A Definite Change of Scenery!

What a change!

I've only ever traveled in southern California once in my life and I had forgotten just how mountainous it is! Now the Northeast has mountains, but they are all green - or anyways - when we saw them! But as we traveled to Needles, then south to Blythe, then west & south to Niland, winding our way to San Diego and then Pomona . . . we've had mountains as our constant companion.

We took a 'scenic route' to Niland (Glamis North KOA) via "Mecca". It had us winding through rock covered hills and bluffs. With the wildflowers in bloom, it had a beauty all its own. I kept thinking we should stop and snap a picture of the KOA rig among the rocky landscape, but I didn't think Roger would agree to climb up a hill just to take a picture. Of course, I'm also imaging all the 'critters' lurking among those rocks in this warm desert climate - like snakes, scorpions, & spiders. Yuck!

The Glamis North KOA is still under massive reconstruction, but it is going to be awesome when it is completed. The owners here bought the old, run down Imperial Hot Mineral Spa and are redoing it all. When completed, this 'desert oasis' will have 4 swimming pools, 5 hot tubs, and 4 Roman tubs! Right in the middle of the park is a huge natural hot mineral spring that pours out 300 gallons a day. The water is used to fill some of the pools with the mineral water, and the excess runs to the Salton Sea.

We are still amazed that people choose to spend their winter months out here in the middle of nowhere! Of course, the weather is warm - but it is MILES to the nearest town/civilization! It seemed so odd to see these little 'grannies' running around on four-wheelers, but that is the primary mode of transportation there. Forget golf carts . . . Grandma & Grandpa spend their days four-wheeling in the desert! I don't think that would be 'my cup of tea', but it obviously is for a lot of people.

Roger was really enjoying the lack of traffic and the wide open spaces, but then we hit San Diego and Pomona (LA). We 'thought' we chose a good day to arrive in the suburbs of LA (Sunday) - but if that was a 'slow' day, I dread today. At least we won't roll until about 11:30 this morning and we are headed east a bit - AWAY from LA.

We've completed 5 campground reviews so far, with 3 more to do before we take the Easter weekend off. We'll spend it camped in Lake Isabella, CA, which is about 40 miles east of Bakersfield. We've already made contact with Roger's cousins there and plan to get together and catch up. We haven't seen them in about 10 years - so it should be an enjoyable weekend.