Hi, this is Weightshifting, a newsletter by Naz Hamid and Jen Schuetz, primarily about vehicular travel and exploring the American West.

This is season 2, en route from San Francisco to St. Louis. Our primary reason is to visit Jen’s family and attend a wedding. Our secondary reason is to do our now-annual fall trip, with the hope of catching the seasonal transition upon our return.

For those who signed up recently after I put the word out on Mastodon and Instagram, we’re glad you’re here. Onwards.

Day 1 of an indeterminate amount started with a leisurely morning. Usually, we get up early and go, avoiding traffic as much as possible and maximizing our camp time.

However, since today’s target was only 171 miles and three-and-a-half hours northeast, we eased into it. That said, Sunday traffic and Sunday drivers were abundant.

A quick lunch stop in Sacramento at Whole Foods (the hot bar provides), a quick rest area stop (a cigarette butts box started to heavily smoke much to the bemusement of passersby), and we finally get to dirt and the trail.

We aired down to 18 psi, which made the initial rocky bite much more palatable, and our speed increased.

Babyheads everywhere, rock gardens galore, and some technical ruts made the last four miles slow-going. It’s always hilarious to see Google Maps show five miles yet 45 minutes remaining to your destination.

After one last 4-low push, we were rewarded.

This year, being by water has been a low-key goal of mine. Whether rivers, creeks, or lakes, it’s extremely soothing and fills in for the water yearning Jen and I usually quench by traveling to Hawaii.

And this lake is a winner.

We find a cluster of spots, and given the Sunday as well as the difficulty in getting here, we have the place to ourselves.

We dip our feet. We watch the sunset. We make food. We sit by the fire.

California gold is real.