On the first day of autumn, I was on my way south, riding along with the farm boss as he changed hats for business meetings in the bay area.
Driving through the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon and northern California is always beautiful-- always. These pictures are early morning on the first day of autumn and taken from the freeway in no particular order other than all in the Siskiyous.
The first snow frosted the tops of the hills, autumn colors appeared here and there. Soon this country will off and on be covered by a blanket of snow, and drivers will either negotiate the highway with traction devices or stay below until the roads are cleared.
There are road signs along some parts of the freeway indicating that section is maintained by State of Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. It is a sly reminder to those who drive past that many local residents would like to form their own state combining northern California and Southern Oregon, who both feel put upon by the larger cities in their states. Some here, however, would like to take the Pacific Northwest, which would include northern California above the Bay Area, and secede-- either joining with Canada or becoming their own sovereign nation. Remembering what happened to some southern states who thought likewise, this is more joke or pipe dream than serious ambition.
7 comments:
I love this part of the country, rain. I recognize all of these places. Roger's kids grew up in Siskiyou County, and we made the journey a few times a year.
I've wondered what it might be like for northern Ca, Oregon, and Washington to secede. I wouldn't mind being part of Canada. It seems like a much more sane place than our country these days. There was a time I felt embarrassingly privileged to be a citizen of the United States. I don't feel that anymore. I don't understand the direction our country is moving in, and I miss the sanctity of our constitution.
Those are beautiful photos. That is such a wonderful drive as long as it is not a blizzard. But those normally pass quickly if you can delay your travel by a day or two.
Popular Science had an article a couple of years ago describing what a battle between California and the US would be like with the State seizing control of some of the military installations here and the Feds attacking with what they would retain and bring in from other states. It was funny and interesting at the same time.
There has been talk about splitting the state for years, but without the economic engine of the Bay Area we would be like North Dakota or something. That may be fine with a few people but most would prefer a little more service from their government. I would love to see Southern Cal split off to their own state. It is nearly that way now but the rest of the country would never allow the California Territory to get 4 Senators instead of 2. Maybe if DC got full representation, which I am against then they would allow Calif. to split.
Oh and I am still happy to be a citizen of the US. As bad as it may seem it is still the best nation in the world. (Sorry to you folks in Canada, you are a close second.)
Those are beautiful pictures Rain, they remind just a little of the drive through Alberta into British Columbia and also of some parts of southern B.C. more southeastern I guess it would be. We on Vancouver Island are the same with the snow, off and on, more off than on. A few days and it's gone. And Ing, *lol* I feel the opposite but like you said, it's a close second and I have so many friends in the United States and I visit there more than ever before now that my folks are in Palm Desert for 4 months out of the year that it doesn't seem all that different.
Absolutely gorgeous photos, Rain. We got snow in our mountains last weekend, too.
what gorgeous vistas...captured so well, they make my heart glad. I've taken a couple of car trips through that area and it is indeed beautiful. Nice shots from the car!
Looking at the photos in your post, how unspoilt and untouched this land is. What a joy!
Spectacular photos! I felt peaceful just looking at them. What beautiful country.
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