Two weeks, now three into four Months South

Today it has been two weeks since we left the rain, and cold behind, along with family and friends, you give up something to get what you want almost always in life.

Will remember the swimming in the summer

A few of our Grandchildren we will miss
and our new shirt creations 

The trip down was as good as it gets, we took the Coho Ferry again, as find this the best way to head south off the island. Weather was good, roads mostly dry, and if it did rain it was at night. We stayed in 3 Casino lots as we made our way down, Seven Cedar's in Washington (they have a few RV plug-ins free), the Seven Feathers in Oregon, and finally Rolling Hills Casino in Corning California, we stayed in there RV park, here we had to pay. Was time for a shower, and we wanted some benefits like TV and Electric this night. We didn't make any money, but was very good food and a safe place to stay each time.

We had a couple close calls, one Polly and I won't likely forget. We were driving toward Bakersfield, on the Interstate 5, knowing we had a reservation at Orange Grove RV Park, late in the afternoon. traffic was busy, but not terrible, I was on cruise control, and all was good. All of a sudden a delivery truck caught my eye as he was passing us, quite fast, as he gets by he signals and cuts close in front of us, then as soon as he gets in our lane, he steps on his brake, then exits the highway. WOW that happened so fast, all I had time to do was cram on the brakes, and say WTF.... Polly & I were both shaken, that was about as close as we want to a huge problem. I got a quick glimpse of the guy in his cab as he left the highway, and that was it. We talk about it and agree that was the close-est so far.

We arrived late into Orange grove, we had a late start, and a few missed ramps on our way, but all was good, when we got to the place, our reservation envelope was hanging by the office with about 10 or 15 more, we were not the only ones. We got set up easily, stayed hooked up, and slept on a bit of an angle that night, but not a problem, we were happy to be amongst the oranges, and was quiet except for the odd train going by in the distance, which we kinda like anyway.

Next day we wake to such a beauty day, orange trees all around us, and close to the office, where coffee and doughnuts were provided. I declined, watching my waist... LOL Our goals today were Polly  did laundry, I washed truck and trailer, that took care of the morning. Then we worked at making the trailer level, and unhooking, and went about the Walmart buying spree, as up-to now we had been eating out for the trip down.

Walmart's are interesting, you can learn much just by watching people. Who shops here can tell you what kind of place you are in. If you ask a few questions, most of the time information just flows like you can't explain here. People are very friendly, and helpful, with whatever they can help you with. Directions, places to see, best place to eat, just about any question you have people are willing to help. Oh and entertaining, there is always much going on right out front, and behind the scenes...
We make our way out of the store, and home with our groceries, and settle in to our home for a few days.

Rain and Wind that night makes for a broken sleep, but was nice to be inside where we were dry. Trailer was shaking around, but no thunder, just wind and rain. In the morning the clouds parted, and wind still a little but all was done here, and we get info that other places west of not so lucky, rain causes mud slides, and people are killed and some lost, boy Polly and I are lucky to be here.

As the day goes we get out and pick a few oranges, like usual you are driven to get the biggest and best, and we get into the trees, pushing to get that just right one, and before we know it our nice clean clothes have got black from the trees all over them. Polly not so happy about this, more laundry... LOL we get our 2 plus bags, you can take all you want, and by the time we left we had 3 bags of beauty oranges, and a bowl full on the counter. The best orange juice I have ever had is what we are having daily now.

Bakersfield as a town wasn't really a destination, we wanted to see Orange Grove RV,

and the oil fields were on my radar, but a trip down town gave another insight, pawn shops, and antique shops were a mainstay, and many people not working jobs, but working the streets. Not a place we felt safe, just not where we wanted to be. We went to the visitor center, the woman there was very helpful, and gave a us a very good map of the city, and tips at getting around, and what we might want to see. We ate at a restaurant that Guy Fieri, from the show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives recommended, and was good eats, but nothing fantastic. Down town didn't impress us much, so we made our way to look over the oil fields, and a short drive around.

We book another night as the forecast is for more rains, and we decide to stay till rain and wind is done. We make a trip to the museum, which is mostly outside, representing the way the city was in past years, small houses, and log cabins, and business, and court house and jail. was a nice day to look around Bakersfield.  We also go to the oil field on the edge of town, this was very impressive.
I knew of this area and wanted to see it myself, WOW! Never have I seen so many Pump-jacks in one place. I had researched it, and knew there was an oil field here, just didn't know what it would look like. Kinda reminds me of what some people feel when they look at a logging clear cut, it was like, wow, too much. On the other hand I marvelled at just how many holes the drilled, and why so many so close. Not knowing the industry I was just amazed. This is what has to be done to get what we need to do what we do, trucks, boats, cars, all that moves us, needs oil. Getting an education up close was good. We will remember this better than anything we could get out of a book, or off the internet.

After 4 days at Orange Grove, we make our way to Needles California, and stay a night there at a KOA RV park, was a nice place to stay, and met a couple that had the same kind of trailer as us, just a little longer. I knocked on the door in the morning, and asked if I could take a look inside, well step right in said the guy, with shaving lotion all over his face. He showed me all through his trailer, the wife he said was at he office. We talked for awhile, they come here every year, he said they had family close, so made it a good place for them to spend the winter. They were from Alberta, and this was just right for them. The trailer looked just like our inside, just a bigger bedroom, and a little different bathroom layout, all the same colours though, was kinda funny to see. I thanked him, and went on my way.

Trailers made by same manufacturer in B.C. 

I met another couple as we were about to leave, this time I was asking about a satellite dish called a tailgater, and boy did I get the right couple to talk with, they had been to Quartsite before, and to the RV show we plan to go to so they had much info about where to camp, and where to buy a tailgater, and the wife went and got the number, and info and wrote it all down for me, wow again, helpful like you never expect. They were nice, Bob was his name I think, can't remember hers. I gave them a card I had made up for times like this, our info on it if they wanted to connect with us. We finally pull out of the site, waving good by and still having a last chat with the guy who had same trailer as us, his wife was back, and as we drove by had a few words. Nice place maybe we should have stayed longer?

Next on our plan was Lake Havasu, for the Balloon Festival. No reservations this time, so just hoped we could find a spot, and we did for the night by the lake with no services, but found out everything was booked for the weekend, so we stayed a night, and decided to go to Parker for the next week, a place there should be easier to find.

Parker was just what we wanted, we checked out Buckskin Mountain State Park, was nice but no sites for today, so we moved down the road to La Pas County Park, and settled in for the next week, wanting to see the Balloon Festival in Havasu. The site we were given they called a group campsite, but was basic site, all gravel, but had water and electric, so we were happy for now, and on Monday they said we would have other options. Weather was warm, people friendly, and beer was cold.,so we settled in and got to know the area a little over the weekend, hoping that we would get a nicer site next week.

Parker is a small town, but has many services, all we needed, and on Sunday we needed a plug for our Hot water tank, as I noticed it was leaking down the side of the trailer when I went over to our neighbours to meet them. I opened the cover and saw the leak at a plastic plug, so out with the wrench to tighten it, and not so good, it was cracked, so broke and now where to get one on a Sunday? We took a ride into Parker, thinking not likely the RV place would be open, but to my surprise it was, and had everything I would need, and especially the plastic plugs, and some Teflon tape. Nice.

We planned to go to The Desert Bar that afternoon, learned about it talking with the neighbour, I had the parts I needed, so no hurry to fix it, lets go explore a little. What a road in, was 5 miles of rough, narrow gravel road to get there but was worth the ride as we got a look at many cars heading down, even one motor-home that was out of its element on this road, and many off road desert buggies. One cactus on top of a bluff as we drove in looked like a Cell Tower Polly said.

The bar was a treat, as was all open air with Solar panels for the roof , a band was playing, and food was available, and beer was flowing off ice, so was looked really cold.  The bar was busy, so Bosco and I made our way to a table where another couple were and asked to sit with them, while Polly went to order a couple burgers and beers for us.

We sat at a Trashy table... lol

We had to have a group pic by the bar...

We started to talk and I found out they were locals, and got the lay of the land as we talked. The bar was only open on weekends, and a Band was there weekends too. Dance floor was busy today, and band was good. They filled me in on the Balloon Festival, saying that held on weekend that always colder, and windy, so most likely balloons won't go up at all. Hmm, well that was a bummer I thought, hope they are wrong.

Bosco attracted much attention, and was very nice to be able to bring him where we were rather than leave him at the trailer, or in the car. People just love him, and he takes a pet good, but if one of us leave to go to the bathroom, he gets very on edge, waiting and watching for our return, to the point others notice, as he pays no attention to anyone while one of us is gone. Funny little guy he is.

We finish our burgers and a couple beer, and before the sun sets we make our way back down to the highway, and to our trailer. No traffic coming up this time, made it down much faster than up. Just a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Monday we got our new site, and did we get a gooder. Very happy with our new Diggs, as we have a lagoon on one side of us that we see many animals, birds and fish in and around, and on the other side we have huge lawn area and bathrooms close. Couldn't ask for better, we see the Colorado river from here, but not right close, so the noise of the open header boats is not as loud, and the Pirates Den pub and restaurant close too. We spent some time getting into our spot so we were just right, as would be here a week. Then a relax in the shade today, as the sun was hot, and the air was still. Home for a week.

Boy that week went by fast, now into our third week, and will soon be gone a month. Life just moves fast, and before you know it will be back on the island and get ready for our trip north.

Love this life we have chosen, especially the many changes we make as we go.