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.

March 5, 2009
Escapees park at North Ranch, Congress AZ. Nice place, but no pool. Ah well electricity, air conditioning and long showers. It’s Mardi Gras time here and the celebration starts tomorrow. Should be fun. This is ghost town area, lots of gold mining around here years ago. Did some exploring. There are about 20 ghost towns within 20 miles of here. Would be nice to have company, but meeting lots of people on the way. Think I will head for New Mexico next week, pick up some white sand for Pete.

March 1, 2009
It’s March already…. Holtville was a lot of fun, Campfires and sing songs, dancing at the Ranch, Hot Pools and good conversation. Had to take a picture of the lemons, and of course some of the signage. The Wildlife area was a vacant lot….. I will definitely be back here next year.