Where we've stopped tonight |
8:30 start again. Up at 7, but you can't rush into the day too fast. Coffee/tea and breakfast, check the emails, then it's time to get serious about getting out of Dodge. Beautiful sunny day, a few wispy clouds in the sky. It was 10 degrees when we got up, and the forecasted high at today's destination is 20+
9:10 and we just spotted the first of many-to-come power generating windmills; 9:20 first palm trees and the start of acres and acres and miles and miles of olive trees; 9:38 first cactus, and it was a biggie - I think a beavertail - with the tips covered in huge buds probably the size of my fist.
9:10 and we just spotted the first of many-to-come power generating windmills; 9:20 first palm trees and the start of acres and acres and miles and miles of olive trees; 9:38 first cactus, and it was a biggie - I think a beavertail - with the tips covered in huge buds probably the size of my fist.
There are several orchards/groves along the Sacramento Valley that are just starting to come into leaf. The leaves seem to be appearing predominantly on the south facing side of the trees. No idea what the crops are, however.
The highway through Sacramento isn't as bad as I remember from last year, but still kind of rough. Also, the blue skies have become a bit hazy. I presume this will clear up as we put Sacramento behind us.
Passing through Stockton and suddenly we have the roads from hell that I remember from last year. It's worse in the behemouth because you can hear everything behind you shake, rattle and roll. Once we were well clear of Stockton the road became fairly decent again, and the haze disappeared from the sky.
I don't drive the behemouth, so I have no right to question, but will make an observation. A couple of times we've pulled into shopping centres that aren't too crowded, and the behemouth seems to go around in a few circles before deciding on a place to park - not unlike a dog before it lies down. What's up with that?
Around 2pm we saw our first orange grove. The back-home-after-Christmas exodus is underway. We're not bumper to bumper but there's a steady stream of vehicles moving along just fine in both directions. Today's drive was relatively smooth and less stressful than the previous two days.
We arrived in Coalinga, CA around 4pm. Set-up was quick, and we were able to sit outside in our shirt sleeves (and the rest of the shirt and our pants) and have a drink before the sun set. It sure cooled off in a hurry, once the night started to move in. Lots of overnighters here, all heading south as far as we can tell. The couple parked next to us is from Langley and on their way to Ventura. As happened last year in this campground (with a different couple), it turns out they were in the same campground as us last night, just two spots over. Robin recognized the husband from when he was out walking this morning. Redding and Coalinga seem to be popular daily goals for those heading south from the Vancouver area.
Quiet dinner and, once I'm done with the blog, will spend the evening reading. We have decided to finish the drive to Indio tomorrow (about 325 miles), arriving a day ahead of schedule. The campground has assured us they can accommodate us. This will give us a full day to recuperate before New Year's Eve celebrations get underway. I would imagine there will be a party at the park clubhouse. Pray for us as we drive through the upper reaches of Los Angeles tomorrow.
Until next time dear followers, give someone a hug and/or a smile.
Passing through Stockton and suddenly we have the roads from hell that I remember from last year. It's worse in the behemouth because you can hear everything behind you shake, rattle and roll. Once we were well clear of Stockton the road became fairly decent again, and the haze disappeared from the sky.
I don't drive the behemouth, so I have no right to question, but will make an observation. A couple of times we've pulled into shopping centres that aren't too crowded, and the behemouth seems to go around in a few circles before deciding on a place to park - not unlike a dog before it lies down. What's up with that?
Around 2pm we saw our first orange grove. The back-home-after-Christmas exodus is underway. We're not bumper to bumper but there's a steady stream of vehicles moving along just fine in both directions. Today's drive was relatively smooth and less stressful than the previous two days.
We arrived in Coalinga, CA around 4pm. Set-up was quick, and we were able to sit outside in our shirt sleeves (and the rest of the shirt and our pants) and have a drink before the sun set. It sure cooled off in a hurry, once the night started to move in. Lots of overnighters here, all heading south as far as we can tell. The couple parked next to us is from Langley and on their way to Ventura. As happened last year in this campground (with a different couple), it turns out they were in the same campground as us last night, just two spots over. Robin recognized the husband from when he was out walking this morning. Redding and Coalinga seem to be popular daily goals for those heading south from the Vancouver area.
Quiet dinner and, once I'm done with the blog, will spend the evening reading. We have decided to finish the drive to Indio tomorrow (about 325 miles), arriving a day ahead of schedule. The campground has assured us they can accommodate us. This will give us a full day to recuperate before New Year's Eve celebrations get underway. I would imagine there will be a party at the park clubhouse. Pray for us as we drive through the upper reaches of Los Angeles tomorrow.
Until next time dear followers, give someone a hug and/or a smile.