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Day Trip to Sacramento
Jan. 28th, 2023 06:17 pmI was overdue for lab tests, and my doctor is still in the Bay Area. Palo Alto Medical Foundation is part of Sutter Health. The nearest lab to me that is open on weekends is in Auburn, but if we had to go that far, there were a couple of places in Roseville and Sacramento that we figured we could visit on an out-and-back day trip. Today was the first day we had available in a long time that was clear enough that we felt safe making a trip over the mountains and back again in one day. I decided to go to the lab in Roseville, which is open 7 AM - Noon on Saturday. In order to be sure of having plenty of time, I planned for us to leave at 4 AM.
( But First, Breakfast )
After enjoying our breakfast, we got moving at 4:30 AM. The sun doesn't rise until about 7 AM, and I reckon this portion of the trip was probably the most hazardous part, what with potentially icy conditions and some difficult keeping track of the correct lane due to the pavement markings being a little tricky to see due to snow removal having obscured them in places. But on the flip side, there was very little traffic.
( Snow Up Top )
We made it to Roseville about 8 AM, and there was hardly anyone else at the lab. I was in and out in under ten minutes. The presented a quandary: the two places we wanted to which we wanted to go today wouldn't open for another two hours. Lisa made a suggestion, and it led to us doing something we've wanted to do for a long time.
( Waylaid by an Aerospace Museum )
We only spent a couple of hours at the museum, and could have spent more, but we did want to get home (or at least back over the mountains) before dark. We may return to explore in more depth some of the museum's offerings, like their Flight Zone simulator. By now the shops we wanted to visit were open, so we moved on after I got a coffee from the museum's Old Crow cafe, named for and with decor inspired by the aircraft of WWII Triple Ace Colonel Clarence “Bud” Anderson.
There is a Ham Radio Outlet store in Sacramento. It used to be in Oakland, but relocated to Sacramento some years ago. Lisa had never visited this store. She bought a new antenna, but is still searching for the right mount for it. Now that we own the East Lot, she has more ideas for things to do radio-wise, with no danger of annoying the next-door neighbor.
Next is was back to Roseville and Railroad Hobbies. Lisa bought nothing here, but I'm a sucker for books and magazines.
( More About Tonopah )
After Roseville, we headed to Auburn, where we stopped at the Raley's grocery store and bought stuff for lunch. We initially planned to go up to the Gold Run rest area, but I had a better idea that turned out much better as it happens that Gold Run (not the same as Gold Ranch in Verdi NV) is closed for repairs.
( It's a (not very) Secret )
No trains came by while we were there, although we did see several other trains along the line both going to Sacramento and coming home.
We stopped at the Donner Summit rest area eastbound. The contrast between the pre-dawn darkness and under bright afternoon sun is striking.
( Still Lots of Snow )
We made one more stop, this time at Gold Ranch where I cashed my $7 of winning lottery tickets, but then bought $20 more because the PowerBall is up to more than half a billion dollars.
By now, Lisa, who did not get as much sleep as I did and was very fatigued, let Kuma Bear move up to the front seat of the Astro and set herself up to nap in the rear seat as I drove the remaining fifty miles home. We got home while it was still light.
( Not Much Snow Left )
I'd put a lot of wood in the fireplace before we left this morning, and there was still plenty of heat in the fireplace when I got home. I brought in more wood from the main box so that if I wish, I need go no farther than the front porch tomorrow.
All in all, it was a plenty good day, although driving 300 miles is more tiring than it used to be. I'm glad we got to see the museum, and got out for a good day away from home, which is good for our mental health.
( But First, Breakfast )
After enjoying our breakfast, we got moving at 4:30 AM. The sun doesn't rise until about 7 AM, and I reckon this portion of the trip was probably the most hazardous part, what with potentially icy conditions and some difficult keeping track of the correct lane due to the pavement markings being a little tricky to see due to snow removal having obscured them in places. But on the flip side, there was very little traffic.
( Snow Up Top )
We made it to Roseville about 8 AM, and there was hardly anyone else at the lab. I was in and out in under ten minutes. The presented a quandary: the two places we wanted to which we wanted to go today wouldn't open for another two hours. Lisa made a suggestion, and it led to us doing something we've wanted to do for a long time.
( Waylaid by an Aerospace Museum )
We only spent a couple of hours at the museum, and could have spent more, but we did want to get home (or at least back over the mountains) before dark. We may return to explore in more depth some of the museum's offerings, like their Flight Zone simulator. By now the shops we wanted to visit were open, so we moved on after I got a coffee from the museum's Old Crow cafe, named for and with decor inspired by the aircraft of WWII Triple Ace Colonel Clarence “Bud” Anderson.
There is a Ham Radio Outlet store in Sacramento. It used to be in Oakland, but relocated to Sacramento some years ago. Lisa had never visited this store. She bought a new antenna, but is still searching for the right mount for it. Now that we own the East Lot, she has more ideas for things to do radio-wise, with no danger of annoying the next-door neighbor.
Next is was back to Roseville and Railroad Hobbies. Lisa bought nothing here, but I'm a sucker for books and magazines.
( More About Tonopah )
After Roseville, we headed to Auburn, where we stopped at the Raley's grocery store and bought stuff for lunch. We initially planned to go up to the Gold Run rest area, but I had a better idea that turned out much better as it happens that Gold Run (not the same as Gold Ranch in Verdi NV) is closed for repairs.
( It's a (not very) Secret )
No trains came by while we were there, although we did see several other trains along the line both going to Sacramento and coming home.
We stopped at the Donner Summit rest area eastbound. The contrast between the pre-dawn darkness and under bright afternoon sun is striking.
( Still Lots of Snow )
We made one more stop, this time at Gold Ranch where I cashed my $7 of winning lottery tickets, but then bought $20 more because the PowerBall is up to more than half a billion dollars.
By now, Lisa, who did not get as much sleep as I did and was very fatigued, let Kuma Bear move up to the front seat of the Astro and set herself up to nap in the rear seat as I drove the remaining fifty miles home. We got home while it was still light.
( Not Much Snow Left )
I'd put a lot of wood in the fireplace before we left this morning, and there was still plenty of heat in the fireplace when I got home. I brought in more wood from the main box so that if I wish, I need go no farther than the front porch tomorrow.
All in all, it was a plenty good day, although driving 300 miles is more tiring than it used to be. I'm glad we got to see the museum, and got out for a good day away from home, which is good for our mental health.
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