We headed east from Pomona (LA), thankful to get out of the traffic. Arrived in Banning about an hour later, and found this area much more to our taste. Situated at the base of the mountains (is there anything else around here?) it was a nice respite to the 'big city' parks of the last two days.
Visiting with the managers and talking about our favorite place to shop (Sam's Club) - and she mentioned, "Oh, you'll go right by one as you go back on I-10 on your way to Santa Margarita!" I went back and checked my maps closer, and sure enough, we have to back track. Should have come to Banning first, then Pomona and we would have saved ourselves some travel time. (Will tuck that info away for next year).
Didn't get to Sam's, but we did navigate through the traffic again and found ourselves climbing mountains once again. Then, of course, we were in the 'valley' and agriculture is 'king' here. It would be interesting to know what all is growing - we're guessing lots of grapes & almonds. We spotted a few orange trees, but found out later that the trees are mostly almonds and pistachios.
A long day (325 miles) from Banning to Santa Margarita, but at the end of the day we were camping on top of the world. This park has literally been carved out of a mountain. Had our first 'frustrated words' of the season when Roger decided to take Highway 41 to cut off some miles. As we made a turn there was a very large sign that advised vehicles towing trailers to turn back. Rather than stop and back up a bit, Roger kept going (of course). Just when I was picturing us 'stuck' on some hairpin curve, he found a place to make a U-turn and we headed back to the 'road most traveled.' It added about 25 miles to our day, but I felt much better. It did make for a pretty 'silent' 25 extra miles though! By the time we arrived at the park, we were ready to park and crash. Our site was right on the top of the hill overlooking the park, with a nice cool breeze blowing.
Our neighbors were the nicest couple (Bob & Joan) from Visalia and we had enjoyed chatting with them. Their 3 grandkids were coming to go fishing with Grandpa. We even got our 'dog' fix by scratching the ears of their blue tick coon hound.
The next day we opted to use the truck, for the park was too vertical and too spread out for our liking. Roger was having a ball with all the twisty roads; meanwhile I was getting green around the gills. That's as close to 'off roading' as I care to go, thank you very much! This park has had poor reviews the past few years, but it is always a delight to find it much improved. Makes our job so much easier. Very nice manager in place and hopefully it will only improve.
We had allowed two nights there after our long drive, and I think we relaxed a bit too much, for when we pulled out of the park Thursday morning, neither one of us could remember just how to get back to Highway 101. Took a wrong turn, realized we didn't recognize anything after about 5-6 miles, turned around and finally discovered we had to go south, before we could go north.
Traveled only state highways to get to Visalia, and, as always, Roger gets behind the slowest vehicle on the road. He finally got clearance to pass 'grandpa', and was trucking along at the legal limit of 55 for our rig . . . and then I mentioned that I could sure use a rest stop! Of course, he just had to remind me, "I just got past that guy, and now you have to have to stop! You're killing me!" (There are days when a motor home would be so much more convenient!)
As we pulled in to the Visalia KOA, red and yellow flowers were in bloom everywhere! It just made one smile. Very nice, well cared for park here - and we spent quite a bit of time visiting with the owner and managers . . . so much that it was about 5:30 before we wrapped up our walk-about.
I have been trying to wear out a bothersome urinary tract infection since Sunday that just wasn't going away, so I gave up and we found the local Urgent Care Center that was open until 8:00 p.m.
This is one of the 'challenges' of the road that can be a real pain (no pun intended). However, we caught them on a slow evening and I walked right in. Was out in 30 minutes, but then it took us over an hour waiting at Walgreens to get my scripts filled. Course, all this cost Roger time away from the NCAA basketball, but as always, he was a good sport about it. I rewarded him by making his favorite supper when we got back - nachos.
When the nurse practitioner learned what we did for a living, she shared that I needed to take the meds for only 3 days, but she wrote the script for 9 days, so I would have extra for the next time, without having to hassle with finding a clinic. Wise woman with a head on her shoulders.
Friday morning we got a call from Roger's cousin, Larry, inviting us to 'camp' in their driveway so we wouldn't have to drive back and forth the 40+ miles from Lake Isabella over the weekend. We called the park to alert them of the change of plans - and headed to Bakersfield. We have a lovely spot; our doorway opens right to their backyard gate, and our rig fits right in with their fifth wheel and the inlaws motor home (they have a big place, with 2 driveways).
When supper time rolled around, they took us over to . . . the Bakersfield RV Resort . . . where the restaurant serves up a fish fry on Friday nights. Now I'm not a fish lover, but my rule of thumb is to 'go with the locals' - and I have to admit it was delicious! Very nice rv park - wish it was a KOA! And, needless to say, we felt right at home.
Roger & Larry are off to the Quick Lube this morning to have the fuel filter changed in the truck. Who knows what the weekend will bring. Stay tuned.
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