Going South

Well I took off from home in the mini-muse-mobile at about 8:15am and actually had a very nice and comfortable 500 mile drive to a hotel just east of Sacramento arriving about 4:15. I didn't take many pictures since I was driving and wanted to arrive before the rush hour traffic. So here are a few pictures I took from the car - a little blurry but it's the best I could do today .

I took this on the drive down Siskiyou Pass the highest point on the drive.
Interstate 5 passes through the Siskiyous at Siskiyou Pass, located just north of the Oregon/California border, and just south of Ashland, Oregon. The pass is the highest part of Interstate 5 at 4,310 ft. (1,314 m). This pass is one of the most treacherous in the Interstate highway system. The California side has a more gradual ascent/descent, but the Oregon side of the pass (the side which is more hazardous), the freeway gains (loses) 2,300 feet (701 m) in altitude over a 7-mile stretch of freeway. In addition, the pass includes several hazardous curves, and is frequently hit with bad weather (including snow, ice, and fog) during winter storms. During winter, the highway is frequently closed by transportation authorities due to hazardous conditions.

Needless to say there was plenty of snow.



This picture is taken at California exit 6 on Interstate 5.


The slope was full of natures snowmen lined up and heavy with snow.


Finally Weed, CA and Mount Shasta. Unfortunately the peak was higher than the clouds.


Lenticular cloud – lenticularis

A lenticular cloud is a cloud that is shaped like a lentil seed, lenticularis is their correct name. They form along mountain ranges and in the standing waves on the lee side of mountain ranges. They usually have very well defined lens shaped outlines and may be quite long, like a long seat cushion.


On the flank of Mount Shasta is a lesser volcano named Shastina, which erupted after most of Shasta was built. On the flank of Shastina, down at its western base, is an even smaller volcano, Black Butte. It is noteworthy because it sits right next to Interstate 5 near the town of Mount Shasta. It last erupted at the beginning of Holocene time, less than 10,000 years ago. It should be considered dormant, not extinct.


Black Butte volcano from a little closer.


In Mount Shasta City there were several of these fires that were all controlled burns probably from brush cleanup.



Well it was a nice drive and it was great seeing my big sister (the real artist) and my brother-in-law the dyed in the wool cowboy. They both look great and have been missed. Tomorrow we visit my cousin Retired bowler and her dear friend Postal woman. Can't wait to see them.

Sisters, Sisters and more Sisters

Just east of Eugene is the town called Sisters. We were up there recently on the drive through the lava fields. Well it just happens that Scrabble Queen's sister "Equine Princess" came to town sooooooo we just had to drive to the town of Sisters again. So we loaded up everyone including "Super Putter" (Big Ed) into the Musemobile and headed east.

We arrived in the town with a big appetite and headed to "Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill & Saloon" for a quick meal. The entire building was originally the Hotel Sisters built in 1912.


Looking out from the front of Bronco Billy's we see a little of the western charm of the town complete with a cow mail box.


I really liked flower pot boot with a picture of Clint Eastwood (Star of the movie Bronco Billy) in the background.


This table in the grill reminded me of the scene where Wild Bill Hickok was shot in the back while holding Aces & Eights, the dead man's hand.


This poster from the Sisters Rodeo of 1999 was pretty cool and we all liked it immediately. Unfortunately we couldn't find one in stock in the entire town of Sisters or on E-Bay.


Well the Sisters decided to shop the main drag of the town so Super-Putter and I waited in the Saloon while they shopped and I snapped away with the camera.


I liked the bandana window coverings a lot. Just the right amount of light and a nice western touch.


Even the "Dancing Girls" mural added to the rugged mountain man feel of the saloon. Actually a couple of the dancers look a little like mountain men.


There is always some humor in western towns, a very little humor in this case.


So I got bored while the girls shopped and tried the sepia tone setting on my camera to get the tree amongst the clouds.


I also used the black & white setting for this rooftop vent.


I then went back to sepia for the "El Rancho Grande" Mexican Restaurant. I really liked the contrast in this one.


I finally had to bail out the happy shoppers from the Sisters Jailhouse imprisoned for shopping without a license.


On the way back we saw a little snow on the side of the road at Santiam Pass (4817 feet).


Sahalie Falls was on the way back so made a quick stop to take some pictures and for "Equine Princess" to get a chance to see them.


To view the falls there is an easy walk on a very well maintained trail.


The girls took off on a longer hike to the top of the falls while I lingered below.


Trying to be creative I took a shot from the walkway down to the falls.

I first though this was a decorated railing until I looked closer and realized it was a decoration from Mother Nature, a leaf stuck to the railing by the rain.


One last look at the falls.



Further down the mountain we stopped to get a shot at a farmers yard art.


Super-Putter though we might want to buy this old car. We all tried to guess the make and model but not one of us knew for sure. I was holding out for a Packard or a Hudson. Ok so I looked it up and I think it is a 1947 Hudson Commodore or at least part of one.


1947 Hudson Commodore

No Scrabble with company in town (that would be impolite)