March 13, 2010 (Saturday)
The Visalia KOA was quiet and cozy. Our neighbor had a large motor home with a 16-ft. trailer in tow. Curious about what lived inside, in the morning we heard him starting up some sort of vintage vehicle and out rolled a 1929 Ford Woody with surfboard attached (see photo). After the requisite Starbucks stop in Tulare, we headed south on 99. The scenery improved considerably as we rolled by more agricultural landscapes, especially going through Delano where grape vineyards proliferate. Passing through Bakersfield, we then crossed the Tehachapis which were shrouded in dark clouds with some patches of snow on the heights. We then passed Boron (where there is a street called Twenty Mule Team Drive, harking back to the “Lone Ranger” commercials) and Edwards AFB and then joined up with Hwy 395 which eventually took us to Adelanto where there is an airfield with easily fifty or more planes the size of 737’s parked beside large hangers. A bit farther we came to two seemingly brand new, enormous commercial buildings that appeared to be unoccupied and a large sign “Global Access International Freight.” (I’ll have to Google them to see what gives.) Eventually we passed Victorville State Prison then joined Hwys 18 and 247 which lead us through Apple Valley and arrived in Joshua Tree at around 3:30. I had researched RV parks prior to our trip and planned to stay at one called “Joshua Tree Lake and Campground.” Their internet site is a veritable silk purse that cleverly disguises the ugly reality of the sow’s ear you discover upon arrival. With nary a Joshua Tree in sight, only a few pathetic cactus plants, a couple of buildings in need of repair and a very hardscrabble “park,” we decided to head into Joshua Tree itself to try to find a site, even though the rangers told us at the entrance that all sites were full. After a very picturesque drive through what is a very beautiful and interesting park, and finding no sites as we were forewarned, we headed to Indio on Hwy 10 to locate an RV park. We tried a few places but none had openings. The Indio-Palm Springs area is much more upscale than we anticipated. With gated communities behind cement walls of luscious bougainvillea, exclusive Del Webb developments, RV estates where every tenant has a 50-ft. luxury motor home, we realized that life in the southern California desert was the dream locale for the well-healed. Having few other options, we found the parking lot of the Spotlight 29 Casino the most hospitable place available and there spent a quiet night in our cozy van.
What an unexpected treat to see the Woody! Was he headed to a car show of some sort? I have friends who have been driving around the country in their RV and usually make it a habit of staying in the parking lot of casinos. The food inside is usually good and less expensive than a restaurant would be. Most of them let you stay for free. They also look up the Senior Center's and go there if they are in the area for lunch. They like getting to know the locals. They've also hit a few "cow's ears"... Sounds like you're having an enjoyable time so far! How's the weather?
ReplyDeleteIt is so wonderful to hear from you here but even better to hear your voice on our answering machine today when we arrived home from a wonderful day of delivering baby goats! So far there are 10 babies and still 5 more mama's due to deliver. Why we ever stopped raising goats is a mystery but then again I'm sure my perspective is flawed as I currently have the luxury of visiting and not the tedium of their daily care. Still I think I'd love the life of a farmer ~ I can only pray that God will want that path for me and it will happen one day.
ReplyDeleteI was worried about you when I did not see any communication here but I'm glad to know that it was merely due to the lack of Internet service and not due to any difficulties on your journey.
We love you and hope to read more soon.