Heading North in California

California has a population nearly the same as Canada (about 35 Million). A radio commentary said that it produces 50% of the food supply needs of the whole of the US. As we drive north the scale of the agricultural activities is amazing. Everything is on a huge scale – whether it be vegetables near the Mexican border or further up nuts, fruit, olives, grassland for hay, and cattle feed lots – everything is vast. One is also conscious of the need for irrigation. Californians are relieved that the seven year drought has come to an end but whether this is enough to solve the ongoing water needs (a large proportion is for agriculture) remains to be seen.

We have been driving up interstate I 99 before joining I 5 at Stockton. Each night we try and stop at a Passport America site where you pay only 50% of the regular rate. Some of the sites are a bit “grotty” but once we are set up we are able to enjoy our “glamping” (glamorous camping) in comfort and sometimes accompanied by a Gin and Tonic. We tend to fuel up at Flying J/Pilot truck stops where you get a discount for being members of Good Sam.

California is pushing back on Donald Trump’s immigrant policies. One commentator said that the national government needs to learn from the history of California’s racism and xenophobia and how over the years California (like Canada) learned to assimilate foreigners. There are safe haven cities in California where undocumented immigrants by law will not be sent home. Of course much of Southern California depends on Mexican labor in the farming community and in the service sector.  

We were in Lodi on Friday February 3^rd. There was a forecast of a major weather system coming in from the pacific with snow at higher levels. Even Vancouver BC is forecasting snow again to-day. We will progress slowly north and plan to be in Redding to-night. From there there are excellent web cam views of I 5 and of hourly reports of road conditions. The Siskiyou pass just south of Ashland is at 4,300 feet. We might get delayed in Redding which is two hours south of Siskiyou pass. One day at a time. Still planning to be back in Victoria Thursday February 9^th.