2012-13 Journey: Calfornia, Here We Come

California, Here We Come!

Finally heading west to California, we traveled on RT 118, the 'scenic route' which was hilly and winding. We saw signs warning of "loose livestock on the road." Thankfully, didn't encounter any. It was extremely windy, and tumbleweed blew across the road, piling up against the fences. When the road dipped down, there were signs warning of sudden flooding. And, in the dips there were rain gauges with measures up to 5', to let travelers know how deep the water was. Fortunately, we didn't see any flooding,--just the wind.

We stopped at a I-10 rest area for the night, and in the morning entered Mountain Time. Here, the speed limit was 80 mph! Cars and trucks whizzed by us, but we kept to a moderate 65 mph. Our experience throughout America is that too many drivers will exceed the posted speed limits especially on the Interstates. We stopped in El Paso at the Planet Fitness to exercise. This was a gym that we had stopped at last year when we traveled this way. We left, and were almost out of El Paso when we saw a terrible accident on the other side of the highway. A tractor trailer, a police car, and 2 or 3 cars were involved, and they were crushed! We had to keep going, so we never learned what the injuries were. New Mexico was next.

We stopped for the night in Las Cruces NM, and in the morning our batteries were dead. They were all the original batteries, so it was not surprising that in the cold weather, we couldn't start the VIEW. We called AAA, who arrived fairly quickly, and after we got started, we headed to a RV dealer which was fortunately close by. These were speciality batteries, and we had to wait for a while before they got our new ones. We left, but didn't travel for long. It was so windy that the VIEW was being blown all over the highway. We stopped at the next Walmart we saw, and the parking lot slowly became crowded with other RVs and tractor trailers who also stopped to get out of the wind. Even walking across the parking lot was difficult. There was sand blowing around, too. No matter the skill of a driver, mistakes or carelessnes of another can involve anyone. The American Vagabonds believe in prudent and defensive driving.

The next day, after the wind calmed down, we crossed the Continental Divide. We decided to leave the interstate again, and follow a state route. We entered the Sonaran Desert National Monument and went through a small Indian village, Casa Blanca, which appeared to be very poor. The homes were small, with dirt yards and there were piles of trash in the yards. We passed a cemetery that had mounds above the ground--instead of burying in the ground. It seemed a bit unsettling, to see all those mounds with flowers and crosses on them. This was part of the AK-Chin Indian Reservation.

Near Gila Bend, we went by the Solana Generating Station, a solar producing electrical plant with a 250 mega watt capacity. When it is complete in 2013, it will produce enough electricity for 70,000 homes. Renewable, clean energy for America. We traveled through an area of volcanic rocks and entered California and Pacific Time. We had gone through several boarder patrol checkpoints by this time, but the next checkpoint was different. This was an agricultrual checkpoint. The officer asked if we had any apples or oranges with us--which we did. You aren't allowed to bring any fruit into California because some carry a fungus. The officer actually came into the VIEW and inspected the refrigerator and took all of our apples and oranges!

On December 22nd, just about a month after leaving home, we arrived in San Diego, CA, and parked in front of James' Aunt's home. She, Aunt Frances and her husband live in a residential area near a shopping mall. She is 90 years young so we tried to impose as little as possible. We parked in front of their home, but ate inside with them--making dinner and cleaning up after each meal. Her husband still helps with his wife, and does his share around the house. Not all men are from Mars!

We only stayed in San Diego for two days, and then left for Rosemead, which is only 10 miles from Pasadena. We went to visit a lady we met on our first trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade. She had 'showed us the ropes' on that first visit, and we see her each year. We arrived on Christmas Eve, and went directly to her brother's home where they were having a family Christmas party. They welcomed us warmly, and we had a great visit.

When we left the party, we followed our friend, Cecelia, to her home, and parked outside on the street where we stayed until December 29th. While we were in Rosemead, Cecelia took us to Los Angeles to tour the town. We stopped at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. to look at the stars on the sidewalk, and the hand and foot prints of the stars. The next day we went to Griffin Observatory. Inside, there are exhibits of the solar system, and the night skys. Outside, we could see all of LA, sparkling in the night. All of this is free to the public! This place is so famous it finds its way into many movies.

We had unloaded the scooter, and rode it around the town, and into Pasadena to check out the parking situation for the parade. We saw some RVs already parked on the side streets, but signs indicated that the 29th was the earliest date to park without getting a ticket.

On the morning of the 29th, after loading the scooter back on the VIEW, and saying our good-byes, we headed for Pasadena and our favorite parking spot. It is near Pasadena City College where the bands practice, next to a 24-hour fast food, and very close to a $0.99 store that sells almost everything, including fresh produce. We rode the scooter up and down Colorado Blvd. checking out the other RVs. We still think that we have the best parking place!..and we are from Connecicut!