Sea to "Sea" to Desert

SUNDAY, MARCH 25

As I got ready this morning to leave the Champagne Lakes RV Resort, near Escondido, where I had set up my camper next to the office yesterday, I happened to glance out my window and spotted some of the geese I had seen when I got here.

Where I live in Palm Springs, just steps from my patio, is a pond that is frequented by ducks (and ducklings), egrets, the occasional cormorant, a thirsty hawk, and Canadian Geese.  The geese I saw this morning are white -- Snow Goose is what I’m guessing they are, based on online photographs.

Geese coming 'round my truck...

...and waddling on by.

The darker goose with the knob on its head may be a Chinese Goose - “The Chinese goose is a breed of domesticated goose descended from the wild swan goose. Chinese geese differ from the wild birds in much larger size, and in having an often strongly developed basal knob on the upper side of the bill. Wikipedia”

My destination today – the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, “…the largest state park in California and, the second largest in the contiguous United States.”  For more information, check out this link - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park

To get there, I got back on I-15, going south to reconnect to Rt. 78 E at Escondido.  The route soon became a winding two-lane road, traversing mostly downhill through a scenic terrain of rocky hills, leveling out as I approached Santa Ysabel.  At this juncture I then drove along on the flatter and gentler Rt. 79 N for a few miles before turning east on S2 and S22.  The descent to the village of Borrego Springs, was quite hairy – about 10 curvy miles down a steep 8% grade.  I cannot recall ever driving down, or up, a grade that steep…and with my camper, too.

From where I began that descent, and could see how far down the desert floor was, I started kicking myself for making this one mistake with my F-350 Dually – not knowing how to shift to a lower gear while in motion.  I did that once on a previous trip, shifting from D to 3, and the vibrations I felt from the truck made me think I’d done it wrong.  I must ask David how to do this properly.

I made it down and, after prying my fingers off the steering wheel, made my way to my site at the Borrego Palm Canyon Campground.  I hooked up to the shore power, did my usual “getting settled in” routine, and then went out to take a walk on the .06-mile paved path to the Visitors Center.  I strolled along, stopping now and then to take pictures --   

A mid-day half-moon, framed between blossoming
ocotillo branches.

Ferocactus - "a genus of large barrel-shaped cacti,
mostly with large spines and small flowers."

The flowers of this particular cactus.

My “usual routine” today also included sitting outside with my late afternoon cocktail, going back inside for some supper, watching the sunset -- which is possible now because I’m away from the coastal rains of last week -- and then watching it become darker.  I didn’t do any reading or writing this evening.  I think that heart-thumping steep descent wore me out pretty good.

MONDAY, MARCH 26

I woke up twice during the night and both times I stepped outside to look at the stars.  Void of city and other artificial lights, the night sky here is perfect for star gazing.  The half-moon I had seen yesterday afternoon was now above me and, even at “half power,” the moonshine was bright enough to wash out some of the stars.  Back in bed, after my second trip outside, I could see the moon through my side window and, since it often takes me a while to go back to sleep, I just kept looking at it and watching it slowly disappear behind the jagged peak of a mountain.  Now would be a good time to go back outside and see the stars adorn a much blacker sky, but then I fell asleep.

I’m expecting overnight visitors today!  Around 12:30 p.m., spotting her red car, I welcomed Leslie Elion and Kuro to my “home on the road.”  They came from San Diego and made good time on the same routes I took yesterday.  This is the first time Leslie has ever seen my camper and Kuro was interested in everything, even learning quickly how to jump up onto the cabover bed.

After their 2-hour drive, Leslie and Kuro were both ready for a walk.  But first, we transferred their stuff from car to camper – or, rather, Leslie did while I restrained Kuro – sat down for a short time at the dinette table, had lunch, and then we were good to go.  Yesterday had been a windy day.  Today, it was calm and a bit warmer.  It was also cloudy but those clouds, blocking the sun now and then, made for a pleasantly cool walk on the paved path to the Visitor’s Center.  I showed Leslie the Cacti Garden, the Pupfish Pond, and she also went inside the Visitor’s Center.  I’d already gone inside yesterday so I stayed outside with Kuro.  He’s such a sweetheart!  He’s a rescue and absolutely adores Leslie.  Like all rescues, Kuro knows his human is giving him a forever home and a more secure life.

Back at the camper we continued our visit outside, sitting on my camp chairs.  Kuro loved it all – laying on Leslie’s lap and enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of this very different environment.  We had our supper, took Kuro for his evening walks, and then went to bed – Leslie and Kuro up on the cabover bed and me on the dinette bed.

TUESDAY, MARCH 27

There was a beautiful pre-sunrise orange glow on the eastern horizon when I woke up at 6:30 a.m.  Knowing that I’ve been hosting a hearing creature inside the camper, I sneaked a look over to the cabover bed and -- sure enough! -- found Kuro looking right back at me!  At the sound of my “Hi, Kuro!” voice he got all excited and jumped right down to the floor.  Because of the way the converted dinette bed is positioned, he couldn’t jump up to join me there so I picked him up.  He did the licking thing and I did the scratching thing and after about 10 minutes of that I thought he probably needed to go out.  I put him on the floor, put my shoes on, and the second Kuro saw me get his collar and leash, he got all excited all over again.  It took me a minute to figure out the slip-on collar but as soon as we were outside he headed for the nearest pee spot.  We walked for a short time and seeing that he was about to poop I steered him to a spot closer to my camper.  Back inside Kuro immediately jumped up on the big bed and proceeded to wake Leslie up.  I found that entire episode extremely entertaining!

Check-out time was 12 noon, so by 11:00 a.m., after we’d had breakfast, I started my usual “camper departure” preparations.  Leslie and I both got back on S22, she going west and me going east.  I should mention here that we, unfortunately, did not see a bloom of wildflowers around our section of the park.  The conditions for these desert wildflowers must be exactly right for them to bloom.  It’s all a matter of winter rains and temperatures and nobody can predict when and where blooms will occur, if at all.  We were, nevertheless, surrounded by much beauty and that is always much appreciated.

Leslie and Kuro.

Leslie, Kuro, and me.

The terrain along my drive on S22 E became much more arid and dusty/sandy as I left Borrego’s mountains and canyons and ventured further into the desert.  My road ended at Rt. 86 at which point I turned north and, several miles later, turned right onto a road where a sign welcomed me to Salton City.  There’s a RV Park further up on this road but I didn’t have a reservation for a site there.  I also didn’t know if I was going to even want to stay at this particular Park.  “Take a look-see, Mappie, and then decide.”

Yup, I’ll stay here, the West Shores RV Park and Storage. Seemingly split in half, probably intentionally, I noted that the section to my left was full of long or short term RVs and the section to my right had plenty of available spaces, all with full hookups.  Directly ahead is the Salton Sea.

I stopped at the office, which is located inside the Johnson’s Landing Café & Bar, but it was closed and apparently won’t open until 3:00 p.m.  I decided to just go ahead and pick a site and deal with the registration later.  Backing my truck camper into the spot I selected, I noticed this fella sitting with his dog at a nearby picnic table.  Intensely focused on the simple (but sometimes complicated) task of backing in the truck camper just the way I wanted it, it didn’t dawn on me that that fella was waiting for me to finish so he could then register me for that site.  Once I realized that, I walked with him to the office and got that taken care of.  I think I picked a great site – there’s nothing in front of me but sand, some low shrubbery, the Salton Sea and, beyond that, a range of hills.

Looking at the pretty scene in front of me, I was surprised to see the dark blue color of the Salton Sea.  I expected a somewhat drab color, considering how unhealthy this body of water -- a man-made-lake-formed-by-accident -- really is.  Already causing health problems for humans and wildlife, this extremely saline, [sometimes] smelly, and dying lake will become more hazardous fairly soon if California’s legislators don’t act and address the environmental problems here.  This link offers a brief read of the lake’s history --         

https://www.damninteresting.com/sordid-history-of-the-salton-sea/

Needing to catch up on writing my fifth blog of this truck camper trip I spent my afternoon working on that.  Curious about the onsite café I decided to head over there for some supper.  I was the only customer…maybe because it’s Tuesday?  This does look like the kind of place that would attract a beer-guzzling weekend crowd.  My server was very nice.  The food was alright. 

The west shoreline of the [dark blue] Salton Sea, Salton City.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28

It didn’t take much to convince myself last night to stay here another day.  And why not?  I can continue to work on my blog while enjoying the view directly in front of me.  So, here I am, still here today.

It was very windy when I arrived yesterday.  There’s barely a breeze today and it’s also a lot warmer.  I have all my windows open and have been working steadily on the laptop.  Taking a break shortly after lunch, I visited the office to pay for today and then started to walk towards the lake.  A posted “No Trespassing” sign put that trek to a halt.  As I considered the implications of that sign I thought I best not ignore it.  Walking back to my camper, it occurred to me that, since my arrival yesterday, I hadn’t seen any people, any watercraft, nor any water birds on or near the lake.  And to think that this lake used to be a popular recreational area.

THURSDAY, MARCH 29

This morning I started to gather and bag up stuff in preparation for my return home tomorrow.  By 11:30 a.m. I was on my way, stopping first at the Salton City Post Office, which was located inside a small store near Rt. 86.  I then took that highway, going north.  The Salton Sea, for a good number of miles, remained within view at my right before it tapered off and gave way to groves of palm trees, most of which, I’m sure, are date palm trees.  Folks may scoff at the idea of visiting the Salton Sea but I will vouch for this being a drive worth taking, even if it takes a full day to drive around the entire lake.

At the juncture of I-10 I took the Dillon Road exit towards Desert Hot Springs.  This turned out to be the perfect road – my kind of road -- to bring my truck camper trip to a close.  Extending straight ahead like an unfurled ribbon, seeming to end right at the snow-capped San Gorgonio Mountain, this lonely two-lane road has many gentle rolling dips which made my drive that much more fun.  I stopped on the shoulder to take a couple of pictures --

Dillon Road, going west.

Mt. San Jacinto, as seen from Dillon Road.  Palm Springs is at the
base of this mountain.

The new Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA in Desert Hot Springs was the perfect place for me to spend my last night in the truck camper.  I got more stuff ready for unloading tomorrow at home and then, noting that it has indeed been hot here, headed for the pool.  Looking up at the full moon later that night, I thought, “How cool is this?  The moon was full my first night on this trip and it’s full again my last night.”

SUNDAY, APRIL 1

My last major chore at the KOA last Friday was to drain the camper’s water faucets and then dump the black and grey tanks.  I arrived home before noon and completed the process of unloading the camper.  The next morning, (yesterday) my friend Mike joined me on the drive to Galaxy Campers in Ontario to return the camper to storage.  [Thank you again, David!]

Final Note:  Over the course of this four-week trip around southern/central California, I accumulated 1,526 miles and needed 136 gallons of diesel fuel.

Yes, It Must Rain Sometimes!

SUNDAY, MARCH 18

My recent experience with RV Parks, like this one here [the Evergreen RV Park in Oxnard] seems to indicate that I’m much more likely to find these campgrounds already full if I just show up there.  So many spaces are taken up by full-time/part-time motorhome or trailer residents, leaving just a few sites available for someone like me who’s just traveling through.  It will be a good idea, I’ve now determined, to try to plan my destinations in advance and make site reservations.  Sitting here at my little parking spot, I made use of my morning doing just that – online research for where to go after I visit my friend in Calabasas today.   

Unlike my situation yesterday, there was no other RVer waiting to take my spot but, with respect to Evergreen’s check-out time, I left around noon and headed for Calabasas via 101 S.  I had an hour to spare so I looked for a shopping center and found an UPS store (they printed and mailed Blog #3 for me), a Starbucks (I had banana bread and Caffe Mocha), and an Albertson’s (I replenished some dwindling foodstuffs).  Then I went to Sally’s house!

Sally and I have known each other for five years now, since sitting next to each other, twice, at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.  Having learned fingerspelling when she was a little girl she communicated with me that way and I’d get together now and then with her and Bear, her Shepherd/Lab mix, and join them on walks/hikes.  Bear was such a sweetheart, everybody loved him!  He was 16 when he passed on a few months ago.

After parking my truck camper and bringing some of my more valuable stuff inside, Sally and I sat down for a short while then took a walk through her neighborhood to a nearby park. There was a trail and as we walked on it I noted the gentle, and very green, rolling hills surrounding the area.  We came upon two tree stumps in front of a tall oak tree and sat down, a break Sally knew I probably needed.  In addition to being tall with many outstretched branches, the oak tree had a thick girth and, for a moment, I let my imagination run free.  I made a comment about the people that lived around here so many hundreds of years ago and asked Sally if she thought a pair of long-ago lovers may have visited this very tree.  She concurred and said she can also imagine the original inhabitants gathering acorns from around the tree.

We had dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant, after which we played a game of Scrabble on the old, but still useful, Travel Edition that I keep inside my camper.  Around 9:00 p.m. I called it a day and headed for bed in the upstairs guest room.

MONDAY, MARCH 19

So that I could be on my way after breakfast I followed Sally to an organic store that had an eatery inside.  We then said our “see you next time” bye-byes and I resumed my truck camper trip. 

Sally and me.

I wasn’t on Hwy 101 S for very long before I became part of the mass of slow moving vehicles on I-405 S.  On the approach to the Getty Center exit, I remembered last summer’s wildfires in this area and, glancing up the hillside on my left, could see the blackened earth from the fire that had burned so close to this world famous art museum.  

Going south on I-405 towards Los Angeles.

Driving on these busy and jam-packed L.A. freeways commands your full attention, and more so when you’re driving a truck camper…or other RV for that matter.  But for the one or two reckless lane-weavers on the road, traffic wasn’t too bad and I soon connected to I-105 W and arrived at the Dockweiler RV Park, located in Playa del Rey and situated right next to the Los Angeles Airport.  I’d arrived around 11:00 a.m. and had to wait until 1:00 p.m. to check in.  The nice fella in the office told me to just stay where I was parked and, as a kind gesture to help me kill time, he went ahead and gave me the Wi-Fi user name.

All of the sites here are paved, clearly marked, and very clean.  In addition to the Wi-Fi access I have water and electricity at my site.  Directly in front of me, separated by a low wall, is a bike and jogging path.  Several yards beyond the path is a sand berm which, unfortunately, is blocking my view of the ocean.  I found this info online --

Before winter begins, the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors deposits giant mounds of sand along the coast to protect parking lots, lifeguard towers, RV parks, and other property from flooding and destruction caused by high tides and storm-charged waves. The county got serious with berm treatment in the early ’80s, reinforcing Dockweiler State Beach, Venice Beach, Hermosa Beach, Zuma Beach, and Malibu Surfrider Beach. Between February and March the berms go bye-bye, so appreciate their hard work while they’re here.

The sand berm here hasn’t gone bye-bye yet, obviously, but the link is an interesting and informative read -- http://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/l-works-beach-berms/

Seen from my camper, a dip in the sand berm 

offers a sliver of a glimpse of the ocean.

Along California’s coast are many state beaches, all of which a camping site can be reserved online.  Summertime reservations are, obviously, snapped up months prior.  But this is March and if I can take a cue from the many empty spaces that I see right now and right here at this beachfront RV Park, it should be easy enough to make online reservations at some of the state beaches further south.

Much to my surprise, however, after spending a great deal of time on my laptop, I couldn’t make a state beach reservation anywhere for tomorrow.  I kept getting an “error alert” about the day I want (tomorrow, Tuesday) and I should pick a different day.  As I pondered this unexpected situation, I observed that dark clouds had rolled in and, having already read online weather reports about the forecast for rain, I had this bright idea -- stay right here for another day.  Making that online reservation for my second day here tomorrow was easy, probably because this RV Park is under the auspices of the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors and not the California State Park system.  Feeling better about my decision, I abandoned the laptop, stepped outside, trudged up the sand berm, and there was the Pacific!

As I almost always do, I went down to the water and got my feet wet.  There was nobody else around, but for a few busy shorebirds and two ships in the distance.

Two ships and a few shorebirds.

TUESDAY, MARCH 20

First things first this morning – get back on the laptop and see if I have better luck with state beach reservations.  Nope, same thing…I just can’t seem to secure a reservation anywhere for tomorrow, Wednesday, which is not even the weekend.  I’m now wondering if there is a 24-hour rule at play here.  I changed strategy and managed to make a reservation, via email, for tomorrow at a private RV Park in Long Beach.  I was also able to secure a Thursday reservation, through the City of Huntington Beach website, for a space at what’s described as “a beachfront parking lot,” in Huntington Beach.

I don’t know where I’ll be come Friday but now, as I write this, it’s 3:30 p.m. and I’m gonna go back over that berm and get my feet wet.

A view of my truck camper from atop the sand berm.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21
It’s been raining this morning and I got wet unhooking the water hose and shore power cord.  Getting behind the wheel I turned on the truck’s heater and then made my way along I-105 E to I-405 S to I-710 S to Long Beach, heading for the Golden Shore RV Resort.  I knew that I-710 ended at LB but I didn’t expect to see a congestion of so many exit ramps at the end of that freeway.  Here I am, driving a truck camper in inclement weather and trying to focus on the confusing array of exit signs (most of which lead to one of LB’s many piers) and I missed the exit I was supposed to take to the RV Resort.

So, where did I end up?  The Queen Mary parking lot!

Staring at the entrance gate bar that was blocking my way forward, I looked around and saw that there was no way I could back up and turn around.  That entire pavement that I exited onto was one-way to about ten lanes of entrance gate bars.  And, thanks to the mechanical wonders of today’s automation, there wasn’t a human attendant anywhere.  That ticket-spitting contraption outside my driver side window had two buttons, one of which advised to press for assistance.  How’s THAT gonna assist me?

Glaring at the stubborn parking lot entrance bar in front of me, and heaving an exasperated sigh, I did the one and only thing I could logically do – press the other button which demanded that I press it, take the ticket that popped out of the slot, and drive directly to the exit.  And then I saw the Queen Mary!  Lordy, that’s one massive ship!  I gotta come back someday and take a tour – preferably when it’s not raining.

The moment I saw the exit gate bar I also saw that there was, thank goodness, an attendant standing there.  I told him I wasn’t supposed to be here and the look on his face was a clear revelation that I’m not the only one who has mistakenly taken the wrong exit and arrived here.  A glance at the time stamp on my ticket was all he needed to verify that I was being truthful and after asking me where I’m supposed to go he gave me directions and let me through.  Following his directions precisely, I still somehow missed the street I was looking for and ended up back on 710, going north.

I finally found the RV Park, but being that they told me check-in time is 2:00 p.m., I was 90 minutes early.  Maybe there’s a shopping center nearby where I can park for a while?  The morning’s off-on bursts of rain was on again and after a series of turns here and there I eventually found myself on Ocean Blvd, right in the heart of downtown Long Beach.  “Just keep going, girl, you’ll find something,” and that I did – a waterfront park that extended along the residential section of Ocean Blvd.  Finding a blessed curbside spot I parked right there and caught up on some CNN news on my iPhone.  By 2:00 p.m. I was exactly where I was supposed to be.  I did the “tank dump” chore and then settled in.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22
Yesterday I submitted an online form and also sent an email to a RV Resort in Escondido inquiring about a reservation for this coming Saturday.  In the box asking for “cell number” I thought, what the heck, and provided my text number.  Just as I was about to leave this morning (it’s still raining and I got wet again unhooking and stowing away the water hose and shore power cord) I actually got a text message from the RV Resort, asking me to call them regarding my reservation request.

But now I’m in my truck, I’ve started the motor, I’ve exited the RV Park I got lost looking for yesterday, and I’ve built up the courage to get back on I-710 N, right this minute and in this rain, to drive south to Huntington Beach, via Rt. 1, the Pacific Coast Highway.

Call them?  An image immediately appeared in my mind – the face of my sweet, good-looking friend, Larry.  Yes, that Larry who lives in Hawaii and has done many wonderful things for the Deaf folks on the islands.  In response to my last blog in which I wrote that “I can’t call” to make reservations, Larry asked if I had a VRS app on any of my devices.  I told him that I do have the app on both my iPhone and iPad but I hesitate to make calls because of erratic or non-existent internet access.  Larry encouraged me to give it a try.  I really should, that I know, wimpy ole techno-klutz me.

But not today.  I’m driving.  It’s raining.  And I have to respond…now.  So, while stopped at a series of traffic lights I exchanged text messages with my fellow texter (not a word, I know, but so what!).  I understood that their RV Resort is first come first serve and although they are currently full on the day I want to be there (Saturday) they do have an overflow space next to the office (this is becoming a very familiar experience!) but to hold it for me they need my CC information now, or at least ASAP.  If they email me the reservation form could I fill it out with my CC information and email it back right away?  I texted back that I’m headed for a place in Huntington Beach that has no Wi-Fi but I’m sure I can find a McDonald’s or someplace and use their internet to retrieve the email and follow up…ASAP.

Driving along with my wipers going, alternately fast and then slow, depending on the temperament of the sky, I had an idea.  Hey!  This oughta work!  My brother Bill!  He can call for me!  I arrived in Huntington Beach but being that I was too early to check in the Sunset Vista Camping Facility I parked on the street, next to a parking meter.  Whether there was time left on that meter, I didn’t know and I didn’t look.  Cutting the engine I immediately texted Bill and asked if he could please call the RV Resort in Escondido and use his CC information to hold that space for me, and then when I get there on Saturday I’ll have them cancel his card and switch to mine.  Sure thing he said.  I texted my other text buddy to let him/her know Bill would be calling momentarily.  Then Bill let me know it was done and I’m all set.  Thank you, Baby Brudder!

It was about 2:30 p.m. when I found myself sitting at my dinette and looking out the window.  What a great view of the ocean!  Too bad it’s been such a gloomy day but I’m warm, dry, and comfortable.  And I did make time for my usual stroll down to the water.

My view the afternoon of my arrival, Huntington Beach.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23
It rained during the night -- that I deduced from the raindrops on my windows – but by around 10:00 a.m. the clouds cleared and the sun was shining.  From inside my camper I could see the blue of the sea and there were a lot more people on the beach and bike path.  I have one more coastal stop today and so I left Huntington Beach just before noon and got back on the PCH heading for Dana Point.

Same view, the morning of my departure.

I was successful last Wednesday, while at Long Beach, in making a reservation for today at the Doheny State Beach in Dana Point.  I guess one does need at least 48 hours to make these state beach reservations.  Same day walk-ins are always possible, but that’s not something I want to take a chance on – especially not here in California.

My drive took me through Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Dana Point before I arrived at Doheny SB.  I showed the confirmation information that I had received via email to the fella at the entrance but their information indicated that the site I had selected was cancelled.  I have no idea how that happened and it’s a good thing I had the email confirmation on my iPhone to show them.  They offered me a different site and when I asked if there was anything closer to the beach, they complied with my request and made the change.

There are no hookups at this State Beach but I’ve got plenty of propane for the fridge.  I am, at this precise moment, typing this on my laptop, relying entirely on the laptop’s supply of battery power.  And, at the same time, I’m watching this guy (with verbal and hand directions from his SO) try to back in his Lance trailer into a rather tight spot.  That trailer’s driver side slideout is just about touching the trailer next to it.  Gee, that is a bit too close for comfort!

There’s a sand berm on the beach here, too, but from where I sit, looking out my camper’s windows, I can see parts of the ocean well enough.  With the sun out there, practically clamoring to be adored, I pulled out my camp chair and set it up atop the sand berm.  A beautiful day, indeed, albeit a little bit cool and breezy, and I had my view of the water and my book and the company of seagulls, pelicans, a few ravens…and some people, too.  

Doheny State Beach.

A pelican flyover, Doheny State Beach.

Sunset, Doheny SB.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24

Observing other RVers and campers can be entertaining, like those folks yesterday trying to back in their trailer.  This morning I watched two groups of tent campers go about trying to prepare breakfast outside.  They had the characteristic body language and demeanor of someone trying to find where they had packed something or other.  Everything I have is sorted away inside my camper – my cereal is right there in the pantry and my milk is in the fridge.  To each his/her own!

I bid farewell to the Pacific this morning and turned east towards Escondido.  Despite the high volume of vehicles on the road (and today is Saturday!) it was a decent drive – I-5 S to Rt. 78 E to I-15 N to Old Hwy 395 to the Champagne Lakes RV Resort.  The lady who texted back and forth with me last Thursday, and who spoke with Bill when he called on my behalf, greeted me when I pulled up to the office and helped me back in to the spot she held for me.  She suggested I get myself set up and then come inside the office to register.

Thanking her profusely for taking the time to text with me, for taking Bill’s CC information, and for holding the spot for me, she smiled her welcome and started to fingerspell.  She’d forgotten much of it but her effort was also much appreciated.  Now that I’m here with Wi-Fi access, it’s time to get this blog posted.  After which I will walk around the Resort.  They have three lakes and I spotted ducks and geese.  I’m not that far from the coast but this spot certainly is a whole different world.  I like it!

A Lake and an Ocean

SATURDAY, MARCH 10

Having decided to stay at the Blackstone North RV Park in Fresno for a second day, I took my time getting up this morning and then got around to finish writing my second blog and posting it.  There’s nothing spectacular about this RV Park but I was glad for the opportunity to take a driving break and post the blog.

SUNDAY, MARCH 11

It’s a good thing I did an online check a few days ago and so I remembered the time change today.  It was an overcast morning but I was soon on my way to the Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, near Friant.  It’s Sunday, the end of a weekend, and I was certain I’d find a decent site at the lake.  As soon as I got on Rt. 145 E from Hwy 41 N I was amazed at how the terrain instantly morphed from flat to a wide open expanse of rolling green hills.  This narrow and curvy two-lane road all the way to the lake is just one of California’s many natural and scenic drives.

At the park entrance the fellow on duty showed me a map of available sites along both the hookup and no-hookup sections.  Deciding to go without hookups this time I selected a site with a west view of the lake.  First things first, though – time to visit the park’s sanitary disposal area and dump the black/grey tanks.  That took all of ten minutes or so and then I arrived at my site.

I sure did pick a great spot – perhaps even the best one!  There was hardly anybody else around and I had this 180 degree view of the lake and, off to my right, some of those lovely rolling hills.  The sun came out around 1:00 pm and I took a walk down to the water’s edge, wading in up to my ankles.  The air was warm, the water cold!  Sitting on the sand to dry out a bit, I observed this group of small black waterfowl swim towards a nearby shoreline.  There were no other birds that I could see on or around the lake.

Millerton Lake SRA, west view of the lake.

Millerton Lake SRA, view of the hills.

Back at my camper I pulled out my camp chair and finally sat down, facing the lake and the sun, to read a book – Deaf in Delhi, a memoir written by Madan Vasishta, my Gallaudet classmate.  About 20 pages later, I detected motion directly ahead and, looking up, saw this big bird swooping down on those black ducks in the water.  Since I’d brought my binoculars outside with me, I reached for them and watched, what appeared to be a hawk, continue to swoop down and as he did that, the ducks ducked in the water.  The hawk flew to the shoreline closest to me, to rest or strategize, or both.  About five minutes later, apparently spotting this duck that I had also noticed was by itself, the hawk took off, swooped down once, the duck ducked and stayed under, the hawk made one turn, flew low and with his talons outstretched, grabbed the duck and returned to the shoreline.

I felt bad for the duck, but this was “nature in action” and I continued to observe through my binocs.  Due to a slight sandy bump at the water’s edge I couldn’t really see the duck, except for its feet, but I could see the hawk pluck at the duck’s feathers and, for a good hour or so, everything was a methodical pluck-pluck-pluck-tug-tug-swallow, again and again.  The hawk didn’t seem the least bit perturbed when two ravens showed up.  I don’t think they got more than a morsel or two – they obviously knew the bigger fella had the hooked beak and the sharp talons.

Around 6:00 p.m., and not being hooked up to shore power, I decided this was a good time to activate my camper’s generator.  “You should run your generator more often,” was the advice I got from David Yavelak the day I picked up my camper.  The clock on my microwave came on the second I felt the generator’s vibrations.  I set the time and then proceeded to heat up some supper in the microwave.  After close to an hour, and adhering to the park’s 8:00 p.m. “no generator” rule, I turned it off and watched the sun set. 

Sunset, Millerton Lake.

MONDAY, MARCH 12

But for a 3:00 a.m. trip to the toilet, I slept very well and woke up to a clear, blue, sun-kissed lake.  I sat outside to enjoy an hour of both the morning sun and the view.  Glancing around to see what other amenities surrounded me, I observed through my binocs – sparrows and a species of small bird that had a touch of yellow on its wings and chest; a pair of Canadian Geese strolling on the beach while a flock of their cousins flew overhead; and several rabbits.  And, oh yes, I checked the hills at my right and there were several black cows on the gentle slopes.  This is a beautiful lake, so serene and quiet this time of year.  I can just imagine what it must be like during the summer months.

A morning view of Millerton Lake.

A Millerton Lake selfie!

Getting back on Rt. 145 I headed west for 99 N and, driving through Madera and Merced, I soon arrived at the Merced River RV Resort, near Delhi.  After paying for my site [for tonight and tomorrow] I asked the lady if there was something like a Staples in the area.  She gave me directions to a Staples in Turlock, a bigger town about 10 miles north.  The young woman who assisted me in the store knew sign language (and very well, too) and was so happy that I understood her and she me.  Before leaving, and still signing to her, I asked where the nearest Post Office was.  She printed out the locations of several in town and encircled one of them.  That one I headed for but couldn’t find it!  I drove up and then back down the street, noting the street names as indicated on the diagram but to no avail.  There’s a Dollar Store.  Lemme stop there.  The cashier had a line of customers but with the printout in my hand and a confused look on my face, she locked eyes and mouthed something that looked like “…help you?”  I accepted her invitation immediately, showed her the circle on the printout, and asked where’s this?  The cashier and the customer at the head of the line and the lady in a scooter next in line all said – the printout is wrong… there’s no Post Office around here…there’s one downtown…it’s on something-something street…do you know where something-something street is…just go there and turn on this curve and then…

Awwww, they were all so very helpful!  I said I didn’t live here, I’m traveling in my truck camper.  I’m pretty sure everybody in the line all let out a collective “Ohhhh...” and then the lady at the head of the line said for me to follow her, she’ll take me there.  I saw it just as she stuck her finger out the window and, sticking my hand out, waved my thanks to her.  The Post Office, located right in the heart of Turlock’s historic downtown, has a small parking lot with nose-in parking spaces.  With my truck being as big as it is, and even bigger with the camper on it, I generally avoid such tight parking spaces.  Finding a section with a row of four empty spaces I took a chance and parked in one of them.  Returning to my truck about ten minutes later, those empty spaces were, but of course, now occupied.  It took me several back-and-forth, check the exterior mirrors, turn the wheel this way and that way attempts before I could weasel my way out of my space without hitting anything.  It sure would have been a lot easier for me if the driver of one of the cars next to me had showed up and backed out.  No such luck but got out I did.

It goes without saying, my “camper adventures” also includes the challenges of communicating with non-signing hearing people and finding my way around a strange town.

TUESDAY, MARCH 13

It’s been a wet day, brief rains off and on.  Good thing I decided yesterday to stay here today.  Do some writing and reading and I’ve got Wi-Fi and cable, too.

There’s a young fellow across the way who’s been lifting weights right outside his trailer.  He also has a punching bag and since he’s been working out in full view of everybody I’ve assailed myself of my binoculars to check out his grimaces. There are, happily, more pleasant things here to observe, most notably these handsome jay-like birds that are constantly flying around my camper.  Googling a description of the bird to find a picture – blue-black body, yellow bill, long tail, white wings -- they are Yellow-billed Magpies and are “restricted to the Central Valley of California,” which is where I am right now.

Yellow-bill Magpie, outside my camper.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14

Raindrops and condensation on my cabover window indicated to me that it rained during the night.  A peek out another window confirmed that.  Good!  Rain is good!  Those almond trees need it!  As does every other crop that has been, and will be, planted.

I made a decision the other day -- this area is the furthest north I will travel on this trip.  Time now to turn south.  I got on Rt. 165 S, which took me right through the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, an area of “…26,800 acres of wetlands, riparian forests, native grasslands, and vernal pools.”  The only wildlife I saw along this 55-mph road were a number of white egrets and, at one spot, a miniature version of the white egrets.  Were they juveniles?  Or a different species --- maybe cattle egrets?  I soon connected to Hwy 33 W and made my way to the Santa Nella RV Park, near Los Banos.

Because of the rainy weather these past couple of days my planned route over the mountains to the coast doesn’t seem like a good idea at this juncture.  I absolutely do not want to deal with any potential snowy conditions at the higher elevations!  The early afternoon stop at this RV Park will give me the time I need to review my maps and consider a more southern route to the coast.

THURSDAY, MARCH 15

There was nary a cloud in the sky when I woke up this morning.  My destination today is the Castaic Lake RV Resort in Castaic.  I’d exchanged emails yesterday evening with “Eugene” and he said he would hold a space for me.  Whew, these reservation arrangements can be challenging, considering that I can’t call ahead to make one.

I initially wanted to drive on the more scenic Hwy 33 S for a little while and then connect to I-5 S for the rest of the way.  As I headed out this morning, something told me to “forget 33 and just get on I-5” – and I’m glad for that!  I completely forgot last night to check the mileage between Los Banos and Castaic and when I noted the decreasing exit numbers on I-5 I realized I would be driving for a little over 200 miles!  That’s four hours, give or take.

For most of this trip thus far I’ve been hanging out in the Joaquin Valley, California’s prime agricultural region.  As I traveled north in the beginning, the west side of the Sierras was to my right.  Now that I’m going south, the Diablo Range is to my right.  Beyond that range are the mountains that end at the coast.  As happens when I travel in the truck camper, my mind wanders sometimes and I thought of how beautiful this expansive valley must have appeared to the pioneers who made it across the Sierras.  So much has changed this valley since then…

I made good time and arrived at the Castaic Lake RV Resort at 1:00 p.m.  The facility was quite full but, as Eugene had promised, they saved a spot for me at one of their 20-volt “overflow” sites.  I used my adapter to plug my 30-amp cord to the 20-volt outlet and got myself set up for the afternoon/evening.  I sat outside in the sun for about an hour, reading my Deaf in Delhi book, after which all attempts to do some online research on my laptop proved fruitless because of a very fickle internet connection here.  It happens.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16

I was back on I-5 S for just a few miles before connecting to Rt. 126 W down to the coast.  This was a lovely drive through many orchards of fruit trees and nurseries. Obviously the soil and climate here is ideal for these variations of trees and plants.

Reaching Ventura I turned north on Hwy 101 and soon arrived at the Emma Wood State Beach.  I had my pick of a spot and since I’d arrived on a Friday morning I found plenty of available spaces.  There are no hookups here so I’ll be boondocking for the second time on this trip, again in front of water but a massive one this time – the Pacific Ocean!

There were clouds overhead but the sun stuck it out for about two hours, allowing me to sit outside, read my book, watch the waves, and observe some of the loons in the water and, every now and then, a passing seagull.  The pelican is my favorite seabird but I saw only two.

Around mid-afternoon the sun lost to the increasingly heavy clouds and the temperature dropped a little bit.  The slope down to the water is very rocky and since I’m not so sure-footed anymore – and certainly not foolhardy – I took a walk along the road instead, checking out the other boondocking RVs.

Emma Wood State Beach, Ventura - the morning I arrived.

Reading "Deaf in Delhi" just outside my camper.

Back at my camper after my brief walk I went inside and reviewed my maps and resource materials.  Towards evening the atmosphere had become so gray the horizon disappeared, leaving sky and sea the exact same color.  It also started to drizzle a little bit.  No sunset show for me tonight.  Once again I activated the generator, warmed up some leftovers for supper, and cut it off before 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 17

I woke up just as the sun was rising and, through the side window next to the bed, watched the sea and the sky gradually turn to their respective hues of blue.  Noticing that the waves crashing at the shoreline seemed closer than yesterday I realized that the tide had come in.  About an hour or so later, a glint in the water got my attention – ah, two dolphins, passing by ever so gracefully, going somewhere south.

Emma Wood SB, the morning of my departure.  The Channel Islands can be
seen in the distance.

Emma Wood SB - a very nice ocean view place to boondock!

Needing electricity and Wi-Fi today so I can catch up on my writing, I decided to take a chance and see about getting a site at the Evergreen RV Park in Oxnard, about 15 miles south of Ventura, off Hwy 101.  When I got there I could immediately tell that this was not your typical Park for traveling RVers.  The folks here are either full-time residents or are leasing spaces on a monthly basis.  The office is closed on Saturday and Sunday – and today is Saturday.  Fortunately, a very nice lady who lives several spaces down was happy to call the manager for me.  When she asked and I replied that, yes, I’m looking to stay just one night, we worked it out that I would take a parking space directly in front of the office.  I just had to wait for the current occupant of that space, a huge motorhome, to move to another space in the Park that he had been waiting for.

Finally, he drove out and as I started backing in, I stopped.  Hey, where exactly is the outlet for my 30-amp cord?  I got out of the truck and saw that from a back-in position my cord would not reach the outlet.  The cord was still short even when I parked nose-in so I retrieved my orange extension cord and my adapter and plugged into the 20-volt outlet.  All’s well!  And it’s becoming cloudy again…and windy…