Our final day started early as we left the camp at 6am for the ancient Mariposa Sequoia grove 90 minutes away to the south. These trees are truly magnificent and it is hard to contemplate their age. One showed signs of fire damage that was 1,800 years old (the Romans were on Hadrian’s Wall) so how old was the tree? Back to Hodgdon Meadow to break camp and clean up the equipment before the final leg into San Franciso started at 11.30am. On the way I thought I saw a bear but this could easily be wishful thinking.
The forest soon fell away to be replaced by rounded scrub covered hills separated by deep valleys. The wider valleys contained spreading grounds and flood control dams just like the video I’ve been showing students for the last 16 years.
Dropping below 1,500 feet for the first time in ages the temperatures rose and the smell of dust and tarmac began to penetrate the van. The hills became increasingly parched in appearance and reminded me of the Adelaide Hills when we visited in 1979. Eventually, cultivated land began to appear with what I imagine were freshly planted potato crops ridging p the brown soil. There were plenty of cattle but most were contained in huge feedlots and the land was used to raise their fodder. In places maize looked to be at least a month away from harvest so I assume that two crops a year must be a common occurrence in this area. The maize itself was much more closely planted than in the north.
The land became as flat as the Fens and irrigation channels watered the whole area. Palm trees were spotted and many properties were surrounded by eucalyptus trees. WE stopped at Modesta for lunch where Rick introduced us to the wonders of an ‘In and Out Burger’. This is a small family owned operation along the lines of MacDonald’s with their own special added ingredients of quality and the special recipe. I had a double burger, mustard fried, protein style and fries with a 7-up. This means that I had two patties with cheese. Mustard is spread on the grill before the burger is fried and the whole lot is wrapped in lettuce rather than a burger bun. It was rather good and excellent value at just over $6.
We pushed westwards and eventually a range of brown hills thickly covered with windmills came in sight. No problems with planning permission here!
Finally, it was possible to make out San Francisco Bay with the hills beyond and the low cloud/fog rolling in under the Golden Gate Bridge. Coming in over the Oakland Bridge the city looked as impressive as it does in films and on the many TV programmes that are based on the city. Rick dropped us all at the hostel where I’m picking up the next tour which made things very easy for me. We exchanged addresses and dispersed; it seems strange that after three weeks in such close proximity things can come to such an abrupt end. In all, we covered some 4,800 miles.
In the hostel I discovered that I am no longer the only one on the next tour. I was sharing a room with three young ladies; two Swiss and one Australian! I can remember a time when this would not have seemed a bad thing but I thought that we all deserved a good night’s sleep and have transferred to a single room. I’ve survived three weeks on the road and look forward to the many highlights that the next tour will bring.
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