Day 7 Hawthorne to Fallon, Silver Springs, Dayton , Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Placerville,
Sacramento, Petaluma, Days Inn, Novato California.
Had I been on my original track/schedule I would have awakened in Placerville this morning with a short 135 mile run into Novato or Petaluma. My plan was to come across Nevada on 50 from Ely. Instead I have about a 350 mile day, make that 370, but should be back on schedule.
Woke up 5:00 am still on Texas time, so I used the time to catch up some notes on my wanderings, ( see I do pay attention SAB ).
Leaving Hawthorne to Walker Lake great stretch of road. Down on the lake side of the road are what I believe to be several head of Desert Bighorn Sheep. Could be wrong about that as I flunked animal recognition in 4th grade misidentifying a black and white kitty cat.
There are several more head that had moved just below a little rise and out of sight before I could get the camera out.
I head out to Fallon, thru Fallon I miss my turn on 50 to Silver Springs and wind up in Fernley. No biggie catch Alt95 S and come in from the north to Silver Spring. Absolutely stunning view of Lahontan Reservoir so kinda glad I missed my turn. You'll have to take my word for it because I didn't see a good place to stop for a picture without turning around.
I've heard Montana called Big Sky country, so i figger it must be some where close to here. Absolutely beautiful.
Moseying on along I come across a horse herd grazing beside road just outside Dayton. Traffic whizzing by, no one seems to be paying attention, but me.. Have no idea if these are wild or belong to a ranch here as almost all is open range.
Carson City on to South Lake Tahoe stunning views, fun road heavy traffic mild temperatures.
Again I passed by all the really good places for pictures. Going thru the town of Strawberry rather large wagon train was forming up.
From Placerville into Sacramento then south on I-
80 to 37 (Sears Point Road) west toward Novato. Never ever will I be guilty of going close to Sacramento again, and 37 was worse. 2 lane bumper to bumper by San Pablo Bay. First road I saw turn north, I took. Didn't know where I was or where I was going but I was out of that traffic and that was good enough. Almost. Turned out to be Lakeville road which eventually led me to Petaluma, which was one of my destinations. Jump on ramp to 101 N to look for a motel, and realize I have just entered a huge parking lot. Managed to get to the first exit and make a U-turn and head south on 101 to Novato. No traffic to speak of. Now to find a room. Got a room at the Day's Inn for one night, they were booked the next night.
I have a niece in Petaluma I was intending to drop by and visit unannounced on my free day. I decided that if 101 was like that the next morning I was going nowhere and the boys could just come get me and lead me outta there.