Oct 25 - Travel to waypoint on our way to Yosemite. Lotus, CA

  Our day started off very well.  The trip over to Lotus, CA, in the central part of California, southeast from Lake Shasta, and just a little north east of Sacramento, was 200 miles.  The first 180 miles was all on good, one or two lane (in each direction) highways.  Basically flat.  I was very amazed that the majority of the farm land was in orchards.  Fruit and nut orchards.  Very few vineyards.  Some cows here and there.  But mostly these huge orchards.  Very impressive.
  Then the last 20 miles was up the mountain, with 15 - 35 mph sharp curves.  It takes a lot longer to go 20 miles, when your are going that slow.  And, it takes a lot of my concentration.   
  When we arrived at our Thousand Trails campground, on the South Fork American River, we were told that the power company is shutting down the electric power tomorrow at 2 pm.  We could stay, and basically boondock --no electric, no sewer, no bathrooms.  Apparently, in progressive California, they can't seem to keep their population in electricity --we're told that it is fire conditions, and due to the lawsuit they incurred when their company was responsible for a fire, they are now taking precautions, and shutting down the system.  Throughout a large area.  For probably 3 or 4 days! 
  We are here for 3 nights, then we go on to Yosemite.  After calling them, we found that their power will be shut off, but is due to go back on Monday, the day we arrive there.  So, we decided to stay.  We plan on going up to Lake Tahoe tomorrow, so we won't be here anyways.  May even stay the night.  We'll see.
  After we decided to stay, we needed to fill up on gas, since the gas stations will not be able to pump gas without electricity.  The local station already was shut down, so we drove into Placerville, 10 miles away, up and down (you guessed it) curvy, windy, steep roads. 
  Finally, we got back, set up, and I went for a quick walk of the campgrounds, to the nice river.  It was a very delightful view, with the water rapids going by.  But it was also very dry and brown.  Nice, but I am definitely a green person.  Had a cup of coffee, sitting outside, in the 85 dry degrees.  But, at this point, I had no desire to make dinner, so we walked up to the nearby restaurant.  There were only two that were open, due to the electric issues.  Everyone is talking about the electric shutdown. 

Ponderosa RV Resort campground photos: