We return to be greeted by Nancy and the dogs.
The two day route we chose back from Monterey to Reno (350 miles - 560K) was very challenging. The first part took us to Oakdale - the cowboy capital of America - unfortunately there was no rodeo on the night we spent there. The route we took was incredibly twisty.
But we did not take this one!
The next day we took to the 6 lane highway - which took us over the famous Donner Pass from California back into Nevada.. When we previously crossed the Sierra Nevada's we took the Tioga Pass which is now closed for the winter - it is completely snowbound. The Donner Pass has snow too but the highway has been cleared. Lots of traffic and big trucks - ok going up over the mountain - but the trucks travel much faster downhill!
To reach California from the East, pioneer emigrants had to get their wagons over the Sierra Nevadas. A low notch in the mountains provided the first overland emigrants access through the pass.
The pass received its name from a group of California-bound emigrants. In early November 1846, the Donner Party found the route blocked by snow and was forced to spend the winter on the eastern side of the mountains. Of the 81 emigrants, only 45 survived to reach California - some of them resorted to cannibalism to survive.
There is now a memorial to the Donner Party - we stopped to have a look at it -
and Bob told me the story.
I have one day of R&R in Reno before I fly home.
Bob takes me to the National Automobile Museum which houses the "Harrah" (the the late casino owner) collection. The 200 cars are from the late 19th and early 20th century. If you are ever in Reno - even if you have no interest in cars - it's a must.
Bob and an old Rolls
Even in the more traditional form of transport Bob is worried about the safety of my driving!
Thanks for sharing the journey.
Brilliant blog!
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