Posts from the ‘California’ Category

Jan 1

Wandering With the Watsons

California’s largest desert park

Yesterday Kelly and I arrived to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, our destination for a few days until we continue the crawl back towards Half Moon Bay. We continue to dry camp, this time alongside fellow Airstreamers – Tim, Amanda, and Phineas … aka WatsonsWander. They arrived a few days before us and scouted out a very nice spot – spacious, with only a few other RV’s scattered across a vast landscape. The site is California’s larger desert park – exceeding 900 acres. Generous with the rules, there is no time limit to stay, and at free, the price is definitely right.

Basically, it is perfect.

Our mobile homes, just down the path

A closer look at the picture above

Tim and Amanda joined Kelly and me last night for dinner and great conversation. This afternoon, the four us (plus Lilly & Phineas) ventured to the Calcite Mine Trail, a remote area about 10 east of our campsite. The trail is pretty cool – a diverse network of slot canyons easily traveled, less some spots requiring a bit of bouldering/scrambling. There is also an abandoned access road which, as evidenced by the number of Jeeps we saw, is now a popular 4×4 off-roading destination.

Approaching the trails – Lilly and Phineas leading the way

This area is prone to flash flooding, our trail today included. Over what I can only assume to be hundreds, if not thousands of years, the rushing water flows have carved an Alice in Wonderland like maze through these slots, which are significantly taller than they are wide. I’ve never seen anything like them before.

Slots

More slots

After a while we ascended the canyon in search of the mining remnants, but never did find the site. However, the views from high above were fabulous.

The climb starts with some scrambling

Up, up, up

Cactus perched near the top

Eventually, we completed the loop satisfied with the hike, but a bit bummed we missed out on the mining remains.

On the way home, Lilly enjoyed a post-hike treat in the car.

Enjoying a post hike treat

Dec 23

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More Of the Same

In what is becoming something all too familiar, Kelly and I once again made a visit to an Airstream dealer today for a bit of service work to Mabel. Unfortunately the parts we require must be special ordered, necessitating yet another visit when we pass back through the area two weeks from now.

Arriving for service

While I’m happy that our issues are covered by warranty, I’d be lying if I said these visits are not cause for frustration. Interruptions like these drive me crazy and I cannot help but wonder if Airstream is aware of the costs (directly and indirectly) of poor quality as it relates to their parts suppliers. These issues, while minor in actual dollars, do disrupt trips, and do generate headaches for Kelly and me.

In an attempt to return a smile to my face, I decided to wander the aisles of new Airstreams on the Toscano RV lot. To my surprise, there were rows of 2013 inventory to check out.

Plenty of Airstreams

Despite the stop, we were back on the road fairly early. Apparently, many other travelers had the same idea which made for a steady flow of traffic along (southbound) I-5. This part of California is dominated by agriculture and rolling hills, providing anyone paying attention, a partly beautiful, mostly boring drive.

A field somewhere along I-5

About nine hours of driving was all I could muster today. It wasn’t too long thereafter that I became tired and found myself getting grumpy. Accordingly, I suggested to Kelly perhaps it was time to stop for the day. As per usual, she made quick work identifying a few overnighting options before settling on Country Hills RV park in Beaumont, CA. It was dark when we arrived so I didn’t get a thorough look around, but the place seems pretty nondescript.

Tomorrow we make a final push to Tucson, where we’ll be spending a few days with Kelly’s mom and her husband.

Dec 21

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And We’re Off

Once again, Kelly and I are on the road with Airstream in tow, our destination being Arizona wherein we will rendezvous with Kelly’s family for the holidays, before spending some time exploring desert areas of the southwest.

Per usual, we decided to get a jump on the drive and we have landed in the modest town of Los Banos for the night. We are currently parked in the far reaches of a Walmart parking lot, accompanied by a half-dozen or so RVs and semi-trucks.

Cozy in a Walmart parking lot

Nov 3

Good Morning

Kelly and I really like living in Half Moon Bay. The reasons are many – one being the proximity to the ocean. On any given day, this is the view accompanying my ‘regular’ dog walking loop:

(iPhone photos)