LINCOLN HIGHWAY -- US 40 -- BIG BEND

Are you going to Reno or North Lake Tahoe from California? Chances are that you will use Interstate 80 between Auburn and Reno. This area is chock full of intesting history and beatiful scenery. The area between the Cisco Grove exit and Donner Pass follows the old emigrant routes. When traveling east on 80, exit at the Cisco Grove off-ramp. There is a restaurant here, but there is a better restaurant($$$) up the road.

For now, cross the freeway to the left, then turn right onto Rainbow Road. Rainbow Road traverses some beautiful scenery along the Yuba River. If you had turned left instead, there is a camping resort ahead, and to the right is a forest access road. Assuming you turned right onto Rainbow Road, a few miles up on the left is the Big Bend ranger station. Here is the Lincoln Highway museum, and one ranger specializes in area history. Across Rainbow Road is a remnat of the actual Lincoln Highway.

From the wild old lumber-town of Truckee, you can drive 15 miles west, up a big hill, to Donner Pass. If you exit at Soda Springs Road and continue west, you will be on Donner Pass Road, which roughly follows the path of the old Lincoln Highway. After passing the hamlet of Kingvale and Kingvale University, the snowplow station, you will begin to see the granite pathway of the Yuba River. After crossing under 80, continue 1 more mile.

On the left will be the Rainbow Lodge, a 1920's ski and hunting lodge. Now part of Royal Gorge Ski Area, the Rainbow Lodge is a great place for an informal drink at the beautiful bar. You can also eat in a formal restaurant, where shorts and sandal are OK at lunch, but not appropriate for dinner. This place is expensive, but I have always had a good time there.