Candice agreed to accompany me on my trip from Cal Nev Ari to Seattle. It’s a long drive, and I was so happy she agreed to accompany me.

Prior to the trip, I called her to let her know about Westie having a few “issues” that could leave us stranded. I assured her, that if something happened, we would rent a car and get home one way or another. Candice was a fantastic travel partner! Flexible, game for anything, curious and FUN!!! Thank you, Candice, for being my travel buddy!

I picked her up in Vegas and let her know that our first stop was the auto shop. The oil pressure sensor was acting up, so I had it replaced. It gave us an excuse to stay the night in Vegas, which is always fun.

Day 1 on the road, first south to drop off my bike at a friend’s so I would have it upon my return in one week. Then North, on a Google Map that I mistakenly had put in a destination we were not planning for. Oh well, we ended our night in Fallon, NV. (BTW: nothing in Fallon to speak of that’s very nice – especially the place we stayed).

Foggy weather engulfed us for about 50 miles along this route. At one point, a trucker passed us on the RIGHT – pushing us into the oncoming lane in fog so thick, we had our flashers on. WTF! No one was coming in the opposite direction, lucky for us, but that truck was insane!!!!

Day 2. Reno. We stopped for coffee with Audrey (my burning man boss from 2022), and a short run. Then, off to Summer Lake Hot Springs! The springs are fabulous and this place is gorgeous! Add in a full moon and it just doesn’t get better!

Day 3. On to Bend to see Alex (burner, airport manager for a couple of months before me) and a friend. His Alpaca Ranch sits above the Deschutes River and has two houses and a lovely runway!

Alex asked if we wanted to go flying in his brand-new Kodiak – YES!!!! Off we went.

As we were driving out of Bend, we had the brilliant idea of staying at Timberline Lodge on our way through. They had a room!!

Oops, the damn oil pressure sensor started going off again……we stopped at Marks Auto in Madras (a great place), and they told us to just keep going. It was a LOOOONNNNGGGG 60 miles to the Lodge, but we made it!

The next morning, the car was having trouble running. Ugh. The last thing I want now is to be stranded on the side of the road. I called UHaul and asked if they had a truck and a trailer I could put the van on. They had one 30 miles from the lodge. Yes, hold it for us. We are on the way!

We drove into the Uhaul lot, drove onto the trailer, and were on our way in less than 30 minutes. No more worry about the van dying. What a relief!

Westie is now parked at Boeing Field in my airplane parking spot. A couple of westie friends are going to see if it is capable of one more drive to my Dad’s to be put away until I can get a new engine and transmission installed.

I love Westie! I love Candice! Road trips are the best – any way you get home……safely!