"No! That's a scary cliff road!"
That's what Mr. Scary Road Informant said when I explained how I'd avoid the scary Mount Shasta I-5 South Pass, after trembling on its windy cliff roads when I drove north from California to British Columbia.
I'd told Mr. Scary Road Informant,
"I'll simply take 1-5 South from Eugene to Grants Pass to 199 to Crescent City to 101, and avoid I-5 South that cuts through Shasta, and instead see the stunning Redwood National Forest. Sure, it'll make the trip longer but it will be worthwhile and not scary."
"No! No!," bellowed Mr. Scary Road Informant.
"That's a scary cliff road! You may have a heart-attack. You can't fit two cars in the narrow two lane road overlooking the steep cliff! You might fall over!"
Not the reaction I'd hoped for.
"I was told it's a safe beautiful drive," I said with hope. "There are no scary sections."
Mr. Scary Road Informant wasted no time in responding.
"I've been there and I'm never going back!"
"Well, what's my alternative? I heard driving south through Shasta is worse than driving north because of the Siskiyou Mountains. I barely made it going north. I thought a trucker would get out of his truck and bop me for going so cautiously slow."
Mr. Scary Road Informant rushed in, "Indeed! The Siskiyous are worse than Shasta because of all the curves and elevation, which is very very high."
"Does Siskiyou mean scary and hellish?" I inquired.
"Probably," Mr. Scary Road Informant said. "It's a nightmare in certain weather conditions."
And therein lies my problem.
The weather forecast beginning Monday is rain possibly all week, maybe all month, all season!
Anyone want a ride to California? If you drive, I'm flexible when we leave Eugene or Ashland, Oregon.
I drive a comfortable Lexus loaded with shoes and outdoorsy equipment so you'll have to travel light but the car is safe, quiet and comfortable. I can tell you good stories while you drive through the mountain passes.
Naturally, my eyes will be closed.
Update After Scary Drive: I took I-5 South through Mt. Shasta and it was not scary. North route may be scarier or I may have become braver. Not sure which.
Important Take-Away: Beware of Scenic Route signs, many times they are code for Scary Road. Check 'em out first by asking around.
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