A fine adventure that did not follow the script. Up and out early to meet in some low California hills west of lake Berryessa for a lesson in survival-useful rock collecting. The predicted rain looked to let up at about the time we would reach the meeting spot.
It did stop raining - because it began slowing! A little heavy, wet snow began sticking to the road when we were about 30 minutes out from the meet spot. A novelty on the side of the hillsides, then a little roadside accumulation and upper side piles on bare branches and inanimate objects, then more, and more.
Initial flow of traffic speeds in the 50's, dropped to the 40's, and then the 30's and cars began leaving long, defensive distances between themselves. We began a point-of-no-return debate and looking for a place to turn around without success as we went through the last narrow canyon.
As we neared our destination, we were driving through snow and slush with tire-created "clear lanes" in about an inch plus of sloppy wet slush and snow. Speeds in the teens to 20's became the rule as we went up and over the last small ridge.
Of course, our vehicle was a small 2-wheel drive SUV that never sees the snow, so no snow tires or chains. Both my passenger and I had lived for years back East and fancied ourselves cautious and somewhat experienced with these conditions.
We had decided to check in with our leader and turn around to drive out before much more snow, slush, ice, etcetera, accumulated. There was no cell signal even for text messages.
We arrived about 20 minutes early, the snowfall slowed to almost nothing. We waited until 15 minutes after the appointed meet up time. We drove back toward home with caution and had no driving incidents.
I did stop roadside in a low, clear valley to pick one of a bunch of large mushrooms growing just off-road. A non-edible but handsome Lactereis. We also noted spots where there were ripe Toyon berry bushes for later return.
A fine New Years' Day adventure in sunny California!
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