Chapter 522

Nothing unexpected happen, so the next morning we’re back on our way, same as every day. As Santa Cruz falls behind us, the highway starts to become much more like it was during the first part of our trip, though not so high above the ocean, which is frequently visible through gaps in the trees and hillocks to the west.

We can also see a wall of heavy gray clouds looming on the horizon. The dark clouds look like the front edge of an approaching storm. The wind has freshened from the northwest as well, another sign that the good weather we’ve enjoyed so far may be about to change. Other than to make sure our plastic rain ponchos are near the top of our packs for quick availability, there’s nothing we can do about it, so we trudge resolutely northward.

If we continue at our present pace, Dad says we’ll arrive in San Francisco in three more days. That will give us two days to spare, which is just about ideal. We’ll have time to scout the area