Mustanging in the Sierra Nevadas

TRIP STATS
Route: Los Angeles, Calif. to Yosemite National Park (Round Trip)
Total Distance Driven: 624 miles (312 each way)
Road Trip Vehicle: 2008 Bullitt Mustang
Average MPG: 21.6
Average Speed: 63 mph
Total Seat Time: 12 hours and 45 minutes
Road Trip Photo Gallery

I look forward to road trips in my Mustang. Anyone who’s ever owned one knows the car was made for exploring the open road. In May, with summer on the horizon and blue skies above, I loaded up my Bullitt with one thing in mind: Leave the congested city of Los Angeles for a mid-week getaway to one of nature’s most photogenic locations; Yosemite National Park.

The week before my trip had been packed full of meetings, phone calls, and numerous business dinners, complete with all the niceties. Deadline after deadline, and a slew of unexpected schedule changes, left little time for planning. Being the consummate multitasker, I set aside a few moments each day to map out my route, arrange stops, and coordinate camping arrangements. According to my well crafted plan, the evening before the trip had been reserved for packing, planning, and sleep. As luck would have it, I deviated from the course, just a bit.

Two days before the trip I received word my friend Wes would be in town for one night only, performing at the Fox Theater in Pomona, Calif. Wes is the keyboardist for the New York rock band Coheed & Cambria. No doubt, the guys put on an amazing show. Of course, when all was said and done, I found myself on the group’s tour bus at 1:30 a.m. in the morning, catching up, making friends, and wondering if I’d ever get any sleep before my 6 a.m. wakeup call. Looking back, I should have been deep within a dream. I wasn’t. At 2 a.m., just as fast as it had pulled into town, the tour bus and I parted ways. Unlike the movie “Almost Famous”, I got off the bus. As Wes and his crew rolled on to San Francisco, I made my way back to the west side of Los Angeles where a nice, warm bed was waiting.

I pulled into my driveway around 2:30 a.m. The entire street was silent. My initial thought was, “Wow, what a long day.” Then it occurred to me. “I should load up the Mustang before I go to sleep. It’ll save time in the morning.” I put my key in the slot, opened the front door, and began loading up the car. I loaded the tent, sleeping bag, and other related camping gear into the Bullitt; the stars bright above, my neighbors sound asleep. As I put the final bit of gear in the car, my wife called from across the house, “Are you coming to bed? What’s going on out there? Do you know it’s almost 3 a.m. in the morning?” Oh, I knew alright. My body wouldn’t let me forget. And with that, I locked the doors, made my way down that long hallway, and fell sound asleep in my warm comfy bed.

Around 6:30 a.m. the sound of the alarm clock jolted me from a nice dream. It was a good dream. I had just purchased a 1965 GT350 Shelby racer, Wimbledon White with optional Guardsman Blue Le Mans stripes. Ole’ Shel and I were out for a ride. So much for the dream. I pulled my tired body from the bed and made my way to the kitchen where I started a fresh pot of coffee. My wife, who had already left for work, had set aside a few items for the road. Water, snacks, and some breakfast. I showered, threw on some clothes, grabbed the sack of goodies, and made my way to the car. After a quick pre-road trip inspection (tires pressure, tread, fluids, etc.), I was on my way.

Traffic along the 101 wasn’t too bad for a Wednesday morning. It was stop and go in a few spots, but hey, what’s new? By 7:15 a.m. I had made my way onto the 405 north. Traffic on the other side of the freeway looked daunting. Traffic in my direction was moving smoothly. By 7:30 a.m. I watched Los Angeles slowly fade away in my rear-view mirror.

There was nothing but open road ahead as I cruised up the I-5 Freeway past Santa Clarita and Gorman. I made a quick stop in Lebec for some breakfast and fuel. Then I made my way through the California “Grapevine” mountain pass. Magic Carpet Ride, by Steppenwolf, played in the background as I shifted down to fourth while making my way up the steep incline. The Bullitt Mustang hummed as I stepped on the gas, its exhaust making sweet Mustang sounds. Somewhere near Wheeler Ridge I eased her into fifth and admired the view.

It was near Mettler, Calif. that the road really opened up. Although tempting, I keep the Bullitt within the legal limit. It was here, back on September 30, 1955, that Hollywood Legend James Dean was pulled over for speeding on the last day of his life. I continued north on the 99, passing through Bakersfield, Tulare, and Fresno before merging onto CA-41 N towards Yosemite.

A short time later, the highway narrowed into two lanes. I passed through several small towns, including Coarsegold and Deadwood Peak. I even passed Bass Lake Road, which, for those John Candy fans out there, will take you to the location where “The Great Outdoors” was filmed. I eventually stopped for a break in Oakhurst where I filled my tank one last time before entering the park. Then it was north past Fish Camp, into Yosemite and all its splendor.