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nceca: am i crazy to consider driving to portland from southern ca?

updated fri 23 dec 05

 

Shula on sat 17 dec 05


Dear ClayBuds,

I've been keeping an eye on flights between LA and Portland for NCECA, but =
haven't bought a ticket yet. Over the last few weeks, the tickets seem to r=
un around $300. Sooooooooo. I'm thinking that I might drive. Not only will =
it give me flexibility - when I leave and such, but I can more easily bring=
home some "must have" items from the vendors. It's a straight shot on I-5.=
I like to drive and most recently drove across the country from Filthadelp=
hia to LA in May/June. I know my limits and pull over at a rest stop for a =
bit when I am tired. My question is, what can I expect in the weather depar=
tment between LA and Portland in March? I drive a little Toyota Celica conv=
ertible and do not have snow tires or chains (I won't buy snow tires, but I=
suppose I might consider chains if that is a good idea). I grew up in Phil=
lie and have lived in New England, so I do know how to drive in snow. It's =
just not something I particularly want to do in my current vehicle. Will I =
be taking a chance of hitting snow between here and there in March or worse=
yet, ice? Should I get more serious about buying a plane ticket? (I got a =
reservation at the Red Lion within a few days of the annoucement on ClayArt=
way back when.)

Thanks for your help.

Shula
in sunny Redondo Beach, California USA

lela martens on sun 18 dec 05


Shula,, Vince,
Now be careful. March can be one of the worst..I am allways relieved when
March is over.
Have had my tomatoes snowed over and frozen in August. You never know in
this neck of the woods. The chains are a good idea, and a cell phone, a
candle , a shovel in the trunk. But it is fairly coastal and civilized
there, so Vince might be right.
Lela

where mountain man just keeps it simple in this season with long johns,
layered jackets, woolen hat on constantly, and I am bundled in mother`s long
thick red sweater, friend who just called wearing his mother=in=laws wool
house coat, and youngest just called from Vancouver who said he was walking
around in shorts.. He enjoys being an Albertan living in Vancouver..teaches
us about sushi, laughs when it is on the national news how people on the
coast freak out with an inch of snow.
I also have a friend who likes to shovel his sidewalk of snow wearing only
shorts. MM and I have given up the stoic idea that it`s macho to
freeze..Been there, done that.
We don`t do the changing of the wardrobe here, summer season, etc.
completely a wast of time if one has anything else to do.
In Finland, before the Cosacks got rid of them, there were some who could
train a moose to ride. Thinking a good idea if one has space in their yard..
A good idea that should be thought of again in this country. But it won`t
happen here. We know what a moose is capable of.Those critters are more
dangerous than bear. Just thought I`d thow that in, for the bored at the
moment.
Sorry about any misspelling, hands cold. Reading my Louis Black book,
listening to opera, completely ignoring making dinner.
best to all

>From: Vince Pitelka
>Reply-To: Clayart
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Re: NCECA: am I crazy to consider driving to Portland from
> Southern CA?
>Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2005 14:04:44 -0600
>
>Shula -
>It is unlikely that you will encounter any problems in March. The two most
>likely spots for ice or snow would be over the Grapevine just north of you,
>and over Ashland Mountain in southern Oregon, but in March it is extremely
>unlikely that you would encounter problems in either location. If you were
>going in January there might be more of a concern. Now, have I just jinxed
>us for a late-season snowstorm in Portland? With that in mind, please take
>a big FWD vehicle with snow tires and take along chains and all the other
>conceivable fowl-weather gear. That will improve the chances of great
>weather.
>- Vince
>
>Vince Pitelka
>Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee Technological University
>Smithville TN 37166, 615/597-6801 x111
>vpitelka@dtccom.net, wpitelka@tntech.edu
>http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
>http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
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>
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Craig Martell on sun 18 dec 05


Hello Shula:

While I very much appreciate Vince's optimism it's a good idea to keep in
mind that March is still a winter month until the 22nd or so. Never rule
out the odd inclement weather events.

You'll be driving thru the Siskiyou Mountains from a bit north of Redding,
CA until you decend into Ashland, Oregon. The weather is a crapshoot in
alpine regions even in March. I've driven that route many times in winter
and it can get real dicey. The elevation at the Summit on I-5 is about 4300
ft. It's not a real high summit but enough for some frosty weather. The
good news is that there's a ton of traffic over the Siskiyous on Interstate
5 and the road crews are very good and do a heroic job of keeping the
Interstate open. You can Google "Weather Siskiyou Summit" and get several
sites to look at before you leave home. It's a good idea to have chains or
other traction devices just in case. Warm clothes, water, and snacks too.

Have a safe trip and maybe you can stop for a minute and make a snowman! 8>)

regards, Craig Martell Hopewell, Oregon

david brown on mon 19 dec 05


I just finished driving from Beaumont, TX to Seattle, WA in order to
go to school up here. If i can do that in september you can drive up
california in march ;) good luck, see you there

On 12/18/05, Craig Martell wrote:
> Hello Shula:
>
> While I very much appreciate Vince's optimism it's a good idea to keep in
> mind that March is still a winter month until the 22nd or so. Never rule
> out the odd inclement weather events.
>
> You'll be driving thru the Siskiyou Mountains from a bit north of Redding=
,
> CA until you decend into Ashland, Oregon. The weather is a crapshoot in
> alpine regions even in March. I've driven that route many times in winte=
r
> and it can get real dicey. The elevation at the Summit on I-5 is about 43=
00
> ft. It's not a real high summit but enough for some frosty weather. The
> good news is that there's a ton of traffic over the Siskiyous on Intersta=
te
> 5 and the road crews are very good and do a heroic job of keeping the
> Interstate open. You can Google "Weather Siskiyou Summit" and get several
> sites to look at before you leave home. It's a good idea to have chains =
or
> other traction devices just in case. Warm clothes, water, and snacks too=
.
>
> Have a safe trip and maybe you can stop for a minute and make a snowman! =
8>)
>
> regards, Craig Martell Hopewell, Oregon
>
> _________________________________________________________________________=
_____
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclin=
k.com.
>

Ellen Currans on mon 19 dec 05


In a message dated 12/19/05 6:08:19 PM !!!First Boot!!!, lecithin@GMAIL.COM
writes:


> I just finished driving from Beaumont, TX to Seattle, WA in order to
> go to school up here. If i can do that in september you can drive up
> california in march ;) good luck, see you there
>
>

I've lived near Portland for 40 years and with all due respect, I say, pay
attention to what Craig Martell told you. September is not necessarily winter
in the Siskiyous, but even then, you could have run into a freak storm. My
parents who drove from Washington to Arizona for the winter for many years,
always timed their drives to avoid going over the Siskiyous in bad weather. They
left in September and came home after April. This is not to say it is always
bad, just that you need to pay attention and be prepared. We have even had
snow in March before a few times that I remember. Check the road reports and
bring your chains.

Ellen Currans
Dundee, Oregon, where we had a freakish snow, freezing rain "event yesterday.

Marcia Selsor on mon 19 dec 05


I am debating on driving 900 miles across the continental divide OR
flying. It depends. Seems there are a few people asking to ride with me.
Driving in winter in the North is tricky. There are a few varied ways
to get to the coast. Lolo pass is the most direct.
Then follow the Columbia River. I love the first road trip of Spring
after a long winter. This one is predicted to be just that.
Shula, dear, if you are worried about the coast trip, try Montana!
Anyway, we're finally gonna meet after all these years.
NCECA always reminds me of the gathering of the clans. After my
Icelandic residency, it reminds me of the Althingy, the first
parliament in Europe, a real gathering of clans and where justice was
determined. Started in 900 something. AD. It is in the center of
Iceland where the two plates collide creating a gigantic chasm in the
earth's surface. It is an awesome place. Portland is much tamer than
that. I look forward to seeing old and new claybuds.
Marcia Selsor

Alyss Dorese on tue 20 dec 05


Thanks guys for all the useful information. I'm another of those
crazies planning to drive to Portland from Berkeley, CA.

I'd be happy to pick up any Clayarters along the way. Let me know.

Alyss Dorese
dorese@ix.netcom.com
www.greatpottery.com

On Dec 20, 2005, at 10:22 AM, Susan Nebeker wrote:

> Craig and Ellen have already given some very good advice to all who
> are planning on driving to NCECA here. Just want to re-emphasize
> the need to allow for some
> wiggle room on your itinerary if indeed we do get hit with a good
> storm.
>
> Winter is still a fact in March in those high elevations, though
> spring has sprung in the Willamette valley and along the coast.
>
> We travel north and south at this time of year frequently, but
> know that we might need to adjust a day or two, so as to time safe
> traveling through various problem mountain passes.
>
> Here are my favorite on-line sites to check road conditions.
> Whether you're coming from Arizona, California or Montana, they
> will be most helpful, so add them to your "Favorites" list:
>
> www.tripcheck.com (Oregon Department of Transportation's
> official website)
>
> www.shastahome.com/weather.htm
>
> Hope that helps, and happy traveling!
>
> Susan Nebeker
> Canby, Oregon
> Pollywog Pottery
>
>
>
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> ______________________________________________________________________
> ________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
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>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.

Alyss Dorese
dorese@ix.netcom.com
www.greatpottery.com

nsmheralds@netzero.net on thu 22 dec 05


Another thing you can do is take US 101 up the coast. It's longer, both=
in distance and time, but enables you to all but avoid snow and ice.
Another route that will enable you to avoid Siskiyou Summit would be to =
take US 97 from Weed through Klamath Falls and north across the volcanic=
plains east of the Cascades. Then you can take I-84 west through the C=
olumbia River Gorge and into Portland. You may find this to be quite sc=
enic, as things will be green and there may be early wildflowers in bloo=
m.
Nathan Miller
Thistillium Pottery
Newberg, OR
=