Friday was a very long day . . . making our way across California from Visalia to Santa Margarita. No wrong turns this time.
We passed the spot where James Dean met his demise - a 'claim to fame' that everyone still talks about.
Obviously the San Joaquin Valley is where most of our produce is grown and I think we've about seen a bit of everything! Miles and miles of fields - but then occasionally you come up on fields of oil rigs. They look like a bunch of 'bugs' sitting around, ready to pounce! In Oklahoma we are used to seeing them 'scattered around', sitting in the middle of a residential development or along the highway. But here they are all grouped together. The first we spotted in the Lost Hills area along Highway 46, then another as we drove north on Saturday on Highway 101.
Our trek of 176 miles on Friday took us almost to the coast, turning south at Paso Robles to Santa Margarita. Beautiful country here, and the park is literally right in the mountains. I always feel we need a 4-wheeler to navigate this park. It's big on kabins and tent sites. However, the bathhouses are such a trek - straight up - that I put on my 'secretary' hat and let Roger do the actual inspection of these bath houses. My joints have already started complaining about this damp ocean air, and stairs are just not something they want to do!
Wildlife abounds here and I could have sat and watched the ground squirrels all day long. The only site that 'fits' our big trailer is right on top of one of the lower moutains, and one feels like you are sitting on top of the world. The manager here tells us that it's not unusual to see a hawk swoop down to grab a ground squirrel, only to have a mountain lion leap and grab the hawk! Of course, one has to be further back in the property . . . not anyplace our yellow truck can go (although I think Roger would try!) Hands down, this park is the least developed of our 115, and it has a very faithful following.
Saturday found us heading north to the Santa Cruz area. Since we had not approached it from the south before, we decided to let our GPS, "Sylvia", lead the way. She did a fine job till we were almost there. For some reason, she directed us past the exit that said "Santa Cruz" and sent us two miles further north, only to have us basically make a big U-turn to get back to Highway 183. Go figure. Took us through a couple miles of busy commercial development; I commented that maybe she thought we needed to stop for a hamburger or something, since it was lunch time!
Then, ignoring the directions in the KOA Directory that stated to "exit at San Andreas Road and go 3.5 miles west", Roger blindly followed her through another very populated residential area that was definitely not designed for 38 foot fifth wheels! A VW bug would have been much more suited to those streets! When will we (more specifically Roger!) ever learn!
GPS gadgets are great . . . sometimes . . . but they need some way to program them that you are towing a behemoth!
Oh, I almost forgot . . . romaine lettuce and artichokes! As we traveled up Highway 101, we passed fields and fields of romaine lettuce! Quite a sight! What was even more picturesque was the fields that were bustling with farm hands harvesting it. (Oh, how their backs must ache!) Then we hit Castroville, which proudly advertises themselves as the "Artichoke Capitol of the World"! There was the Artichoke Restaurant, where you could get 'deep fried artichokes" (those folks must have come from Oklahoma!). Then there was the Artichoke Motel . . . wonder if all the rooms have artichoke themed decor?
We began seeing the road side produce markets and I didn't get excited about that until we hit the fields of strawberries! Right in the middle of harvest for those lucious berries, with plants so heavy with fruit that you could see the red as we drove by. Made Roger promise to make a stop on Sunday as we are out and about with only the truck. Think we'll buy a 'flat' and I'll work them up and put them in the freezer! Yum!
We are always treated like royalty here at the Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA. It's owned by KOA, and the manager, Sally Phillips (no relation), is one of our favorites. We know her from our time in the North East when she managed the Niagara Falls property. She & her staff greet us like long lost family and furnish us with a golf cart to do the review. This very large park is a bustling city in its own right, with so much fun stuff for kids. The 'newest' thing to come along is the mechanical bull ride! Know our grandkids would love this place!
Had a nice visit with an international guest as we did our 'ride around'. He was asking for 'travel guide' advice about what to see and do in California. Roger kept saying that he could go just about 'anywhere' in that small CruiseAmerica motorhome they were traveling in. Finally the guy grinned and said, "It may seem small to you. . . but it's HUGE to me!" :>)
Up early again today - but must get busy and finish up some reports. Have a day trip to the Moss Landing KOA this afternoon, which should be a breeze as it is a KOA Express. Roger wants to be back in time to watch the OU girls play at 4:00. After all, we have our priorities!
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