22/7: Sunday afternoon, we started on our way east. According to Google, the fastest way from Santa Barbara to Sequoia National Park was to go south on 101, and then just north of Los Angeles turn east and continue onto Interstate 5. What we didn’t think of was that Sunday afternoon on 101 meant all the returning weekend traffic from the coast resorts to Los Angeles. The traffic was crazy. I’ve never seen anything like it (but then again, I’m no authority on traffic).
This was as close as I got to Los Angeles. It was a relief when we finally got to turn west. And there, we were met by this sign. Seriously, towns in the States have the oddest names. Piru means devil in Finnish.
I-5 was an experience in itself. Four to six lanes, up over the mountains and then down into Central Valley. The picture (taken by mom, with my instructions) doesn’t make the sight justice. It is extreme, how the landscape goes from mountains to completely flat plateau. As the geographer I am, I’m amazed.
After almost five hours of non-stop driving, we reached Visalia, our home for the night. I had by accident booked a slightly too expensive motel room, but it sure felt wonderful to lay down on my own king sized bed. I slept well that night.
Katja Malmborg 