A Change in Scenery
Kinda. To my disappointment, there was still a lot of dirt but in the western part of Arizona creeping into California, the hills turned into mountains. And, they were getting closer. As I mentioned in my previous post, all highways are not created equal nor are they as nice as the ones I’ve traveled in Texas. As soon as I passed California’s inspection quiz, the interstate got all rumbly and the shoulders got all non-existant. I will give kudos to California for having separate truck lanes when there were elevation inclines as well as call boxes in case you get stranded in Nowheresville, California.
Don’t Tell My Mom
Speaking of, I broke my rule about filling my gas tank often because I have Mobil/Exxon gift cards so I held out, hoping to find a Mobil since they are more of them in Cali than Arizona or New Mexico. I started sweating a little, picturing myself broken down in the desert with no shoulder to park or lean on. Thankfully, I found one. And that’s where I met Yannic and Leo.
Here’s where most of you freak out: I’ve picked up hitchhikers before. I can count the number of times on my hand but I know, I know, I’m a small gal and all sorts of creepy things happen to small gals. So, when I saw them standing by the intersection next to the gas station, the debate in my head began. They looked so much like the hipsters in Denton and I watched them for a good 15 minutes while making it look like I wasn’t watching them. They had huge backpacks, two jugs of water, and held up a sign that said MERCED. I checked Google Maps and noticed it was on my way. I sat and watched some more. Finally, when one of them left to go across the street, I made my move.
“So, what’s in Merced?”
“We’re going to Yosemite Park.”
And as soon as the wavy blonde headed dude spoke, I knew that I would break yet another rule. The accent did it. These German boys needed a ride and I told them to hop in. Within a few minutes, I felt completely at ease and knew my pepper spray would live to see another day unused.
Of course, I asked them where they were from, how they ended up in the states, and how they have been making their way from Los Angeles to Seattle. Couch surfing. The very same web site I used to find a place to stay a few days before was their livelihood, their means of surviving nine weeks in the U.S. They put their faith in hitchhiking and couch surfing, and with the help of complete strangers, they were making good time as they still had a month to get up to Seattle.
We spent part of the 90 minute drive talking, sharing our travels (Leo had been traveling through Mexico before making his way to the U.S. Yes, couch surfing through Mexico!!!!!!!WOAH!) and how they could speak multiple languages but Americans only seem to know the words “Nazi,” “Hitler,” and “Scheiße.” When my iPod starting playing Bright Eyes, Yannic’s eyes lit up and said that was his favorite band. It’s true, I later noticed he was wearing a Bright Eyes shirt. We spent the rest of the drive gawking at the beautiful, lush hills and valleys that emerged from the desert.
Yannic the Bright Eyes fan
Leo the German that speaks better Spanish than English
Since I let them know I was headed to Yosemite the next day, I worried they would want to stay at my hotel with me. However, when I reached Bakersfield, they simply asked if they could ride with me to Yosemite in the morning. When I checked in my hotel and saw how huge it was and that I could have fit them in, I felt a little bad but man, I’m not that crazy! 
Plus, this was supposed to be my day to relax.
Texas is Alive and Well in California
After the long drive, I just wanted a beer and dinner then I wanted to go to bed early so I could be fully rested. My body was still sore from the Grand Canyon, too. So, using Yelp, I found a place within a stone’s throw of the hotel that had high reviews and served beer. I didn’t read anything else past “chicken fried steak” and “beer.” So, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace it was.
When I walked up to it, I knew I should have turned around and settled for Arbys next door. But, chicken fried steak! And beer! When I walked in, I could hear the music. Live music. Live country music. Then, they opened the doors to the dining area and I was magically transported to Texas. Cowboys hats. Boots. Line dancing. Two steppin’. Young girls were oogling over Brett Eldredge who was the free entertainment for the night.
Yes, Californians line dance.
Aside from the Voluptuous Blonde Ale I drank, I found myself chained to Texas as my server was never to be found and the food, although large in quantity was low in quality. I know my chicken fried steaks and Yelp, that wasn’t the best I’ve ever had. However, I did have a good laugh at the fact that out of all the places in Bakersfield, California, I picked Texas.
The night ended with work which was annoying but a little necessary. Then, finally, sleep.
Day 4 Stats:
Miles traveled: 490
Total miles traveled: 1, 713
Hours traveled: 9
Total hours traveled: 33
Pit stops: 4
Sights seen: 0 but don’t Germans count?
Weather: Windy but not as windy, 65-80F
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