Detour

Benjamin Franklin said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." I'd like to add one more certainty to the list: road work.

For several weeks now, Downey has been in the process of sealing the existing asphalt roads. This process of adding a layer of what looks like oily sludge over the existing asphalt extends the life of the roads and helps prevent potholes.

It also closes the road for a day.

The long and winding road

After my long weekend up north, I headed home on the 5 freeway.

Not too long into my drive, I learned the interstate was snowed in at the Grapevine and my alternate, Highway 58, was also closed (due to weather conditions) at Tehachapi. My only option left was to head west and find a road that would get me over to Highway 101.

I ended up on the CA-33 that took me through tiny towns I've never heard of and past this quaint property filled with fun relics.


After driving through a fair amount of desert, I ended up in the mountains behind Ojai, where there was enough snow to require a snow plow, but luckily for me, no road closures.

It was a long drive home, but it was also a reminder that sometimes the journey holds adventure and beauty despite the unanticipated detours we encounter.