Beating the heat

Rt 299 West

Wednesday, June 1st
Burney, CA to Redding, CA

Gotta travel early when temperatures are cool. 5 am light. Gradual thaw from 40 F. 6 am ride.

Easy downhill most of the trip with enough uphills to gently remind me there is no free lunch. Rt 299 all the way.

All the cows huddled under the shade of the same tree.
So cute!

The road opened up on all sides overlooking a valley below. I sat up on my seat to survey my territory. Wind carried me down the road.

I forgot that my wheels were touching the ground. This must be how a bird feels. "I'm flying, Jack!" Or also a man in a hang-glider, on the front of jeep.

Previous evening camp

Outside a small study center for Shasta community college. High school across the parking lot.

Outdoor electrical outlet, picking up WiFi from the college building.

This is a full-service town in every sense, it seems. The ladies at McDonald's were extra chipper, and a friendly Native American outside the casino gave me tips where to camp.

I didn't realize the building was open when I got there at 9 pm. There was a single staff member inside. I ducked off into the shadows at 9:30 pm when the building closed and came back around 10:30 pm after the person drove away.

Many cars drove past me from the high school without stopping. By the tenth car, I was sure it would be a policeman asking me to vacate the premises. Nope, maybe just kids romping around at night.

Slept on the lawn by the college building. LOL. I was so surprised that not one of the many people who saw me asked me to leave. In the morning, I circled behind the high school and saw the basketball court covered in fresh graffiti, courtsey of seniors 2016.

Redding, CA

The midday heat cooked Redding to 100 F. But I wore jeans and winter hoodies inside the frigid A/C of Shasta college. Wow, am I glad I got into town at 11 am before temperatures rose above 85 F.

Pretty much same all week. This place is hot. 65 F low at night. Meanwhile, my destination San Diego is 65 F during the day. I might make a run for it when the sun's not looking.