Current Location: Reno, Nevada
Today’s Song: Kathleen Edwards – Goodnight California
This is such a great song that sets up a nice groove. This is another case where the emphasis is less on the song lyrics and more evocative of the feeling of driving through the Central Valley and up into the Sierra Nevadas.
I started the day in Manteca, California, heading out north on California 99 to Carson Pass Highway. It’s a good hour just to get to the mountains, but the loom ahead of you the entire time and provide a lovely backdrop and contrast to the flat farmlands all around you.
Then it was into the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and wow, that is just spectacular. The road goes up, up, up from the valley to Carson Pass.
Beautiful views crossing over Carson Pass in the Sierra Nevadas (elevation 8,550 feet). pic.twitter.com/KWGLClYCN6
— That Husky Guy (@DuncanDaHusky) July 17, 2017
The geology of the area is quite unique, as my friend Neowolf pointed out. It provided a nice place to take a break and enjoy the view.
Taking it all in. pic.twitter.com/b48FIEB0er
— That Husky Guy (@DuncanDaHusky) July 17, 2017
There are some interesting-looking resorts up there, and I am sure that the skiing is pretty impressive as well…providing you can get to the resorts. I saw a lot of “Chains Required” signs waiting to be used and Ford mentioned that the drive can get quite exciting, what with the avalanche risk and all.
After the hours of mountain driving, it was time for a stop in South Lake Tahoe for lunch and an opportunity to enjoy the local brews.
A little reward for all that mountain driving 🙂 (Cold Water Brewing in South Lake Tahoe) pic.twitter.com/vfijWBo3uP
— That Husky Guy (@DuncanDaHusky) July 17, 2017
The trip out of the mountains from there was surprisingly quick, though the views were quite impressive descending down the eastward slopes.
Coming down on the other side of the Sierra Nevada's. pic.twitter.com/5aoO7SSJzU
— That Husky Guy (@DuncanDaHusky) July 17, 2017
I checked into my hotel in Reno (a Hyatt Place, the first of a long line of Hyatts this week – all free! ????). On my friend Rifka’s advice, I sought out one of the local breweries before dinner to check out their offerings. They were all quite good!
At @rifkafox’s suggestion: (Top to bottom) El Hefe Hefeweizen, Outlaw Milk Stout, Bitchin’ Berry, and Mayan Maybe Not. pic.twitter.com/M5PpkuoIr4
— That Husky Guy (@DuncanDaHusky) July 18, 2017
Then it was off to meet Tyco and a bunch of other staff from Biggest Little Fur Con, a convention that started just a few years ago here and quickly blew up into 5,000 or more attendees.
I'm here! Where all the furries? pic.twitter.com/upnGD50aAs
— That Husky Guy (@DuncanDaHusky) July 18, 2017
Dinner was lovely and the opportunity to chat with these good folks was welcome. They’re a damn smart bunch, and the convention has a good organization behind it. After dinner Tyco was kind enough to provide a tour of the Grand Sierra Resort’s convention facilities with some background on how the space is used and the convention’s relationship with the hotel. After seeing all of this I am not remotely surprised the convention has grown as quickly as it has. The GSR is an ideal venue for a furry convention! I definitely hope to attend next year.
Tomorrow it’s back on the road for the long drive to Salt Lake City, Utah. This is a part of the country I have never seen before so I look forward to seeing some new terrain.
Miles Driven Today: 215 miles
Time Driving Today: 5:11
Total Miles Driven: 3,029 miles
Total Time Driving: 68:16