For the Love of Money....sort of

Well, actually, it is for the love of SAVING money.  We are now residents of the Evergreen State with Washington driver's licenses, car plates, voter registration, doctors, dentist, etc.  But California has a few extra pesky rules about who is a California resident, including one that states:  if you spend 30 days or more in California you are a California resident and must file tax returns.  And we have no intention of paying any more taxes to California....

So we must prove we are never in California for more than 30 days in a row.  And the closest place out of state is Reno, Nevado.  A dumpy little town that has almost no redeeming features, except it is not in California.

We drove to Davis and had brunch with Bryan and Michelle; then on to Reno under bright blue sunny skies.  Sure, the forecast was for a bit of rain beginning Monday.  A bit of rain at sea level means a ton of snow in the mountains.  But we didn't really grasp that proven reality of winter until we headed west on I 80.  First a few sprinkles (east of the passes).  Then a few snow flakes.  Ohhhh, how pretty.  Well then alot of snow flakes, uuummmmmm still sort of pretty.  Then the snow sticks to the hill sides; then to the road.

Finally we are in California and chain controls (or 4 WD drive) is required.  Big rigs are lined up for a mile or so; the snow is pummeling everything.  Yikes.

We made it over the pass -- there was already 8-10 inches on the ground -- 1 lane of the normally 3 lane highway was open and we slowly went UP and OVER and DOWN.  

Back to Sacramento for a brief visit with Bryan...then on to Marin...

The Season's First Winter Storm

Road Conditions