I left home later than planned after a plumbing emergency, and hit the worst traffic I've ever experienced in the Bay Area taking 5 hours to go to Rio Vista to drop the house key at Sandy and Becky's. After that it was easy but long since Yreka is a lot further than I thought from there. I tried to change my motel reservation but it was non-refundable even if I stayed in their chain somewhat closer, so I pushed on and arrived at 2am.
As I left Yreka, I met my first PCT hiker at the motel, easily recognized as such because he was carrying a bear proof container. We chatted a few minutes about our plans.
The first gas station I stopped at was out of regular, and at the second I heard (not confirmed) that Bend had already run out of gas, even though it is only Friday! I drove down into Oregon in a smoky haze most likely caused by the wildfires burning by Crater Lake. Hopefully Prairie City (where we will view the eclipse from) is far enough east that the haze will have dissipated, otherwise it does not bode well for viewing conditions.
I'm writing this while having breakfast at Shari's (a diner chain in Northern California and Oregon) with a reliable wi-fi. Next stop will be the Medford Costco to gas up, and get a jacket since I forgot to grab mine on the way out of the house. Then off to Portland 4 1/2 hours away.