Heading North West via the southern route

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by rasorinc, Feb 21, 2014.

  1. rasorinc
    Joined: Nov 2007
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    Location: OREGON

    rasorinc Senior Member

    Hi all, moving back to Oregon after 4 years in Tennessee getting to know my 2 grand kids here. Have a Grandson in Oregon I want to spend more time with. I also miss the west coast. Driving the southern route #40 to # 99 in California than north over to I-5 and up to Portland. A little more than 3,000 miles and My van is way heavy. About 500 pounds are boat frames and a very heavy complete transom. Do not look forward to the drive but I do look forward to getting back (HOME). Can't wait to breath some north west salt air.


    I will be offline for about 2 weeks. Many thanks to all who assisted me with my questions. Stan
     
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  2. messabout
    Joined: Jan 2006
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    Location: Lakeland Fl USA

    messabout Senior Member

    Best of luck with your transition to a different world. Portland having a wee bit different cultural makeup than Knoxville. The mountains are taller too.

    Be safe with all that driving.
     
  3. Ike
    Joined: Apr 2006
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    Location: Washington

    Ike Senior Member

    I did much the same. Spent 20 years working in Washington DC and living in Virginia. When I retired I moved back to Washington (state). While the rest of the country is buried in ice and snow, we have had a lot of rain and temps have been in the 40's. Boating here is a lot different than the Chesapeake.

    Welcome home
     
  4. Petros
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    Location: Arlington, WA-USA

    Petros Senior Member

    I enjoy long cross country road trips. this time of year can have give you some spectacular scenery along the way, but can also get you caught in nasty ice storms.

    Check your weather and road conditions each morning and each evening along your intended route. sometimes hanging out a day or two waiting for better road conditions will save a lot driving stress and hazards, and often will not lose you any time. getting stuck in your van far from a hotel or restaurant when the roads are iced over and it is -8 def F is not pleasant.

    Last November we drove from N. Carolina to Florida, than New Orleans, than to Los Angles, than back home to Seattle area. In Texas we spent an extra day in a hotel because of icy roads, next day along our route we saw the wreckage of 8 pile-ups with semi-tailor rigs, one that involved 15 passenger cars and trucks, and several semi trailers. Eight people were killed that day in those pile ups while we were relaxing in the hotel for an extra day after I check the road conditions that morning.
     

  5. Ike
    Joined: Apr 2006
    Posts: 2,677
    Likes: 477, Points: 83, Legacy Rep: 1669
    Location: Washington

    Ike Senior Member

    On I-5 from California to Portland Or. the only real bad spot this time of year is Siskiyou Pass. 4,310 feet, highest point on I-5. It is right on the border, has a long grade up, and a long grade down and can be really treacherous. If going south in my Motorhome I usually go before the end of October and wait until March to return. I once spent a week in Redding waiting for weather to clear at the pass. So check the pass conditions before you get there. http://www.tripcheck.com/pages/rcmap.asp?curRegion=7

    In southern California, Tehachapi Pas is the high point, about 4000 feet. If you are into trains, the Tehachapi Loop is one of the hottest train spotting places in the US. The road can be bad in bad weather, but usually it is clear and dry. But check the road conditions http://www.localconditions.com/weather-tehachapi-california/93561/traffic.php

    Oh yeah, California has restrictions on some fruit being brought into the state and they have border check points. They will ask if you have any fruit. They aren't looking for the orange in your lunch. They are looking for large quantities.

    PS: Switch from 99 to I-5 before you get to Stockton, and then back to 99 after you leave Sacramento. 99 is a nightmare from Stockton to north of Sacramento.
     
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