Having turned away from the traffic jam on 20, we drove back the few miles to I5. We’d intended to skip this highway since we’d driven it before and wanted to take new roads. Well, we figured, we’d still take a new road.
Just up 5 is the town of Red Bluff. Heading west from there is highway 36, which goes through the mountains. Or over, depending on your point of view. We looked at a map, thought “sure, we can stop atPlatina for the night and cross over in the early morning.”
Heh.
We should probably have stopped in Red Bluff, which seemed to be a charming little place with hotels, restaurants, local color, all on display as we cut through it and boldly set out on 36.…