Embracing the Unexpected
Our New Year’s NorCal Road Trip started with high hopes and a full gas tank. We planned four days exploring San Francisco, Sacramento, and South Lake Tahoe. But sometimes, life throws you a curveball (or maybe a nasty bug!), and our adventure turns unexpectedly.
Hitting the Road: New Year's Eve Excitement
Leaving at 3 AM on New Year’s Eve, the excitement of our New Year’s NorCal Road Trip kept us energized. We made our usual pit stop at Vista Point, Dos Amigos Pumping Station on I-5 in Los Banos, CA – a must for stretching my legs every couple of hours. Crossing the San Francisco Bay Bridge always feels like entering a new world, and this time, we had Gio’s school friend, Quivo, along for the ride!
San Francisco: First-Time Fun and Familiar Favorites
With Gio navigating, we headed straight for Lombard Street. Seeing Quivo’s reaction to the “World’s Crookedest Street” was pure gold! It’s funny how experiencing familiar places through someone else’s eyes makes them feel brand new. We checked into our Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel and then walked to the Powell & Hyde Cable Car Turntable. By the time we boarded, it was dark, and we rode up to Hyde and Lombard – a spot we’d visited earlier, but this time, we walked down that crazy-steep hill!
The grand finale of our New Year’s Eve was watching San Francisco’s famous fireworks from our hotel balcony. We couldn’t quite make it an all-nighter, though, because…
New Year's Day on the Bay
…we had an 11 AM cruise with Red and White Fleet! Sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge, circling Alcatraz Island, and getting up close to the Bay Bridge was amazing. We even squeezed in a visit to the Presidio of San Francisco and the National Cemetery before hitting the road to Sacramento.
Sacramento: Capitol Dreams and a Sudden Setbackd a Drive to Denver
We arrived in Sacramento after dark and went straight to the California State Capitol Building to see the Christmas tree all lit up on the West Lawn. The next day, we explored downtown, met the CHP Capitol Mounted Detail on their majestic Clydesdales (photo op!), visited CalVet, and even started a guided tour of the Capitol Building.
That’s when things took a turn. I started feeling sick, and it got worse as the day went on. South Lake Tahoe and snow tubing at Heavenly Valley were calling our names, but with me feeling like I was about to pass out, we knew it was time to head home.
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The Long Road Home and Lessons Learned
The 440-mile drive felt even longer than usual. By the time we got home, I had a 102-degree fever and spent the next five days in bed. Talk about a New Year’s NorCal Road Trip I won’t forget!
This trip reminded us that even the best-laid plans can change instantly. We’re disappointed about missing out on Tahoe, but we’ll get there soon. I’m focusing on recovering and dreaming of our next adventure.
