On Friday night the half Moon was to set around 00:30, so my plan was to drive to the Anza site, set the camp, catch a few hours of sleep and observe early morning. I did my homework: all weather apps promised clear night and Anza webcam showed blue sky. So, it was a go. I have arrived to blue sky, set the scopes under blue sky, had dinner and went to sleep under clear sky. However, when I woke up around midnight high clouds were all over the sky. In disbelieve I have opened the Clear Outside
At least the morning was nice and cool, and I had a nice breakfast. I did not check traffic (it is Saturday morning after all) and took my usual route home through Temecula. But 30 miles later in Temecula the streets were clogged with cars. What’s going on?! I have managed to reach the freeway 15 entrance, but it was blocked completely by police. Later I found out that there was a nasty crush on the freeway. Obviously, all people turned away were flooding alternative routes, I was lucky to get out of traffic and decided to drive back to the Anza site and consider my options. It will take a few hours for traffic to clear, I may as well stay for another night. However, the weather apps have shown full overcast with some rain – no thank you!
I investigated alternative routes home and managed to plot one completely avoiding I-15 and other obvious roads. Extra 30 miles and mostly back roads but should be no traffic. That drive was not bad. Me and my truck on scenic route through deserts, mountains, mesas, and forests. “Country roads, take me home to the place I belong!”