33. San Francisco Bay Area - September 14

We’re heading to Oregon via Orinda and Sunnyvale. For you foreigners, both cities are in California. Of course getting ready for such a lengthy road trip takes some manipulation and preparation for Dickie. He creates detailed packing lists for every unforeseen event, including the possibility of a rapid Arctic ice melt that will flood the entire Planet. For me going somewhere used to be a rather simple thing. I threw a few clothes in a bag with some make-up and toothpaste. That was it. I was ready to go. Obviously this was before I married Dickie. Now trip planning is a tedious process. Spontaneity if for the weak and stupid – that’s his motto!

9.30 AM: Dickie loads the car. Of course I can’t help because he is the only one who can stack our earthly possessions properly.

10.30: I pull out of the garage. With my severe lead foot syndrome I drive at near light speed to try to catch up to the original departure time of 10.00.

11.30: We cross over to California and get interrogated by the “Border Patrol” at the “Bug Station.” (All fruit and veggies are prohibited to take into the “promised land.”) I give the inspector a salute, smile and say “nothing to declare.” He salutes back and waves me through. Thank you, thank you very much.

(Valuable tip: If you’re hauling anything illegal you can avoid the inspection station by turning off on 89. Drive alongside scenic Donner Lake and innocently get back on the freeway down the road.

Logic: Plan a major potty break in Truckee when bypassing the checkpoint. A straight shot would raise a few eyebrows with the people that watch that sort of thing, than would a “touristy” jaunt thru town stopping for gas, food, and a little trinket shopping. Unfortunately you run the risk of meeting up with the local yokels in Truckee).

Once in California I hang onto my bonnet and move the machine as fast as I can to keep up with the natives. Heck I even pass a cop going faster than the traffic flow and he left me alone. Lucky me!

12.45: Lunch at "Cafe at Pottery World" in Rocklin, a wonderful little neighborhood place where trendy hippies eat. We L.O.V.E.D it. Thanks Chuckie for the recommendation.

2.00: On the road again. Note: the cops between Colfax and Auburn have a reputation for being run like the Gestapo, so slow down.

2.30: Dickie finishes his puzzles and no other entertainment is available. So he takes the extraordinary step – unthinkable at home – and acknowledges my existence.

3.00: We merge onto Interstate 680S, than turn onto CA-24W.

3.30: We take exit 9, merge onto Camino Pablo, turn slightly right, than left and right again. Another slight left and we arrive at Bob and Sandy’s manor at 4.00. Note: If you ransack this ritzy neighborhood you get away with a big loot. Should you get caught, fess up to three counts of first-degree robbery and live the rest of your life on death row in San Quentin, or get pardoned the next days.

6.15: Party time: We drink, overindulge and live it up with Bob, Sandy, Steve, Judy and Penny. Tired from all the fun and excitement we hit the sack before midnight.

Next day: After a scrumptious breakfast we’re on the road again, matching wits with the guys who drive about 20 miles above the speed limit. Our destination was the Parkinson Institute in Sunnyvale, about an hours drive from Orinda.

It’s not an easy place to find, since you must maneuver on CA-13 S, Interstate-580 E, I-238 N, I-880 S, and CA Hwy-237 W. If you miss an exit you’re hopelessly lost on the 73 billion miles of California freeways.

Bob and Sandy, thanks a bunch for your hospitality. As always you made us feel so welcome and we had a great time.

Click on the blue mapquest link for the map from Sparks to Orinda (230 miles/370 km)

http://www.mapquest.com/embed?hk=q57nMe"

Click on the blue mapquest link for the map from Orinda to Sunnyvale (52 miles/84 km)
http://www.mapquest.com/embed?hk=pOtYht