Desert Paradise!

From the Yosemite area, we headed directly south & east (with a stop in Bakersfield at the Sam's Club) to Barstow, CA & Laughlin, NV. This is DEFINITELY the desert! Sure glad we are doing these desert parks now - and not later this summer!

Roger broke out the shorts again - and our A/C really struggled to keep up - even though it was just in the high 80's/low 90's. When that sun starts beating down it is HOT! We made the mistake of trying to 'geby' with keeping the windows open & with the breeze (really it was wind) - but the high 80's/low 90's - dry heat or not, IT IS HOT!

Nice parks, considering what they have to work with - at least they don't have to mow!

From Laughlin we made our way north west to Pahrump/Desert Retreat. Aptly named, for sure! Literally out in the middle of nowhere . . . it is truly an oasis! We found luxury here that far exceeds what we are used to finding.

As you can tell, this is not your 'normal' KOA A-frame building! Everything is first-class, all facilities open 24-hours - complete with an on-duty uniformed security staff; this place even has a 6-lane bowling alley!









A full-fledged fitness/spa area, where you can even schedule a massage! Indoor and outdoor spa, two pools, waterfalls everywhere, roses in bloom . . . incredible!

This 'patio' area is actually at one of the sites, and it comes complete with an 'overhead mister' & a state-of-the-art BQ!







The waterfall & pool is just one of the pools. It looked mighty tempting, and we regretted not scheduling a couple of days 'off' here!





But the most 'over-the-top' area - for me, anyway - was the "Pet Area"! Yes, this is it! It is furnished with multiple dog washing facilities, fire hydrant - complete with a flushing mechanism to 'clean' the area after Fido makes use of the hydrant!



Out of this world!









But with only one night to enjoy, we headed north to Cedar City, UT. A travel day - that was going relatively well, until we were in the middle of 'nowhere Nevada' - on a long bridge over a gorge - when 'blam' - we blew a tire on the fifth wheel! With no where to pull over, we limped off the bridge and got off the side of the road. Not the best place to have to change a tire! But first Roger had to 'unwrap' it from the axle. When it blew, it also took a chunk out of the fifth wheel siding, but thankfully, the slide-out still works. We're just not as 'pretty' as we were!

Took about an hour out of our day - and then we discovered we 'lost' an hour when we crossed into Utah, for now we are in Mountain Time.

But all is not lost, for we spotted a billboard for a Cracker Barrel in St. George, UT! We felt like we had found a treasure! We don't normally stop for a lunch break, but as it was approaching 4:00 p.m. (and a scheduled conference call with the Home Office) - we decided to take advantage of this 'find'!

My chef salad arrived just in time for me to get 'on line' with the call - and I quietly 'munched' my lettuce & tomatoes while 'listening'. I purposely ordered a salad, so it wouldn't matter if I got 'delayed' - no problem with my food getting 'cold'. My mama didn't raise no dummy!

Finally pulled in to the campground at about 5:00 p.m., which was really 6:00 p.m. At least I didn't have to fix supper!

This morning Roger has already been & back from getting a new tire, so it's time to grab the clipboard and go to work.

Going . . . Back in Time!

When I had called to schedule our visit at the Stockton Delta KOA, the manager mentioned that they had a big group coming in and we should enjoy our time there, for there would be lots of interesting 'junk'. Not real sure just what he meant by that, but, always ready for a new adventure, we headed south.

Took time to make a stop at the Blue Beacon Truck Wash and got the snow & winter grime (that we picked up in Oregon) washed off.


As we pulled in to the KOA, we noticed a couple of 'old military jeeps' parked at the store, and quickly realized that the 'interesting junk' that the manager had mentioned was LOTS of old military vehicles! Our visit just happened to coincide with the beginning of the Military Vehicle Collectors of California annual 'rally' - aka HUGE swap meet. They virtually take over almost the entire park. We arrived on a Tuesday for two nights and each day saw more and more arrive.

If I hadn't known better I would have sworn we had sat down in the middle of 4077 M.A.S.H. - complete with "Hot Lips" Hullahan, for I looked out the window one time to see a blond, dressed in army fatigues, ride by on an old scooter of some kind. We even had an old 'staff' car, a few "MP" jeeps, - even an Army ambulance. I kept expecting to run into "Radar" or "Hawkeye Pierce"! There were 'half-tracs', jeeps fully equipped with guns (but I was assured no 'real' ammo) camoflauge tents, nets, everyone dressed in camos. . . it was quite a sight!
One of our days we drove just 12 miles 'around the loop' and did the review at one of our new conversion parks, Brannan Island. Both of these parks are right on the water and each operation has a full marina. Here we are in the middle of the state, and these waterways can take you clear out to the Pacific Ocean. It is quite the 'hot spot' as a summer water playground for the California suburbanites.

Then it was on to Yosemite - back to the mountains. Had a nice visit at Mariposa (Yosemite W) for one night, then we headed south just 40 miles to Coarsegold (Yosemite S). Had planned a three day stay here, so we could take a couple of days to rest - and visit Yosemite Ntl. Park.

The weather a bit on the cool side, and really so once we got into Yosemite. As we were driving the temp dropped into the 30's in the mountains (still lots of snow alongside the roads).


We were disappointed to find the road to the Mariposa grove of Sequoia redwoods was not opened yet, but we had an enjoyable day just driving in to the Yosemite Valley. I discovered very quickly that I had not dressed for the weather, and my bare toes and short sleeves found me a bit on the cool side. Everyone was bundled up, many in sock caps and gloves.

Back to the campground where we had our picnic lunch on our private 'deck' and then I made 'one too many' comments about "I really should do laundry" - and the next thing I knew, Roger was loading it up! So nothing to do, but do it! I'm always glad when it is done, but I hate the chore of doing it!

The cool temps have hung around and we closed up the trailer & turned on the heater early tonight. Think all this 'fresh air' is making me either very lazy or very tired! Good 'ol Marie Calender's chicken pot pies for supper tonight - just the thing for this cool evening! Cuddling up in my chair with a good book and my moose blanket is my idea of a 'wonderful' evening! Roger has his baseball game on, so he's happy.

Tomorrow will dawn bright and early and we head way south to Barstow, CA - our last park in California for a while. Nevada and Utah, here we come!

Mountains, Mountains & More Mountains!

This 'flat-land' girl is sure getting a bit tired of mountains!

We headed south out of Klamath Falls, Oregon into the Shasta & Trinity Mountains. Mt Shasta is indeed beautiful, still snow-covered and towering above everything in all its majestic glory.

Roger snapped this pic as he was driving. For some reason (known only to Roger) he would not take the time to pull in to one of the many pullover areas and take a really 'good' picture!

Our first stop back in California was Mt. Shasta City - and thankfully the temperatures are a bit warmer. Still in jackets, but at least we don't need snow boots!


This is a view of Mt Shasta from the KOA. The snow on the mountain kind of blends into the clouds a bit. At least one nice thing about our walk-abouts at the parks, is the natural beauty that surrounds us. Although this park is somewhat an 'urban' park, you would never know it, once you get into the park.

Lots of improvement in process here. This has been an 'at risk' park (in danger of losing the franchise for standards), but we were pleased to see that they are making great strides in bringing this property back to where it should be. Located in such a beautiful area, one wonders why it was neglected for so long.

But it is on to Trinity Lake for us. The MapQuest directions indicated it was only 54 miles, but after a bit more 'research' - like talking with the locals - we decided that it would be best for us to go south on I-5 and then turn west at Reddiing. Better roads - and less steep mountain grades, we were told. OK! that sounds good to me! WRONG!!!!! We were told it would take only about 1 1/2 hours to drive from Mt. Shasta City to Trinity Lake. We pulled out at 11:00 a.m. . . . . . and arrived at Trinity Lake at 2:30! And once we left Redding, it was nothing but twists and turns, up - some down - but mostly up! Part of the problem was that we got behind an oversize load - and about an hour of that was spent going 10 miles!

Once we turned north out of Weaverville, still climbing, we, once again, found snow lining the roads. Not as much as in Oregon, but still snow! Arrived to find the campground still very much in their winter mode - between managers - and nothing much done to get ready for the season. Much of this park is on land owned by the National Forest Service - and it is VERY rustic. One thing for sure, you definitely want to be here to drive this far - and these roads - to get here!

With such a large park - and so much ground to cover - we did part of our 'walk-about' as a 'drive-about'. At one point we stopped and got out to walk one of the tenting 'loops' and spotted the lake. A short walk through the forest - lots of pines, but peppered with redwoods, and Roger snapped this shot. The lake is very low right now - but rising fast, they say - but it is ever so blue.

We were joined - or more accurately . . . observed. . . by two mule deer. Guess they had been down to the water to drink, for dusk was approaching. We spotted another grazing alongside one of the roads. Visiting with one of the campground staff, the next morning, she indicated she had to wait on a herd of elk to cross the road on her way home the evening before. Wildlife abounds here, and I'm sure this park is a favorite spot for California urbanites when the weather is warmer.

The next morning, we headed DOWN the mountains, and I guess our slow trek UP had saved me from the motion sickness that I'm becoming much too familiar with this spring! Not so on this leg, as I was scrambling for the Dramamine before we were half way down.

We pulled into a station for fuel once we hit the Redding city limits. As I was waiting in line at the restroom, I heard a man say to the girls at the register, "Hey girls, when this big RV gets through filling up, you can retire!" He's not too far wrong, with diesel going for $4.29 a gallon; our tab for that stop was $130! Once again, we are reminded that there is no way we could travel like this on our own nickel.

From Redding to Shingletown (near Mt Lassen) was yet another steady uphill grade (9%), but MUCH less curvy! However, with the temperature in Redding at 78 degrees, the truck begin to warm up a bit, and we shut off the A/C and opened the windows. A full 10 degrees cooler once we arrived at the campground, but DEFINITELY better than in the 30's! A beautiful park - as near to perfection as we've found - but we're finding our 'tired' is beginning to catch up with us.

Planning to shift to a lower gear and slow down for a few days, to let us catch our breath a bit. Laundry time again this morning and then we head south a bit more to Oroville, CA. After that we will spend two nights in the Sacramento area, where we'll hit the Sam's Club and stock our freezer for the next month - and then two nights in the Stockton/Lodi area.

Too Far North!

Our trek today made us realize that we are DEFINITELY too far north!

Roger decided to program our destination into "Sylvia" - and her routing took us a completely different way than "Twylah". So, after a bit of discussion, we pulled off to the side of the road to do a bit more research. Out came the "Mountain Directory" to check out the two routes. "Twylah" actually 'won' this argument and we headed east from Medford, Oregon on Highway 140, which took us through the Rouge Mountains, along the Lake of the Woods into Klamath Falls.

As we drove, we noticed the snow up on the mountains, and commented about the distinct 'snow line'. Before we knew it, we were there! One snow frosted tree is beautiful, but thousands are indescribable! We hit the summit at about 4800 feet and drove for miles with snow piled high on both sides, and snow flakes coming down. And they call this 'spring' in Oregon!

Thankfully as we descended the snow thinned to only patches, but the temperature was a COLD 35 degrees by the time we reached Klamath Falls! We made a supply stop at the WalMart as we came in to town and I definitely looked out of place with my bare toes & sandals; Everyone else was in coats & snow boots!

We discovered upon our arrival at the campground, that they had awoken to 3" of snow this morning, but it was gone by the time we got there - thank goodness! Luckily this is a small park and the walk-about was completed quickly (after I put some socks on!)

Tomorrow we head south - but only 80 some miles to Mount Shasta City. I have a feeling it's gonna be a cold next few days before we get back to 'decent' weather!

Trees of Mystery - the Redwoods!

This is what Roger has been waiting for - the Redwoods! His Aunt Jewel & her husband, Les, lived many years in the town of Fortuna (just south of Eureka) and Les worked for the logging industry. They are both long gone, but their stories of these trees still live on in Roger's memories. The tiny speck of yellow by the tree is Roger - and this tree is regarded as some of the 'new growth'!
As we left Eureka, we wound our way up the coast through groves of these trees to Crescent City. As we took a 'side trip' on the Drury Parkway, we encountered a herd of elk grazing alongside the road. Their antlers are just sprouting and are still covered in velvet.

It was a very cool, wet Sunday morning, and although we miss the fellowship of our friends at church while we are on the road, walking among these 'giants' was truly a spiritual experience, as you realize that some of these trees were actually here even before Christ walked this earth! On up the road we stopped at the "Trees of Mystery" (which is a tourist attraction), but we still enjoyed it. A golf cart took up part way up the mountain, where we caught a Sky Train to the top. One got a real sense of just how tall these trees are as you glided through the forest.

After enjoying the vistas, we returned to the midway point and then 'hiked' our way down to see the trees up close.

The Brotherhood Tree, for example, stands 297 feet tall and is 19 foot in diameter! I didn't mind having my picture taken in front of it; made me feel REALLY small!
As you read about these trees and learn that they do not have a tap root, but their roots spread out just under the ground, one is amazed to realize what an 'engineering feat' this is that they don't just 'topple over' from their own weight! When they do fall, the tree continues to adapt and spur new growth, with new trees growing right out of the old ones. Several will sprout right along the length of the fallen tree making for very straight 'rows'.

In the Trees of Mystery is one that has been seen on Ripley's "Believe It or Not". Two trees (each exceeding 10 foot in diameter) grew from one of the fallen giants. Testing on the 'fallen' tree dates it back 3,000 years - and the root structure is still sound! The two 'new' trees roots just wrapped around the fallen tree until they found soil. Truly amazing!

Before we were through, Roger had hiked me down one path, up another one - and what goes up must come down - so back down again. I was one tired girl, although I enjoyed every minute of it!

But back to work we must go, so back in the yellow truck! Just a short drive and we caught a glimpse of the beach at Crescent City, complete with a lighthouse! Pulled into the KOA just north of the city to find it nestled in its own grove of Redwoods. This is my kind of campground! Lots of tent sites and kabins plunked down in the natural setting. This is camping!
You get a real 'feel' for the history as you see the 'stumps' of some of the 'old growth' that has been logged out of the area. Data shows that this area was logged from 1900 -1910. The 'young sprouts' surrounding the stump were left to continue growing.


This is all right on the campground property - and it makes for some awesome landscaping!

Oops - the time has slipped up on me! Time to hit the shower and start the day!

Eureka!

The highway has led us to the northern California coastal town of Eureka, right in the heart of Redwood country. We had a very nice visit with the staff at the KOA, (but it's still cold!). Since this park is owned and operated by a local church, we 'compacted' our review into one day (Saturday), and had a nice visit with the staff over dinner at a local restaurant that evening.

The park manager, Rebekah, just happened to have an 18-month old son (Jeremiah) - that is just 4 days older than our Hayden. Roger tried to get him to 'give him five' - but that he wouldn't do it. However, he did consent to 'knock knuckles'. Made us both a bit homesick for our kids!

Sunday morning, we headed over for breakfast at the Samoa Cookhouse. This is the only surviving 'cookhouse' in the West and has been in operation since the late 1800's. The lower floor of the building houses the kitchen and dining room. During its prime, three 'squares' a day was served up for the 300-400 hungry loggers. (I did the math . . . that's 1200 meals a day!)

But it's 'my kind' of cooking. You eat what's being served - or go hungry! The tables are set 'family style' and one eats until they have had their fill. A good cookhouse never sent a man away saying, "I could have eaten more!" The loggers could tell what day of the week it was by the menu. Our breakfast started off with biscuits & gravy, juice & coffee or tea. Then followed thick slabs of French toast with link sausage. And in true fashion, both Roger and I could honestly say, "We couldn't have eaten more!"

In reading some of the history of this interesting place, we found that up until 1915, only 'single females' were employed as servers, and they resided in rooms on the second floor of the cookhouse. The loggers lived in kabins in the area that is now the parking lot. The lumber mill operation sat behind the cookhouse.

Meals were (and still are) served at long tables covered with oil cloth. There were no "reserved seats", but some of the men had places, where through habit, they sat, and no one dared to sit in that place. At times a newcomer would inadvertantly sit down and refuse to move, which often ended in a fist fight over the matter. Table manners took a back seat here; rarely was food passed - the boarding house 'reach' having preference.

One of the most important employees was the baker. He turned out hundreds of doughnuts, cakes, cookies and pies - and was a favorite with the kids of Samoa. Occasionally a cookhouse ended up with a 'bad' cook, which they referred to as a 'boiler'. On rare occasions, the lumber yard steward would find hotcakes nailed to his office door - a sure sign it was time for a new cook! (Now that's a mental picture!)

According to the recollections of one of the 'girls' who worked there from 1900 to 1910, the favorite
'game' during their free time was called 'pot-sliding'. An old chamber pot was thrown down the hall like a bowling ball. She remembers that when it got too noisy from the laughter and rumbling of the 'crockery', the superintendant would yell up the stairs to 'cut out that noise!' (Times haven't really changed, have they!)

When longshoremen were loading ships down at the dock, 30 extra tables were set. If the logging train came in from the woods late, the cookhouse stayed open until everyone was fed. It's told that once the management decided that the men crowding into the dining room for a meal was too boisterous. So, a turnstile was installed to slow the speed of the crowding men. This wasn't well received by the men, and they nearly broke the leg of the supervising man standing beside the turnstile. The new gadget, it was decided was a flop, and was immediately discarded.

The girls were often targets for jokes from the men. Often they returned to the kitchen to find a soup ladle hanging from their apron bows. But they got even. Cups were always turned upside down over the saucers to keep them free from dust or insects (they still are). Their favorite 'revenge' was too fill a cup with water and invert it over the saucer. When the unsuspecting victim picked up their cup, he would receive a lap full of cold water. But, occasionally the wrong fellow would get the cold 'bath!'

A very enjoyable morning, as we lingered over breakfast, visited with the friendly staff and enjoyed all the old pictures and relics from that time.

And the Winner Is . . . HIghway 1!

Our California experience continues, as we begin our expedition through the northern half of this beautiful state. Using the KOA at Willits, CA, as our base camp, we headed back south to Cloverdale, right in the heart of Sonoma County, also known as "Wine Country". We are being blessed with beautiful sunny days, although still a bit chilly at times.

One thing we have discovered, is that there is not a straight state highway to be found up here! Once we left Highway 101, we twisted and turned our way to the KOA. Another one built on a hillside (imagine that!), but with the use of one of their golf carts, we got our 'ride-about' done in no time. I do believe every site here has a million dollar view.
Even the friendly neighbor hood deer posed for pictures as they wandered through the camp ground. Of course, with the novelty of the deer, comes a challenge for the campground owner: trying to grow flowers that the deer won't eat! The lavender family seems to be one of their least favorite and, in a pinch, she relies on silk flowers in strategic spots. Funny, they even try to eat those!

The 'day-trips' make for a long day, though, and it was 7:30 before we pulled in to 'home'.

Back in Santa Cruz, Roger had discovered one of the trailer tires was wearing unevenly and had changed to the spare. Since we have some time here in Willits, I was checking the web to see if a tire place could be found. Didn't find a tire place listed with the Chamber of Commerce, but I did find the history of Willits, and discovered that this is the 'home' of Seabiscuit, the famous race horse of the 30's/40's fame. Willits is also the 'Gateway to the Redwoods'.

A pretty little town - and we did find a tire place - complete with several four-legged mascots in residence. One seemed to be the 'favored' as he shadowed every move his owner made. Roger mentioned the 'constant companion', and learned that he was a "McDonald's nut!" That dog loves to go through the McDonald's drive-in window. Roger asked what his 'favorite' was, only to be told, "Anything that comes out that window!"

While surfing the web, I also discovered information about the "Skunk Train". It got its name for the locals say "You can smell it long before you see it." They are actually diesel powered logging trains that are now being used for the tourism business. During the summer season one runs out of Willits, but for now, the only option is one out of Fort Bragg (only about 33 miles from Willits). So I got the bright idea that we could 'drive over' one day, take the 4 hour train ride, and get back in time to to the review here at Willits.

With that in mind, we got up Tuesday morning, with our destination the Manchester Beach KOA (via Fort Bragg, so we could check out the train). Well, that is the LONGEST 33 miles I have ever traveled! It twists and turns so much that I do believe it takes 10 miles to go a mile! It took us well over an hour to drive that 33 miles, and by the time we reached Highway 1, I was well on my way to being one 'car sick' gal! We also traveled through so many redwoods (they are beautiful), that we decided to scrap the plans to go on that train ride! Maybe we'll get back here 'in season' one year and catch the one out of Willits.

After reaching HIghway 1, we turned south, only to find the scenery changed (to ocean & rocky cliffs), but the up and down, curvy road did not! Thankfully we were not pulling our trailer! I can not imagine doing that stretch of road with a 38-ft trailer hooked on behind. There were some beautiful views - the kind that postcards are made of - but by the time we reached the KOA, I was 'green' and so thankful to be on a bit of 'flat' land. It's one of those times that you wouldn't 'miss for the world' - and are glad you got to see it - but you are definitely NOT looking forward to having to do it again!

Another beautiful KOA - and we were so impressed with the native trees. Made for lots of nice shady campsites! I do believe they are like snowflakes - no two alike!


From the campground I spied a lighthouse (right across the bay), but the road that took us to the Arena Point Lighthouse was 7 miles long! Very picturesque! I made the comment to Roger, that if we couldn't return to the Canadian northeast, this was about as close to it (as far as scenic and unspoiled) as we could get.

We decided to return 'home' another way (reminds me of the Wise Men) . . . can't get completely away from the curvy roads and steep grades, but it was a bit more 'gentle' than Highway 1!

A stop at the WalMart in Ukiah, along with supper at Denny's, and for a second day in a row, we pulled in to 'home' about 7:30, just in time to catch the West Coast 'feed' (Oklahoma time) of American Idol.

Thankfully, Wednesday will be an easier day, as we don't have to drive anywhere. This is a great park and will make for an easy 'walk-about' and short paperwork. I may even get some laundry done.