Weightshifting

S2E1: Liquid Gold.

Sep 10, 2023

Close up of mildly rippling water with a tint of gold at the top gradienting down to a deep teal at the bottom.

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.

A woman in a straw hat and sunglasses looks away from the camera cast by the glow of the sunset, as she holds a small Chihuahua dog in her lap.

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.

A long shadow of a woman next to a white SUV, as the end of the day draws near.

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.

A woman is seen from the back, as she stands at the edge of a lake perched atop rocks, looking out to the distance with mountains on the shore of the other side.

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.

A white SUV with a rooftop tent open on top is seen in profile next to a fire ring, with a lake behind it, and mountains in the distance of the other shore.

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

A close-up of the shoreline of the lake with rocks at the edge.

A man is perched at the back of a white SUV getting supplied out of a portable fridge, in preparation for dinner.

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

A lone pine tree along the rocky shore of the lake stands alone, with the lake and mountains in the background.

A 50/50 photo of a lake and a mountainous shoreline zoomed in to the distance creating a contrast between the two, with golden light enveloping all.

Through the open rear door glass of the SUV, a man is looking through a drawer as he cooks dinner.

A woman takes a smiling selfie reflected in the glass of the passenger side glass window.

California gold is real.

A vertical shot of the lake and mountains across the water on the shore showing majesty in the late evening light.