The days at Lake Tahoe are very relaxing. Despite that I spend quite some working while I’m there, it’s a nice break from driving and hiking. That’s one of the great things of camping, you get a new appreciation for the basic things like a bed and a shower. Especially in a nice hotel right by the lake. Watching a movie on a big tv at night and chilling in a jacuzzi are a nice bonus of course. Besides that, I also go for short walks through the forest and along the lakeside. I visit the local coffee place a few times for some reading and work. I consider staying a bit longer, but since I still have a long way to go I choose to continue traveling after two days.
I drive to the west again, because my planned route is to go through Oregon and Washington to Montana. It’s about six hours driving to the coastal town Fort Bragg. The road to there is pretty on winding roads through forest and farm land until I reach the coast. It’s interesting how much the weather can change here with a few hours driving. I left Lake Tahoe with snowy mountains, found myself a few hours later in dry hot weather (90°F / 32°C) and finally in a foggy cold weather (59°F / 15°C) at the coast. When I arrive there I search for a place to stay for the night and find a store called RiteAid with a big parking lot. I ask a friendly lady who works in the store if I can keep my car parked there for the night and she tells me it’s fine. I don’t always ask, but since there were signs at other parking spots that overnight parking was not allowed, I just wanted to be sure. After parking my car I go for a short walk along the coast, but since it’s pretty cold outside I don’t go for too long. I get some food at the grocery store and settle down in my car for the night. There is a Starbucks right next to where I parked. I’ve worked at that coffee place in the past and I think that tomorrow morning I’ll spend a few hours there before I continue driving.
