Route 1
We had a sweet good-bye dinner with Mike following another gorgeous sunset at Pacific Grove. In the morning, we discovered that our rear view mirror had fallen off again. Mike was handy and able to fix it for us. He found an auto shop nearby and bought the required glue to hold it in place. The last time we had it fixed it cost $80.; this time the glue was $8.00, Mike’s cost “priceless”. This set us all about an hour behind our scheduled departure but it didn’t really matter that much to either of us.
Mark and I headed north on Route 1. It took us through the center of San Francisco on a beautiful sunny afternoon. We had lunch at the Cliff House overlooking San Francisco Bay and Seal Rocks where sea lions congregate. The last time I was there was 1960 with my parents. The views of the bay were still as beautiful as back then, but the restaurant had been renovated a few times since then. This was a wonderful memory of being in San Francisco.
The drive up the coast took us over the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito and soon out of the city. The coastline north of San Francisco on Route 1 hugs the rugged shoreline with sharp turns wrapping around high cliffs. About 30 years ago Mark and I spent 2 weeks along this very route. Back then, we spent our first night at a lodge overlooking steep cliffs from the hot tub off our deck. The lodge was located right off the road among a forest of Juniper trees. Raccoons were everywhere on the property lapping up the water from the hot tubs. Our room overlooked the sea, however, we could only hear it because of the heavy fog that night. We both have fond memories of that place, everything but the name of it or where it was!
Now, as we are driving the same route we thought we might be able to find that Inn and relive a wonderful memory. Once it was dark, driving on the narrow curving road became more difficult. We decided to stop at the next available inn. We clearly were not able to find that Inn from 30 years ago. We pulled into Timber Cove Inn for the night. We were both tired, especially Mark who had done all the driving. A quick Manhattan at the bar was a welcomed nightcap. We had asked the bartender if he possibly knew of an Inn on the beach set among huge Junipers and possible raccoons all around. He looked at and said “This is that place.!” Timber Cove had been sold and remodeled. The trees were cleared and raccoons relocated. What an amazing coincidence!
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Thursday, February 8, 2018
Feb 3-4 Monterey, CA
Feb 3-4: Monterey, Carmel and the Pacific Coast Highway
The time at Pismo Beach left us sandy and dirty so we scheduled two nights at a hotel in Pacific Grove. We planned to drive the Pacific Coast Highway south of Monterey along Route 1. Mike was our official driver in his Subaru. We did a quick tour through Carmel then headed south on the most picturesque road in California. We were able to drive about 70 miles south to where the road was closed off then turned around and drove back to Pacific Grove. As we drove south, the road twisted and turned around steep canyons and cliffs that fall to the sea. We stopped often to take pictures only to realize that the next turn would uncover an even more spectacular view. The juniper trees along the road were often wind swept in an easterly direction giving them artistic shapes and forms. The tall Eucalyptus trees with their long strands of peeling bark provided their clean, perfumery scent in groves along the way. Often, the cliffs would fall sharply to the sea and other times the land gently rolled to the sea. The fields on the hillsides are springtime green which is a dramatic change from our desert environment. Some parts reminded me of the western shore of Ireland and other parts of the northern coast of Maine. We reached the end of the road and fortunately there was a quaint little place to have lunch overlooking the ocean. About 10 miles of the road were closed off due to the mud slides.
The return trip, although the same road provided a totally different view of the landscape. We saw cliffs, canyons, trees, farmland that we did not notice on the drive south. It is amazing how just a turn around can change one’s entire perspective.
The day was full of sunshine and beautiful memories.
The time at Pismo Beach left us sandy and dirty so we scheduled two nights at a hotel in Pacific Grove. We planned to drive the Pacific Coast Highway south of Monterey along Route 1. Mike was our official driver in his Subaru. We did a quick tour through Carmel then headed south on the most picturesque road in California. We were able to drive about 70 miles south to where the road was closed off then turned around and drove back to Pacific Grove. As we drove south, the road twisted and turned around steep canyons and cliffs that fall to the sea. We stopped often to take pictures only to realize that the next turn would uncover an even more spectacular view. The juniper trees along the road were often wind swept in an easterly direction giving them artistic shapes and forms. The tall Eucalyptus trees with their long strands of peeling bark provided their clean, perfumery scent in groves along the way. Often, the cliffs would fall sharply to the sea and other times the land gently rolled to the sea. The fields on the hillsides are springtime green which is a dramatic change from our desert environment. Some parts reminded me of the western shore of Ireland and other parts of the northern coast of Maine. We reached the end of the road and fortunately there was a quaint little place to have lunch overlooking the ocean. About 10 miles of the road were closed off due to the mud slides.
The return trip, although the same road provided a totally different view of the landscape. We saw cliffs, canyons, trees, farmland that we did not notice on the drive south. It is amazing how just a turn around can change one’s entire perspective.
The day was full of sunshine and beautiful memories.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Feb 2-3 Pismo Beach
Feb 2-3 Pismo Beach
Mike was able to join us again at Pismo Beach, CA. He had visited a friend in San Diego then another friend in LA for a few days. Pismo Beach is a small town on California’s Central Coast. It is a wide open beach area where cars, RV’s and ATV’s, are all able to drive on the sand. There are magnificent dunes behind the beach front that are partly closed to protect the snowy plovers. Mark was nervous about driving on the sand in the RV but Mike convinced us that it would be fine. Mark was convinced we would get stuck on the beach. Sure enough, as we made the turn to park the van, we got stuck. Mike who had been traveling from Wyoming, was prepared with a snow shovel. Mike got us out of our rut and maneuvered the van for us. Mike, of course, had no problem with his 4 wheel drive car. We had to listen to a lecture on positive thinking from Mike. It went something like this: “Gee, Dad, if you think the worst, it will happen!”
The snowy plovers are my new favorite bird. They are tiny white and grey with the ability to zip back and forth chasing the waves in hopes some morsel of food comes in with a wave. With their backs toward the sea, they look like tiny snowflakes on the sand. Since this is their nesting season I am glad to know that they are protected.
For a while we were alone on the beach, however, later in the day ATV’s filled the area. This must be a local thrill because it seemed everyone in town comes to the beach and cruises through the open areas of the dunes. The night lights on the ATV’s were colorful and bright. Evidently driving on the dunes at night is dangerously dark so the more lights one has on their ATV, the better. Although I would have preferred a more quiet time on the beach, it was fun to watch the locals enjoy themselves.
Mike and Mark dug a pit in the sand and built a great fire for cooking our steak. We spent the evening sitting around the fire and watching a colorful sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
A short walk from Pismo beach is the Monarch Butterly Grove. Thousands of Monarchs were fluttering in the Eucalyptus Trees, called clustering. We were fortunate to see these monarchs as this is the season for vieweing them, October through February. During this time the final generation of hibernating monarch butterflies comes out of hibernation to fine a mate. The sight of so many orange and black wings at one time was beautiful. They seemed to be enjoying themselves fluttering among the tree leaves as if to be playing by softly bumping into one another.
We spent two days and nights at Pismo Beach enjoying the warmth, the sun and a very restful time with Mike. When it was time to leave, Mark insisted that Mike drive our van out of the soft sand and onto the hard sand area where we could drive the van off the beach. That worked out well!
Mike was able to join us again at Pismo Beach, CA. He had visited a friend in San Diego then another friend in LA for a few days. Pismo Beach is a small town on California’s Central Coast. It is a wide open beach area where cars, RV’s and ATV’s, are all able to drive on the sand. There are magnificent dunes behind the beach front that are partly closed to protect the snowy plovers. Mark was nervous about driving on the sand in the RV but Mike convinced us that it would be fine. Mark was convinced we would get stuck on the beach. Sure enough, as we made the turn to park the van, we got stuck. Mike who had been traveling from Wyoming, was prepared with a snow shovel. Mike got us out of our rut and maneuvered the van for us. Mike, of course, had no problem with his 4 wheel drive car. We had to listen to a lecture on positive thinking from Mike. It went something like this: “Gee, Dad, if you think the worst, it will happen!”
The snowy plovers are my new favorite bird. They are tiny white and grey with the ability to zip back and forth chasing the waves in hopes some morsel of food comes in with a wave. With their backs toward the sea, they look like tiny snowflakes on the sand. Since this is their nesting season I am glad to know that they are protected.
For a while we were alone on the beach, however, later in the day ATV’s filled the area. This must be a local thrill because it seemed everyone in town comes to the beach and cruises through the open areas of the dunes. The night lights on the ATV’s were colorful and bright. Evidently driving on the dunes at night is dangerously dark so the more lights one has on their ATV, the better. Although I would have preferred a more quiet time on the beach, it was fun to watch the locals enjoy themselves.
Mike and Mark dug a pit in the sand and built a great fire for cooking our steak. We spent the evening sitting around the fire and watching a colorful sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
A short walk from Pismo beach is the Monarch Butterly Grove. Thousands of Monarchs were fluttering in the Eucalyptus Trees, called clustering. We were fortunate to see these monarchs as this is the season for vieweing them, October through February. During this time the final generation of hibernating monarch butterflies comes out of hibernation to fine a mate. The sight of so many orange and black wings at one time was beautiful. They seemed to be enjoying themselves fluttering among the tree leaves as if to be playing by softly bumping into one another.
We spent two days and nights at Pismo Beach enjoying the warmth, the sun and a very restful time with Mike. When it was time to leave, Mark insisted that Mike drive our van out of the soft sand and onto the hard sand area where we could drive the van off the beach. That worked out well!
Feb. 1 Halfway Point Reflections
Halfway: Feb 1
Today marks the half way mark in our 6 month adventure across the country. It has been a remarkable experience traveling in our little RV and managing to get along fine so far! We have put about 8,000 miles on the van and it too is doing well. There will be some repairs when we return to Maine but so far nothing too serious.
We have learned to economize in every way possible. Water for the most part is a constant worry. We buy water for drinking in 2 gallon jugs and try to drink as much as we can to stay hydrated. Showers are interesting in some of the California parks; there can be a charge of $.25 per minute. It is quick one but a $1.00 usually gets me clean including a shampoo. Our food supplies are also limited due to the small refrigerator and cabinet space. We plan our meals carefully, cooking only what we will eat for each meal. The most difficult economizing that I have done is wearing my clothes for 3-4 days at a time. We try to do laundry only as needed and so far that has worked out except when we left Joshua Tree. The desert sand, dirt and smell of open fire permeated all of our clothes. (I think I will need to go on a shopping spree when I return to Maine!).
I am surprised how quickly the time has gone by. It is hard to believe that we only have 3 months left with so much more to see. We have met interesting, friendly and helpful people all along the way. We haven’t gotten lost too often but when we do I shut up and let Siri do the talking. I will leave that argument between Mark and her and believe me it has happened.
There are lessons to be learned about stepping back, taking time to observe nature and not be encumbered with too much stuff. We have been able to stay abreast of the news, thanks mostly to John Zerner’s emails. Mark has even had a few momentary conversations with supporters of Trump without any serious consequences. Perhaps learning to listen is a first step in understanding. No minds were changed, however.
As today marks the halfway point of our adventure, we are happy, contented and overjoyed that we are able to have this time together and we are looking forward to the next 3 months.
Today marks the half way mark in our 6 month adventure across the country. It has been a remarkable experience traveling in our little RV and managing to get along fine so far! We have put about 8,000 miles on the van and it too is doing well. There will be some repairs when we return to Maine but so far nothing too serious.
We have learned to economize in every way possible. Water for the most part is a constant worry. We buy water for drinking in 2 gallon jugs and try to drink as much as we can to stay hydrated. Showers are interesting in some of the California parks; there can be a charge of $.25 per minute. It is quick one but a $1.00 usually gets me clean including a shampoo. Our food supplies are also limited due to the small refrigerator and cabinet space. We plan our meals carefully, cooking only what we will eat for each meal. The most difficult economizing that I have done is wearing my clothes for 3-4 days at a time. We try to do laundry only as needed and so far that has worked out except when we left Joshua Tree. The desert sand, dirt and smell of open fire permeated all of our clothes. (I think I will need to go on a shopping spree when I return to Maine!).
I am surprised how quickly the time has gone by. It is hard to believe that we only have 3 months left with so much more to see. We have met interesting, friendly and helpful people all along the way. We haven’t gotten lost too often but when we do I shut up and let Siri do the talking. I will leave that argument between Mark and her and believe me it has happened.
There are lessons to be learned about stepping back, taking time to observe nature and not be encumbered with too much stuff. We have been able to stay abreast of the news, thanks mostly to John Zerner’s emails. Mark has even had a few momentary conversations with supporters of Trump without any serious consequences. Perhaps learning to listen is a first step in understanding. No minds were changed, however.
As today marks the halfway point of our adventure, we are happy, contented and overjoyed that we are able to have this time together and we are looking forward to the next 3 months.
Thursday, February 1, 2018
January 30-Feb 1. Halfway point
Jan. 28th
Our choice to stay warm guided us to the coast of California. The drive through the desert continued to be windy. In fact, once we had gotten over the Los Padres Mts., we drove directly into a sandstorm. This was harrowing for Mark trying to control the van and see where were headed. Fortunately, we were able to pass through it in about 10 minutes. We chose the highways to get around Los Angeles as quickly as possibly. We heard that Highway 101 had recently been reopened due to horrific fires followed by rain and deadly mud slides.
There is a village north of Ventura, Carpinteria, that is located directly on the beach. The town of Carpinteria is charming, with a seaside feel but not too beachy with the smell of Eucalyptus Trees. We walked to town for dinner through a lovely park and charming side streets. It was a treat to have Thai food after our camping time in Joshua Tree. .Unfortunately, what used to be a beautiful beach was now littered with piles of debris from the fires and mud slides. There is a poisonous bacteria in the ocean, so no swimming. The once green hills that frame the town to the east were bare from the burn. Some of the side streets were still coated with a layer of mud. There is still much work to be done in the cleanup department in several of these coastal towns. This was a horrific and damaging and deadly series of storm events.
Because the beach was not accessible, we moved north to Refugio State Park. We were able to secure one of the last spaces for the RV. The State Parks are much more spacious for camping so we decided to stay an extra night. The beach here was clean and we witnessed a gorgeous sunset.
Jan. 30th
We are slowly making our way up the California coast and enjoying the beaches and small farming towns along the way. We are in Pismo Beach at the moment and waiting for one more visit with Mike before he heads back to Jackson. He had spent some time in San Diego and then with a friend in LA.
Our choice to stay warm guided us to the coast of California. The drive through the desert continued to be windy. In fact, once we had gotten over the Los Padres Mts., we drove directly into a sandstorm. This was harrowing for Mark trying to control the van and see where were headed. Fortunately, we were able to pass through it in about 10 minutes. We chose the highways to get around Los Angeles as quickly as possibly. We heard that Highway 101 had recently been reopened due to horrific fires followed by rain and deadly mud slides.
There is a village north of Ventura, Carpinteria, that is located directly on the beach. The town of Carpinteria is charming, with a seaside feel but not too beachy with the smell of Eucalyptus Trees. We walked to town for dinner through a lovely park and charming side streets. It was a treat to have Thai food after our camping time in Joshua Tree. .Unfortunately, what used to be a beautiful beach was now littered with piles of debris from the fires and mud slides. There is a poisonous bacteria in the ocean, so no swimming. The once green hills that frame the town to the east were bare from the burn. Some of the side streets were still coated with a layer of mud. There is still much work to be done in the cleanup department in several of these coastal towns. This was a horrific and damaging and deadly series of storm events.
Because the beach was not accessible, we moved north to Refugio State Park. We were able to secure one of the last spaces for the RV. The State Parks are much more spacious for camping so we decided to stay an extra night. The beach here was clean and we witnessed a gorgeous sunset.
Jan. 30th
We are slowly making our way up the California coast and enjoying the beaches and small farming towns along the way. We are in Pismo Beach at the moment and waiting for one more visit with Mike before he heads back to Jackson. He had spent some time in San Diego and then with a friend in LA.
Monday, January 29, 2018
Jan. 26th -28th Joshua Tree: More adventures with Mike
Jan. 26-28
Following our visit with our former neighbors in Temecula, we returned to Joshua Tree National Park where Mike had secured the perfect camp site at White Tank. It was a large space with a fire pit nestled in between giant boulders. The great rocks provided some wind protection, however, the katabatic winds picked up every evening and lasted all night. The days were relatively warm around 50 degrees but the nights were very cold. the first night was particularly cold, around 35 with wild winds. We had packed in all of our supplies which included gallons of drinking water. We were off the grid for about 48 hours, without satellite connections or electricity.
Since Mike decided to stay there while we visited our friends, he managed to meet up with other campers, hikers and bikers. Two bikers from Berkeley were next to us. They were on a road trip together as they were both between jobs. One of them, Caleb, was soon to be off with his father to Nepal where they will be doing some charity work building a school for the locals. His buddy, Cooper, was on his last bike ride because his now serious girlfriend doesn’t approve of motor cycles. Cooper had Mike decorate his tent by spray painting a scene of Joshua Trees. Cooper was thrilled with the design. Both young men were fun be around. We had a lot of laughs around the fire. Since I was the only woman, they called me mom the Desert Queen!
One other nearby camper was fondly named desert Dave. He was Native American with wild stories to tell. He was a lonesome sort, likeable, spiritual but with a sordid past including time in prison. He knew all of the trails in the park and had a collection of found objects. He gave me a piece of jade he found and told me it was good fortune. He seemed to be fragile like the environment that he lives in, spikey, sharp with a tender heart.
On the second day, Caleb had a fall on his motorcycle. He suffered minor injuries to his ribs and hand. He was going too fast on the sandy dirt road and made a sharp turn too quickly. With a little help from tools and homemade bandages and Neosporine, all should be fine.
Although very cold and windy, the night sky was bright with a waxing moon and millions of bright stars. Mike climbed a large heart-shaped boulder and hung tiny white lights from the top outlining the heart shape, a beautiful expression of his love for this park.
In the morning, we packed up all of our gear and said good-by to Mike and desert Dave. We were filthy and smelled like the Smokey fire that had been burning all night. Mike was on his way to San Diego to meet up with a Jackson buddy.
Time spent in Joshua Tree was cold, with harsh winds and sharp cacti everywhere. Survival here is difficult with a daily struggle for water. In spite of the harshness that exists, there is beauty and a reminder that this delicate landscape needs to be preserved. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders. Do not let selfish men and greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”.
Following our visit with our former neighbors in Temecula, we returned to Joshua Tree National Park where Mike had secured the perfect camp site at White Tank. It was a large space with a fire pit nestled in between giant boulders. The great rocks provided some wind protection, however, the katabatic winds picked up every evening and lasted all night. The days were relatively warm around 50 degrees but the nights were very cold. the first night was particularly cold, around 35 with wild winds. We had packed in all of our supplies which included gallons of drinking water. We were off the grid for about 48 hours, without satellite connections or electricity.
Since Mike decided to stay there while we visited our friends, he managed to meet up with other campers, hikers and bikers. Two bikers from Berkeley were next to us. They were on a road trip together as they were both between jobs. One of them, Caleb, was soon to be off with his father to Nepal where they will be doing some charity work building a school for the locals. His buddy, Cooper, was on his last bike ride because his now serious girlfriend doesn’t approve of motor cycles. Cooper had Mike decorate his tent by spray painting a scene of Joshua Trees. Cooper was thrilled with the design. Both young men were fun be around. We had a lot of laughs around the fire. Since I was the only woman, they called me mom the Desert Queen!
One other nearby camper was fondly named desert Dave. He was Native American with wild stories to tell. He was a lonesome sort, likeable, spiritual but with a sordid past including time in prison. He knew all of the trails in the park and had a collection of found objects. He gave me a piece of jade he found and told me it was good fortune. He seemed to be fragile like the environment that he lives in, spikey, sharp with a tender heart.
On the second day, Caleb had a fall on his motorcycle. He suffered minor injuries to his ribs and hand. He was going too fast on the sandy dirt road and made a sharp turn too quickly. With a little help from tools and homemade bandages and Neosporine, all should be fine.
Although very cold and windy, the night sky was bright with a waxing moon and millions of bright stars. Mike climbed a large heart-shaped boulder and hung tiny white lights from the top outlining the heart shape, a beautiful expression of his love for this park.
In the morning, we packed up all of our gear and said good-by to Mike and desert Dave. We were filthy and smelled like the Smokey fire that had been burning all night. Mike was on his way to San Diego to meet up with a Jackson buddy.
Time spent in Joshua Tree was cold, with harsh winds and sharp cacti everywhere. Survival here is difficult with a daily struggle for water. In spite of the harshness that exists, there is beauty and a reminder that this delicate landscape needs to be preserved. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders. Do not let selfish men and greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”.
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
January 20-22: Adventures with Mike
January 20
Indio, California
Our son, Mike showed up from Jackson, Wyoming late in the afternoon at the Shadow Hills Resort RV park where we were staying. He drove about a 1000 miles and we are really glad to be able to spend some time with him. We spent the next day touring the town of Palm Springs. The downtown area was filled with shops and Mexican restaurants. I think I was expecting more of a Hollywood atmosphere but that was not the case. It was low key town with outside seating at most of the restaurants. It seemed to be a livable area with homes off the Main Street that were not austentatious. I am sure that there were homes up in the hills that were much more elegant but we stayed in town. Las Casuelas was an outdoor Mexican restaurant where we had lunch. They had a live band that played some Mexican music and some music from the 50’s; quite the variety.
After lunch we tried to drive up to the San Bernardino National Forest and check out Mt San Jacinto Park. The drive up the mountain proved to be a bit too windy with some icy spots so we did not make it all the way to the top. We had decided early on that our excursion would not include high mountain roads with ice or snow. We found a place to turn around and head back to the park for our last night there.
Mike wanted to return to Joshua Tree and camp there for a night. Even though the government is shut down the park was accessible but with no services. It was on a first come-first-serve basis to find a campsite. We found one at Cottonwood Springs located at the southern end of the park. Mike set up his tent which claimed our spot. We then drove to the more northern part of park where the giant boulders are located. Mike climbed “skull rock” which as its name implies is a giant boulder that from a bit of a distance looks like a giant skull. Mike, an experienced climber, skier and all around extreme character, saw no problem fitting into the small crevices up to the top of the skull. Neither Mark nor I attempted to make that climb, even after Mike offered his assistance.
As we were returning to our campsite, the early evening sun was casting shades of pinks, tourquois, blues and yellows. We were watching a water color in the making, soft tones that blended into one another creating a sense of quiet peacefulness. Once at the campsite we prepared a steak dinner for the three of us and shared good memories. The desert night sky, lacking any light pollution, was bright with a magnificent star-light show, the Milkyway, the Little Dipper, Orion’s Belt and many others that I can’t name were all distinct and seemed close enough to touch. Although cold and windy, it was a beautiful night.
Mike planned to spend one more night in the park up in the northern area where the giant boulders are. We had previous plans to meet our former Florida neighbors who recently moved to Temecula. Before leaving, Mark and Mike had fun trying to fly kites in the high winds. Mark was a bit more successful than Mike but they both had a frustratingly good time.
Temecula was about a two and half hour drive west from Joshua Tree. We arrived around 3:00 and were served a lovely lunch on their patio. Boog and Suzanne’s home is beautifully located on a high hill overlooking snow-capped mountains to the east and white picketed fence horse-farms to the west. The neighborhood is a quiet one with palm trees, redwoods, and eucalyptus trees. They have a lovely fenced in back yard with plenty of room for the dogs. Their home is much larger than their Florida one with 3 bedrooms on the second floor. They were able to update their kitchen and bathrooms prior to moving in with state of the art quartz counter tops, new appliances with a soft blue-grey toned cabinets. Their antique furniture is a perfect fit for all of the rooms. They are expecting their first grandchild in July so they are especially happy to be here near their sons.
In a day or so we will meet up with Mike again and camp at bit north of Los Angeles, hoping to stay warm for awhile then head to the wine country in Napa.
Indio, California
Our son, Mike showed up from Jackson, Wyoming late in the afternoon at the Shadow Hills Resort RV park where we were staying. He drove about a 1000 miles and we are really glad to be able to spend some time with him. We spent the next day touring the town of Palm Springs. The downtown area was filled with shops and Mexican restaurants. I think I was expecting more of a Hollywood atmosphere but that was not the case. It was low key town with outside seating at most of the restaurants. It seemed to be a livable area with homes off the Main Street that were not austentatious. I am sure that there were homes up in the hills that were much more elegant but we stayed in town. Las Casuelas was an outdoor Mexican restaurant where we had lunch. They had a live band that played some Mexican music and some music from the 50’s; quite the variety.
After lunch we tried to drive up to the San Bernardino National Forest and check out Mt San Jacinto Park. The drive up the mountain proved to be a bit too windy with some icy spots so we did not make it all the way to the top. We had decided early on that our excursion would not include high mountain roads with ice or snow. We found a place to turn around and head back to the park for our last night there.
Mike wanted to return to Joshua Tree and camp there for a night. Even though the government is shut down the park was accessible but with no services. It was on a first come-first-serve basis to find a campsite. We found one at Cottonwood Springs located at the southern end of the park. Mike set up his tent which claimed our spot. We then drove to the more northern part of park where the giant boulders are located. Mike climbed “skull rock” which as its name implies is a giant boulder that from a bit of a distance looks like a giant skull. Mike, an experienced climber, skier and all around extreme character, saw no problem fitting into the small crevices up to the top of the skull. Neither Mark nor I attempted to make that climb, even after Mike offered his assistance.
As we were returning to our campsite, the early evening sun was casting shades of pinks, tourquois, blues and yellows. We were watching a water color in the making, soft tones that blended into one another creating a sense of quiet peacefulness. Once at the campsite we prepared a steak dinner for the three of us and shared good memories. The desert night sky, lacking any light pollution, was bright with a magnificent star-light show, the Milkyway, the Little Dipper, Orion’s Belt and many others that I can’t name were all distinct and seemed close enough to touch. Although cold and windy, it was a beautiful night.
Mike planned to spend one more night in the park up in the northern area where the giant boulders are. We had previous plans to meet our former Florida neighbors who recently moved to Temecula. Before leaving, Mark and Mike had fun trying to fly kites in the high winds. Mark was a bit more successful than Mike but they both had a frustratingly good time.
Temecula was about a two and half hour drive west from Joshua Tree. We arrived around 3:00 and were served a lovely lunch on their patio. Boog and Suzanne’s home is beautifully located on a high hill overlooking snow-capped mountains to the east and white picketed fence horse-farms to the west. The neighborhood is a quiet one with palm trees, redwoods, and eucalyptus trees. They have a lovely fenced in back yard with plenty of room for the dogs. Their home is much larger than their Florida one with 3 bedrooms on the second floor. They were able to update their kitchen and bathrooms prior to moving in with state of the art quartz counter tops, new appliances with a soft blue-grey toned cabinets. Their antique furniture is a perfect fit for all of the rooms. They are expecting their first grandchild in July so they are especially happy to be here near their sons.
In a day or so we will meet up with Mike again and camp at bit north of Los Angeles, hoping to stay warm for awhile then head to the wine country in Napa.
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