Nov 06, 2016
Back in the sun and heat
We left Bakersfield at 8AM under the new time change. So much pollution or maybe just cloud cover but it did get worse and we wondered if there might be a fire nearby.
We traveled east via the Tehachapi pass and stopped somewhere in Lancaster to pee the three girls 😀
The drive went quickly and this was our welcome to the desert area.  Interesting to watch the work being done on the new windmill.
The Mohave Desert where a number of large aircraft are stored.
The giants.
In behind the smaller work bees.
Just down the road road a sea of water…..no, actually a sea of solar panels. Both the sun and the wind are being harvested in this valley.
The descent into the San Bernadino area.
I knew there had been a fire but was this recent?
Very interesting smooth hills at the base of the mountains.
Where these pushed up because of variations of the earth or where they worn smooth by the wind over the years?
The pollution appeared once we descended into the valley. Los Angeles was less than 60 miles ahead.
We had not been on I10 for long when we passed this accident. It had just happened, the police had not yet arrived. Colin believes that this was the result of an unsuccessful merge. A big ouch!
Welcome to Palm Springs.
Not such a great welcome as the rest area was closed for repairs, although nothing appeared to be happening. Most frustrating, as all the girls need to go. We finally pulled into one of the very very very few truck stops ( like two ) we had encountered since leaving Bakersfield. We have always had this problem in the LA area, no place to be able to pull in with a 60 foot length to fuel up unless it is a proper truck stop. Finally found a Pilot that gave us an additional 3 cents off as we are Good Sam members. We paid 2.869 per gallon and we were near empty and took almost 72 gallons.
While Colin fueled the RV, I fed the girls. Then he took them next door to a Wendy’s to pee while I moved the RV ahead so that another truck could come behind and start to fuel up. Sadly there was no place for us to pull over so that Colin and I could eat. Sigh, I was hungry. I grabbed a piece of my 10 year old cheddar and we carried on. The good news is that this exit allowed us to simply cross over I10 and head into Desert Hot Springs. We are spending the next week at the Passport America Catalina Spa RV Resort. It was 89F when we checked in 😆
I had been quoted $22.50 per night but it turned out that that was in the lower area with only 30 amps.
The upper area is $27.50 per night but includes sites that are larger and have 50 amps. We were told to just find a site we liked and to set up and get back to the office with our site number.
It turns out that the upper area was pretty much empty and we could park anywhere we wanted to and with our backs to the sun…..it was 89F when we checked in at 2PM.
The sunset only got better but I did not bring the camera for our dusk walk.
We had a great walk. The girls seem happy here. It will be very hot over the week we are here, but we don’t have to run the A/C the entire time due to our strategic positioning. It was a bittersweet walk as we stopped and chatted with another camper. I noticed that they were from Alberta. It turns out that they were from Rosedale, Alberta and knew both my father, Albert, and my uncle, Andy. Such a small world. I walked away in tears as it brought my past back with my father in the many vacations we had in Rosedale. Dad’s family was well known in the area.
One never knows where the road will lead you, nor whom you will meet not to mention what wonderful friends you will make along that road. Life is to be enjoyed each and every day and to the fullest. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Our day took us 225 miles. Nice to be in one spot for the next week.
You don’t need to remind me……those final Napa posts are next 😀
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The Blue Cut fire was recent (late August) and homes were lost and destroyed. Just before the Blue Cut Fire was the Pilot Fire which burned down the back side of the mountain from Lake Arrowhead towards the area of the Blue Cut Fire. No home were lost in the Pilot Fire, however, it was a stressful time for many living on that side of the lake where they had mandatory evacuations. We did not have evacuations on my side of the lake, and watched each day as the helicopters took on water from our lake to fight the fire. This was the third fire in our area since 2003 and the first where no homes were lost. Very grateful. Enjoy the desert, you are there at a great time of the year.
Hi Contessa:
While in the area you may want to take the gondola ride up the hill just west of Palm Springs, when we went there folks were up there with snow boards. It was just above freezing when we were at the top. Bring your sweaters, it was a break from the hot weather!
Love Catalina Spa have been there a few times. We like to lower area as we only need 30 amps and prefer the lower pool and spa. A nice doggie Play area there as well, enjoy the area.
You’re in one of my fav parts of the country. My Aunt Jean lives in nearby Hemet. Love the windmills! Relax and enjoy!
Looks like you are making good use of your time. Enjoy!