December 7, 2009
Getting behind here, but that probably means I am having fun instead of sitting at the puter. Went up to Castle Dome, a ghost town that was put together from several sites in the area. Reminds me of some of the Gold Mines at home. Finally got up to Imperial Dam, Senator Wash and Mittry Lake areas, but for some reason didn’t take any pictures. Looks like some good camping spots down along the lake, may go there for a few days when I leaveHoltville.
Thanksgiving was BBQ salmon with scotch whiskey sauce, (Better than turkey) with good company and conversation.
Couple of days later invited over to Yuma for a Basque meal featuring leg of lamb and to meet some other snowbirds. Great meal and good cook (and although I felt a little guilty about not helping) it was nice to just enjoy the company.

Enrique and Elvira from Silverado Ranch threw a party for the snowbirds on Dec 5th. Elvira’s father had caught the fish before he died a month or so ago, so the party was a celebration of his life as well as a fun time. Mostly Mexican music, and dancing. Had a good time. Again forgot to take pictures.
Yesterday went down to Yuma for breakfast at the Q casino and then out looking around for camping spots at Mittry Lake. It is raining today and supposed to again tomorrow so will probably wait for the sun to come back before moving out there. Probably go to Algodones tomorrow to finish up Christmas shopping.

Forgot to mention Felicity CA. officially "the centre of the world" It seems that a French fellow decided to build some monuments there and have it officially declared. There is more info at the website and so much to see I will have to go back again. Basically the history of the world is engraved on Granite slabs, supposed to last 4,000 years. It is very well done and worth seeing. www.felicityusa.com

Yuma Balloon Fest

Balloon Fest- Up at 3:30 California time to get to Yuma (on Arizona time) for assembly and inflation of balloons. Thanks Jerry for convincing me. Got to be right out on the field with the balloons, talk to the pilots and passengers . Amazing. Took tons of pictures.
Then breakfast at Brownies and off to the Arizona Market. Got the weasel ball for Tee. Then laundry and a run for the dogs. Went downtown old Yuma to find the Taco Competition, but missed it I guess. Late lunch at Lutes Casino (reminds me of the bar in Victoria ....Big Bad Johns)
Then on to Desert Sun Stadium to see the Balloon Glow--- about 20 balloons in a baseball field – very colourful—
Fireworks followed and I almost Forgot about Aki in the truck—When I got back to it, he reminded me he was not fond of fireworks, while I tried to navigate my way out of Yuma with 2,000 other cars.
It was a good day, and I am glad I went.

Death Valley to Holtville - comments

Nov 6 – 20
Am falling behind in my posting. Sorry....
Left Death Valley Sunday Nov 8 and spent two nights at SKP Co-op at Pahrump. Still boondocking. Happy Hour with Sally and Gerry and Trish then on to Plomosa Road. Wanted to check and see if Internet and phone worked there. Went out to the Solo Site, very quiet. Nearest RV to me was about a mile away. Could tell by the desert varnish the site hadn’t seen much traffic since January.
On to Holtville LTVA, the pool was closed for repair for the first three days. It is open again now. Lots of work done on it and a chainlink fence around and new paint and cement finish on the pool area.
Very few people here so far, but we have had a couple of campfires and music.
Headed off to Brawley for the Cattle Call Rodeo on Saturday. It was fun but very warm.
First trip to Algodones Tuesday, thanks to guide Jerry. Introduced me to his dentist too, so got my teeth cleaned. Thursday I went down by myself and had four fillings done. (Total cost $180.) So bought my antibiotics for $6.50 and a new pair of glasses (the ones that change colour) for $100. Figure I saved about $1,000 total.
Today is cleanup day and an early night, Going to Yuma to the Balloon Fest tomorrow morning, have to be up by 4 am.

Death Valley to Holtville

Oct 27
Very windy this morning, first Generator started at exactly 8 am. The internet service that I found last night (Gossip Central – Furnace Creek) seems to be down this morning. Probably the wind.
Oct 28 – Nov 1
Very windy for three days, then it got calmer and hot. Music at night is back on and swimming at the hot springs. After the big wind more Solos started arriving, You are not allowed to save spaces at this campground but there was a great spot to have coffee till Marty arrived. (But we were NOT saving a space.)
Big convoy up Daylight Pass for Beatty Days, Fattening food, and parade, Booths with lots of rocks and stuff to sell (probably same ones will be here next week)
Stop at Rhyolite (ghost town)on the way back. Interesting spot, 1904 gold discovered by Shorty Harris and Ed Cross; in 1908 probably 10,000 lived here, by 1920 there were only 20 left Interesting museum run by a Belgian with lots of stories to tell. .Open Air Museum with interesting art.
Nov 1, rest and relax by pool, some went to Shoshone. Change of time. I think everyone has 7 am programmed into their generators. At that precise time the roar begins. I haven’t had to use mine yet, so thinking maybe next time will camp at Texas springs where they are not allowed. You can block out the noise with earplugs, but haven’t figured out how to block out the smell.
Happy Hour with the Albertans yesterday. Nice to spend time with Canadians lamenting the scarcity of puffed wheat and Robertson screws.
Nov 2 – 6
Nov 3, drove up Titus Canyon, now that was a trip not for the faint of heart. From Sea Level to 5000 ft and back down 2 or 3 times in 35 miles. One way very narrow winding road. Fantastic views for the passengers, unfortunately I was driving so had to stop in order to see them. Kept being told to keep my hands off the camera, and on the wheel ; and eyes on the road ahead. Every time I come to Death Valley the scenery amazes and enchants. Wish I could show it to the kids. Sunset at Zabriski Point last night...was fun to show it to people that hadn’t been there before.
Coyote Howl last night, lots of talent, Amateur Night, but some of those pickers and strummers were pretty good. Fellow on the harmonica made it sound like a full orchestra. Celebrated the 75th wedding anniversary of one couple in their nineties and still RVing.
Wagon trains arrive here today, and then the riders and antique cars. More music with breakfast this morning.

Oct 19 – Oct 26

Left Grouard after the snow melted and the mud dried up a bit on the 19th headed for Edmonton and an appointment with surgeon at University Hospital. After paying $14 in parking fees I was told that surgery on my hand probably would not help (Sort of what I figured, and I really didn’t want someone cutting into it and making it worse). Upside of the whole exercise was that I was able to meet up with Bill and catch up for a couple of days. He is going to be busy setting up his new house and hunting, but will probably head south later.
On to Kelowna and a quick visit with my friend Ingrid and my Sister Patty and then off to the desert.
Lots of driving....Yakima Casino on the 23rd, Winnemucca Nevada on the 24th, and Baileys Hot Springs at Beatty Nevada on the 25th. I arrived at Furnace Creek, Death Valley about noon on the 26th and was glad to set up and stop driving for a bit. Baileys Campground was ok, $19 a night including hotsprings. But I was disappointed in the hot pools. There are 3 of them, very shallow and in dark buildings (private, so no conversation.) Not really conducive to hanging out for any length of time. The campground is right next to the highway but does have trees for shade. Good water for drinking and filling up tanks before heading to Death Valley.
After unhooking and setting up camp, met up with about 10 – 12 SKP solos that I had met last year. Lots of hugs and catching up. Park Ranger advised that it would be windy the next day, so made sure everything was secure. Great music from several groups warming up for Death Valley Days till about 9 pm, then everything quiet for the night.

Oct 27
Very windy this morning, first Generator started at exactly 8 am. The internet service that I found last night (Gossip Central – Furnace Creek) seems to be down this morning. Probably the wind.

From Petrolia you can drive 15 miles to Honeydew where you climb from sea level to 2800 ft in less than 5 miles and then back down again. From Honedew you drive another 22 miles to Avenue of the Giants. About ½ of the drive through huge redwoods.

Could also be named Corkscrew, or Heart in Throat Drive. About 30 miles of very winding, steep, narrow, cliff hugging road from Ferndale to Petrolia, Beautiful Black Sand Beaches (when you get down to sea level)

Got fridge working again, Headed north to Fernadale, along 101 with a slight detour through Avenue of the Giants. Before leaving got this pic of Common Vision bus, camped by me at Santa Rosa.
Arrived at Ferndale early afternoon, Fairgrounds is open field but has water and electric hookup for $15 a night. Showers and dump available too. Ferndale has amazing Victorian architecture, Most of the buildings on Main Street and for the most part all the residential houses are Victorian.
Great spot for people watching, and lots of little shops to browse though. ( One thing I noticed, is that everyone says Good Morning or Hello.) Friendly spot. Cheese Factory at Loleta is just a few miles away, as is shopping in Eureka, the Redwood Forest and the Ocean.

Montana de Oro to San Fransisco and beyond.
The boy scouts took over the campground, so had fun trying to get my trailer hooked up and out of there. Got dumped and headed north. “San Fransisco here I come”. Left the trailer dump at about 9 am, Freeway driving most of the way. Driving through San Fransico was interesting. Nigel (Lyn's name for the GPS guy) led me off 101 on to 19th street for about 6 miles of stop and go traffic. Guess he thought I wanted to see the sights. (the pics are taken while driving....no place to stop) anyway ....... I made it through okay, and was awfully glad to get parked. Set up and let the dogs out for a walk and got a glass of wine. Then since it was early I decided to hit Trader Joe's and picked up some fish and coffee and ice cream. and a couple of frozen quiches. Back to the trailer to find the fridge quit!!! So the kids next door got the ice cream. The quiche was for supper and the dogs will likely have sirloin for supper tonight. And I can serve shrimp cocktails at noon. Bummer..

Montana de Oro – Mar 28 – April 3

Met up with Lyn Crystal and Marty at Pismo Beach. Marty describes that well so I will quote her.
“Starting out with coffee and sweet rolls in the Splash Cafe, home of THE centralCA coast's very best clam chowder (no, it's NOT red!), Lynn, Dottie and I madeour rounds, staying in the sun and out of the wind (G30+! forecast!).First, we hit the Chamber of Commerce, folks very friendly and helpful, but wedidn't make it to Shell Beach in time for the -low tide and spectacular tidepools! We poked around local stores (think toys, shoes and trinkets), had ourpictures taken backs to the bay, sampled Doc Burnstein's Motor Oil ice cream andapproved it as edible and then some!About noon, joined the line at the Splash Cafe and enjoyed the clam chowder andgarlic toast...across the street and away to view Avila Beach, Port San Luis,Shell Beach, and back in time to keep Dottie from getting a parking ticket! DidNOT find any reasonably priced RV parking, BUT beautiful beach scenery with thegreen, green hills behind, spring wildflowers across the fields and up thehillsides, clear and sunny skies, wind-roiled ocean, friendly people, good food,warm and cool, good friends...could you ask for more?We closed the day with a small sample (hehehe!) of Pismo Yogurt, serve yourselfamount, flavors, extras, pay by the ounce! And after hugs and see-ya's, we hitthe road again. Dottie and Lyn are planning San Luis Obispo Mission and Walmarttomorrow and may stay in town for the evening Farmers' Market, street fairestyle.”
Lyn and I did go to the Mission in San Luis Obispo, interesting…and it is still used for services nice fountain with Bears out front.
The campsite at Montana de Oro is very nice, only 9 bucks a night (for seniors) very close to the ocean I did manage to drive past the campsite on a winding one lane road for about 2 miles before I could turn around and get back to the campground. Always nice to get unhooked and pour a glass of wine after these little “adventures”.
Got the truck serviced and tires rotated at San Luis Obispo. I asked for a quote before I left the truck and they said $75..Lo and behold….the bill was…..$75…. Amazing…Thank you very much..btw the lady on the service desk was a gem.. Thank you Carol I will be letting Toyota know that you deserve a big raise. They certainly don’t want to lose you.
The campsite is just about 10 miles from Morro Bay, (Good clam chowder there too). The picture is of Morro Rock.

Mar 27 c
Freeway driving again, I 14, I 5, and 101 in and around LA. Fun Fun pulling the trailer. Stopped at Oxnard to get a decent map of the area and asked for directions to a breakfast spot. Was directed to Denny’s about 10 miles down the highway, supposed to be a good gas stop too. After maneuvering around the gas pumps with the help of an attendant, got her filled up and headed for Denny’s next door. Was told there was RV parking at the back.. Well I might have been able to park there ok, but there was no exit. So I held up people leaving the restaurant as I tried to back out of there. They were a little vocal and not necessarily impressed with my expertise. After I convinced one of them to maybe direct me to back out of the parking lot I got under way……without breakfast. Plugged Solvang into the GPS and headed back on to the freeway. That Englishman that I have on Garmin decided I wanted a scenic route and directed me off the freeway onto San Marcos Pass…..Highway 154….more hills, switchbacks, narrow roads (missing the sign that said length restrictions) should have noticed there were no trucks on this road. But now I know I can climb hills and coast down them with the trusty Tacoma.
Solvang is a very pretty Danish village, I camped about three miles down the road, left the trailer and went back for Danish pancakes at 3 in the afternoon.
Next day Marty McGrath picked me up and gave me an excellent tour of the area. Really enjoyed poking into little shops and wineries. Thanks so much Marty.

Mar 27 b
Mail arrived, time to head for the coast. Saw some nice wildflowers on the desert on the way, but freeway driving for the full day with wind gusts. I was pooped by the time I got to Palmdale, behind LA. Stopped for gas, and for the first time since 1965 I think, had to pay a quarter to use the rest room.
Asked the owner there if she knew of any campgrounds in the area that would accommodate me and the 27’trailer. She gave me directions to one supposedly 10 miles away. Well I followed directions and realized I was heading straight into the mountains, steep hills, narrow roads and switch backs and no where to turn around. Got to the campsite just before dark. Not only was it closed, it was for tents, no place in the campground that I could put the trailer. But there was a parking area next to the creek. So I pulled in and noticed two other groups camped at the sites. The first was two rough looking gals with 4 llamas, so I went over to talk. They seemed to think it would be ok to stay where I was. I wasn’t planning to take that road back in the dark anyway. The other campsite had this dude with a knit cap (Peruvian) I think, and Nova Scotia pea jacket, sitting on a stump in front of the fire drinking from a mason jar. “Deliverance” came to mind. As I looked around for the banjo, he asked if I had more of the wine I was drinking, and I admitted I did. He said his name was Carlos and he was a self taught herb gatherer. He was quite informative about the plants in the area and what they were used for.
I spent a rather sleepless night, with the dogs barking every time some critter nosed around, but all in all no problems. Drove out the next morning early. (No cell or internet service to let friends know I would be late.)

March 27 a
Met up with Doug and Jean Poile Chapter 44 SKPs from Alberta. Invited me to a rally at Usery Park in Mesa near Phoenix. Spent a fun week there with a bunch of Cannucks. One highlight was the trip to Organ stop Pizza. Huge pipe organ entertains while we eat. Amazing the size of this thing.
Camp fires at night with singing and music and storytelling, Great food, great company…

Met with Doris Sutherland (my cousin ) Dad's brother' Albert's daughter. Never met anyone from that family before, some great catching up conversation
Then on to Salome, where I stayed for a week waiting for mail.