Day 23, 4:30, As It Is Happening, Willow Creek campground, California

Ignoring Garmin's boring, often confusing, suggestions on a route to Death Valley, i turned on Google's much more interesting suggestions, depending upon your definition of interesting, that is. Those directions took me over 200 miles of unbelievably scenic, empty, two lane rough back country roads through forests, ranges, grazing grounds, ranches and the like. Unfortunately, i failed to fill up at a small town a hundred miles back and had about one gallon left when i came to the only gas station within 72 miles in any direction. Fortunately, i carry three extra gallons with me, so at 15mpg, i had enough gas to go 75 miles if that station was not there. But at $4.50 a gallon, i only got 10 gallons, so i should be ok to make it to Reno, 140 miles away, along the scenic road i will take tomorrow.

Along that scenic route, there wasn't a single campground, although i occasionally came across a National Forest Access road where you could drive on and pitch your tent anywhere. But it was not 4 pm and i had not driven my 250-mile plan for the day.

At 3:50 pm, and 218 miles, just before my "settle on something" deadline, i came across a wonderful little National Forest camp named Willow Creek. I pulled into the small, totally empty camp, took a look around and decided that this is where we would spend the night. But first i checked to see if there were other camps farther up the road, and after Garmin and Google Maps were useless, i check my Rand McNally maps and it showed one about 30 miles up the road. But since there is no internet here , i could not tell if it was open, or even if it indeed was on the same route i plan to take. And, frankly, i cannot even find out on a map where i am. (See coordinates from my Garmin.)

So it came to pass that Ed and Donner will spend the night at the emoty, remote, isolated Willow Creek camp in California. Garmin tells me it is only 759 miles to Death Valley from here, so i don't have to make up any miles tomorrow.

The first thing i do when i stop to make camp is feed Donner, and tonight was no different. Poor guy is not going to see any dogs tonight. In fact, i have not seen an animal here yet, nor have i heard any birds. Tonight will be one of this nights without a single light around for many miles. Hopefully, the full moon will help. Then we will doze off. I sure hope California does not live up to its state symbol tonight.

Ed and Donner, from the road, Willow Creek Campground