California: Day 5

Woke up at 6 to a nice view of the rising sun's orange rays shining on the mountains around the vivid blue Lake Tahoe. Two hours later, we were busy chomping on our breakfast.

Today we will spend approximately eight hours driving to Los Angeles. At one point we were approximately 2 hours away from Yosmite, wish we had more time to stop by. A sign I probably will visit California again.

Stopped at a famous restaurant, Andersen's Pea Soup. Located in the middle of no where along I-5 people come for their famous split pea soup. Had two bowls, and some fresh onion cheese bread; very delicous and filling (still full after two hours)!

Saw some dust twisters along the highway, landscape is very arrid and flat, unlike San Francisco and Tahoe area. Counted more than 95 trucks hauling tomatoes, but never saw any tomato farms along the highway.

The haze is absolutely thick as we get close to Los Angeles. We could not see the mountains that surround Los Angeles until we were approximately five to ten miles away! I feel bad for the snakes and other animals that live in these mountains.

After we got to our hotel, we went to the Santa Monica pier - saw a helicopter hovering above the water with its search lights focused on the water, seems like someone needed to be recused (and hard to be recused in the dark). Met up with Xff, Brad and his wife, and Reid to grab some dinner and drinks at the Library Ale House. Nice bar, but not good for Deaf people due to being too dark.

After that headed back to the hotel to get some sleep.