS. I realized that I was only about 5 hrs out of the way to Yellowstone. So planned detour #1. Then on my way there I realized I was only 30 min away from Chimney Rock which is a major part of all history and really good westerns.

     Then since all was going well I decided to continue on to Yellowstone. That brought back some memories. When I was about 11 we went on our first real vacation. The badlands, Yellowstone, Tetons, Corn Palace, Wall drug, Mt Rushmore, and finally home to Grand Forks, ND all in 5 days.
So to reminisce I did Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, and California in 6 days. Anyways, when we went I had just bought myself a 110 camera (it's a type of film… No it's easier to just say it was before your phone took selfies). LOL

     So this camera was bought at a yard sale for $.50 and came with an added flash because back then they didn't come with them built in. Of course this camera was old when I bought it, but… It looked kind of like this (yep pretty bulky). We also didn't realize that because it was old the cover in the back that held the film in was weak. After the second time we had to drive back to pick up the film that fell out of the back of the camera Mom came to the rescue. Not scotch tape, not duct tape, not even gum. Nope, she gave me a band aid.

 


     But it worked, and for my birthday that year I got a brand new 110 camera that didn't need the flash attached. Kind of like this one. Much cooler right?

     Well, this time on my trip to Yellowstone I didn't need the band aid, and I got some good pictures! Then it was on to California. That's when it all went wrong. My GPS (the one in my phone now) had been behaving. It was telling me (for the most part) where to turn and when, and had not once tried to kill me. I should have known it was too good to last.

     There I was entering California, just me, my GPS, and my Ford Escape. It was a bright sunny day, but there were sinister clouds in the distance. Well, not really, but it sounds better for dramatic effect. So I see signs for Sonora Pass. All sweet and innocent. Then it happened. I should have been suspicious when I saw the cows in the field laughing at me, but I was just naively going on my merry way.



     Then there was the sign stating that no semis or travel trailers should attempt the pass. And finally the Marines swarming all over in a training mission. But no… There I am clinging to the steering wheel as I pump the brakes and "verbal cue" (not talk to myself) that "You can do this" as I take another hairpin curve around the side of the mountain with a solid rock wall on one side and varying from 6,000ft to 10,000 ft sheer drop on the other side. I mean have they never heard of guard rails?!?!


     But my trusty Escape (who I sometimes refer to as Es-scap-ea for Dori in Finding Nemo) overcame the nefarious, evil GPS through sheer grit, tears (of course not me crying)
, "Verbal cuing", and the strong need to find a bathroom. Hey! I hadn't stopped since someplace in Nevada! Anyways, by the time I got to the other side of the pass I had a whole new appreciation for the pioneers. I mean they didn't even have roads. Just wooden wheels and dirt trails.

      Needless to say I will not be going that way on the way home! Of course who knows what evil plans my GPS may have determined by then. (insert evil chuckle)