Strange things in Clearlake, CA

TLDR: I’ve broken down twice within the same 5-mile stretch of highway 20 just east of Clearlake, CA 3 years apart in different vehicles. What gives??

Back in 2021 I bought my dream truck (94 Silverado) and that October, I drove it up to see my dad on the oregon coast. I live near Sacramento and I wanted to take highway 101 for the views so I set off early in the morning for my trip. A couple hours in I’m driving through Clearlake, CA when I notice a warning light on my dash indicating that the truck’s overheating. I pull off and let the truck cool down for a few and then get back on the road because I have no service. Once I get to town, I call my dad, and he coaches me through what to do. The gas station attendant was extremely rude to me when I asked for the water to be turned on so I could refill my radiator. She ended up never turning it on and I went somewhere else in a rage. I had to stop every hour for the rest of the trip to wait for my truck to cool and then add water before getting on the road again (busted heater core for anyone curious). I ended up making it to the oregon coast in 14 hours when it should’ve taken me 9 lol!

On my way back home through the same roads, I find myself enjoying none of the drive through Clearlake - tailgaters on windy dark roads and a spooky side-of-the-road encounter with a CHP officer who turned out to just be checking on me but freaked me out none the less.

After that week, I swore off highway 20 and Clearlake all together. I told myself I’d never drive through here again and I told everyone I knew how much this place sucked haha.

Fast forward to now, December 2024, and here I am again on a drive up to my dad’s. On recent visits, I’ve taken other roads to avoid Hwy 20, but with winter storms going crazy, I decided to once again take 101 to avoid snow. I’ve done a lot of mental work and positive thinking this year so I told myself that the most efficient way to get there was by way of highway 20 and that I was no longer the person that Clearlake attacked back in 2021. I’ve grown, I’m a new version of myself, and I attract positivity, what could go wrong?! (Yes I’m a hippie :p)

I made it to highway 20 and while it was rainy and wet and potentially treacherous, WOW what a beautiful damn drive! I mean it was gorgeous. I even saw two young elk on the side of the road that nearly brought tears of joy to my eyes! And then, 5 minutes later … I BROKE DOWN IN CLEARLAKE !!!AGAIN!!!

I don’t know how to stress this enough - this is fucking weird!!!

For anyone curious, my van’s alternator decided to stop working this time lol. And yea, VAN. I didn’t even drive my truck, I drove a different vehicle.

I couldn’t tell you exactly where I broke down a few years ago but I can guarantee that I am within 5 miles of the previous break down spot.

I mean, this is just unbelievable, y’all. Like what kind of strange fucked up shit is in the air here?? The lady who works at the business where I’m waiting for my tow even said “oh yeah you’re not the first one that’s broken down here…another woman just last weekend actually had to come in here and call for a tow” excuse me??? Lmao why is this happening all the time?!

So if you read all of this, thank you. And please if you know anything spooky about Clearlake, do share! Because there’s no fucking way this place is all good and normal. Somethin’s up… I just know it!

Side note: if you’re in the area, visit Cache Creek Vineyards & Winery! They’re remarkably kind and the wines are superb; plus they are an elk sanctuary!
And drive carefully! Lol