Heading South To Escape The Wildfires (Hot springs & Ghost Towns)

Travel vibe / setup

• Road trip in a self-converted 2001 Ford E250 with a cat named Lars.
• Traveling from Bend, Oregon toward California, with a friend focused on camping + hot springs.

Quick stops + practical planning

• Gas strategy
  • Stop for fuel before crossing into California because gas prices may rise.
  • Avoid paying a very high local price (friend reported $7 gas where she was staying); fill up earlier instead.
• Truck stop routine
  • Grab a quick bite, clean the windshield, and give Lars a treat.

Hot springs routine (experience + repeat visit)

• After a short rough access road, they reach the hot spring area for night soaking.
• Hot springs “rate it” moment (night): 8.5/10
• Soak duration: 3+ hours the first night.
• Morning plan
  • Soak again in the morning for incredible mountain views.
  • Bring gear for coffee: French press + water + camp stove, plus a snack.

Coffee + snack pairing

• Purchase at a gas station: a Cinnabon
  • They held it back from the prior day, since eating it earlier might have made them feel bad.
• Morning “camp coffee” method
  • Make black coffee with the cinnamon roll.
  • They note you don’t need extra sweet coffee with something already sweet.
• While soaking/at setup: they mention ants approaching the cinnabon.

Town sightseeing: “Ghost Town of Bowie, California”

• They explore a small historic/ghost-town area called Bowie, chatting with locals/visitors.
• Town lore / creepy hypothetical
  • One resident allegedly lives alone during winter.
  • If heavy snow trapped them, food/supplies would be helicoptered in.
  • A church bell in that scenario could be unnerving.
• Enthusiastic “what it could become” ideas
  • Restore buildings and potentially turn parts of the town into:
    • A functioning community
    • A school (joking about Pre-K through 12th grade)
    • A recording studio/content lounge and community spaces
  • Fictional rules for social behavior:
    • Ban bullying/racism/assault; offenders get removed from town

Food stop + recommendations

• They visit Rhino’s Bar and Grill
  • Friendly service (server named Leland).
  • They receive a free piece of pie/cake after discussing kombucha.
  • Food is described as good and recommended.

Notable product/gear mentions

• French press and camp stove for coffee at the hot springs.
• Magnetized lights (color-changing) for van/hot-tub vibes (not confirmed waterproof, but they stay magnetically).

Notable locations / references

• Bend, Oregon (Blockbuster nostalgia stop)
• Blockbuster Video (noted as the last remaining one)
• Klamath Falls, Oregon (Love’s gas stop)
• Reno, Nevada (overnight route gas update)
• Bridgeport, California (hot springs with snowcapped mountain views)
• Bowie, California (ghost town)
• Rhino’s Bar and Grill (burger/food stop)

Notable people / characters / speakers

• Host: Teao
• Friend: Annette
• Locals/visitors mentioned while touring:
  • Isaiah (YouTube connection)
  • “Old Man Tucker” / other House-on-Prairie-style references
• Cat: Lars