We had to do a few repairs to the motorhome over the last month or so, but those are complete, and we set about preparing to hit the road. After so long a time, every move had to be thought through with care so that we didn't forget anything! After a couple of days, we had most of the preparations done, and left the homestead on January 16th. One of our New Year's Goals was to relax a bit while traveling and drive shorter distances, having more time to enjoy the scenery. Accordingly, we only drove 155 miles that first day, more to find our sea legs than anything else. We stopped for the night in the quaint little burg of Santa Nella, CA, best known for Anderson's Pea Soup restaurant and the dozen or so truck stops scattered between the two exits to town. Anderson's does indeed sell a lot of pea soup, so if that's your thing.....go head on...
Our second day of travel took us to Bakersfield, CA, and Orange Grove RV Park east of town. This is a great park set in an ancient orange grove (duh). Guests are encouraged to pick as many oranges as they wish, and staff even provides bags and "picking poles" to reach those oranges that are on the top of the tree.
After loading up on fresh water and getting a good nights' sleep, we again found some asphalt that needing pounding. This third days' journey took us over the Sierra Nevada mountains on Highway 58 through the town of Tehatchapi, and then out into the high desert of southeastern California. This pass is famed for the constant winds that are harnessed by hundreds of wind turbines. A bit of snow on the ground added to the interest of the Tehatchapi Valley.
Turning south on US 395 at Kramers Corner, we bailed off into the even higher desert of San Bernardino County and Interstate 10, heading east into Palm Springs, CA, and finally the town of Indio, CA. This has become one of our frequent stops, being located at just the correct day trip mileage and the Spotlight 29 Casino welcomes us and dozens of other rv'ers to a paved, well lit, and secure parking lot. It ain't pretty, but it's a great value!
Crossing the Colorado River the next day sent us into Arizona.
Where our first stop was at Exit 5 to get fuel at greatly reduced Arizona prices. Needless to say, California fuel prices are sky high, so it's a relief to find a product at a more reasonable price. Our destination this fourth day of travel, was Quartzsite, Arizona, home of what is advertised to be the "largest rv park in the west".
And it is:
Every year, thousands of rv'ers gather in the desert for a few months of "off grid" camping. Dry camping, or "boondocking", is a way of life out here in a town that normally is home to roughly 2500 people. On a good day. Campfires are required, and this year the weather was very co-operative, so we had a fire most every night.
We stayed four nights out in the desert, enjoying sunsets and good company, and trying different views of the same cactus.
Quartzsite in January is home to "The Big Tent" rv show. Vendors come from all over the country to sell items that appeal to campers and off roaders. "Fair food" is abundant, along with dust, dirt, and thousands of people. Oh, yeah, Great Fun!
We eventually left Quartzsite for the bright lights, hot showers, and good tv reception of Las Vegas, Nevada! On US95 near Searchlight, Nevada, we happened on an interesting rock formation.
That was pretty much the only thing of interest we saw on our trip! We slid through Parker, AZ, and Needles, CA, before getting into Las Vegas about 4:00 pm. We're camped at the Sam's Town KOA next to our friends Bill and Diane.
We expect to be here a few days to see a couple of variety shows and eat some good food. It's wonderful to be back in civilization!
No comments:
Post a Comment