We Made it! Seems like we’ve been driving for weeks instead of days. Now we have to get used to not having to get up early so we can move on to the next stop. We’ll be here until October 8th, I think. Something like that. Then we can move along.

Our main objective today was to circumnavigate Los Angeles by selecting the proper freeway. There are many to choose from. Thankfully, the Garmin we have for the RV knows the way and got us here just fine. We encountered a number of hills that caused the rig to overheat, but slowing down seemed to solve the problem. In a few days we’ll go searching for a mobile mechanic who can visit us to drain the radiator and engine of whatever is in there and refill it with the proper mixture of coolant. There will be a report.

Here’s the view from space #29 … to the right, directly across from the park is the 32nd Street Naval Station where I spent a lot of time many years ago.

That’s the San Diego skyline across the bay from us. You can see the Coronado Bridge, also. We don’t have a waterfront space, but ours isn’t blocked by a neighbor.

It’s very comfortable here sitting outside without my shirt sticking to me. Temp must be in the low 70’s, while every night we stopped the temp was around 100. Nasty.

I took Max for a walk shortly after arrival and he marched me right down to the bay and jumped in. He was leaping around in the water like a porpoise, having a great time. Then he did some zoomies in the loose sand and immediately ran back to the water. The people sitting around in their chairs really enjoyed his water show. Now he’s a mess, of course, but he’s been a really good puppy so there’s no way we could be upset with him. He actually cleans up well and pretty easily. Just pick him up and shake him a little and all the dirt just falls off like magic.

See you tomorrow.

What a day.

Everything was sailing along smoothly until we got to the LA Grapevine. Going over it in a normal car is no big deal. With the RV? Different story. We stopped only a little way into the trip up the mountain to unhitch the car so I could attempt to control the overheating problem we’ve got. I did pretty good, but a good part of the trip was made going only 15-20 mph on a 70-mph freeway. The flashers got a good workout. Even at that speed I wasn’t the slowest one on the trip. Trucks get to use their flashers a lot, too.

At the end of the day we made it safely to the Lancaster Elks hoping there would be a space open for us. They have 60, but you just never know. Once we found the lodge, I was happy to see they had a lot of open spots so I could put that worry away. Picking one was another job. I paid the camp host the required $25 for the night (a really decent price) then picked a spot where the trees weren’t hanging so low. I think most of the folks parked here have been in their spots for a long time and the trees just grew around them over time. The downside is they only have 30-amp service so we could only run 1 A/C at a time.

For us to connect to a 30-amp service required aa adapter. I have 2 or 3 of them at home in the garage along with other stuff I forgot, so we had to find a store to purchase one. First we tried Lowe’s, then Auto Zone, then finally wound up at Bobby Joe’s RV Center at the edge of town. He had one and I was happy to pay the $40 for it.

Back at the RV I got the power and water connected while Diane undid the slides then we sat down to a well-earned dinner. Diane had one hotdog and a salad left over from yesterday and I had two hotdogs and a can of chili. It was all good.

When we parted ways after unhooking the car, I kept Max with me in the RV. All the way over the mountain he was good as gold then he started getting super antsy about 20 miles from Lancaster. He was trying the climb on the dash, then had to lay right by my feet, then under the dash, then my lap. It wasn’t working out so I stopped and gave him to Diane while we were hunting for the Elk’s Lodge in Lancaster. She said he did similar things for her and she figured it may have been anxiety for him since we weren’t together. Makes sense because up until today, every trip we’ve ever taken we were all together. Today was different.

Tomorrow, we begin the last leg of the trip to San Diego. I have no idea how far it is, or when we hope to arrive, but it’s going to be wonderful to be able to look ahead at more than one day of down time. This time we get at least 3 weeks. At least that’s the plan.

I will, of course, keep you informed of our success along those lines.

You can wish us luck if you wish. We might need it.

We got to Naval Air Station Lemoore right on time after an uneventful cruise down Highway 99. I say uneventful because we didn’t run into anything even though we had plenty of chances to do so. Many of the drivers down here on the map drive like daredevils auditioning for a movie. Thankfully, we missed every one of them.

Getting on base was simple. The GPS took us right to one of the gates that was accessible for us. It wasn’t the main gate, as we were directed to use, but it worked. Once that was done, we went searching for the MWR office to check in, pay the camping fee, and get directions to the RV park.

NAS Lemoore is huge, like a city planted in the dessert, so finding MWR was a challenge, but not one we couldn’t manage. Once there, I left the bus running while I went in to take care of business. I asked for a map of the base so we wouldn’t get lost but they didn’t have any. That was a bummer, but in reality, just one more challenge. The young lady helping me found a kind of map and tried to make a copy of it was missing parts. She gave me a narrative about where we were and where we should go but it didn’t make any sense to me since I had been driving all day (3 hours) in the intense heat. I just nodded my head as if I was totally aware of what she was telling me, then went back to the bus and disconnected the car. I knew Diane could find our ultimate destination.

We drove around a while with no luck because there weren’t any signs telling us where to go. So, I parked in a very large, empty parking lot and released Diane to search our surroundings. She returned about 1/2 hour later with good news. I followed her to the RV park and she led me pad #25 where I parked perfectly the very first try. It was simple because every space as a cement pad large enough to accommodate the largest RV in existence. I know that’s true because one of them was parked on pad #26.

After I got the water and power connected, Diane took a trip to the commissary for some needed supplies, leaving me alone to make one more attempt to make the Dish work. Sadly, it didn’t, and neither was I able to get any channels on the antenna. So, instead of catching up on the news we spent all our time reading. Not a bad thing, really, Oh, and we ate supper, too. We were going to cook the steak we’ve been hauling around with us, but it was late, again, Instead we ate the rest of the beef stew Diane made before we embarked on this journey. That stuff never goes bad and it was delicious.

It’s been decided that the Dish antenna has ended it’s life cycle and is now available for me to dismantle to figure out how it ticks. Oddly, I actually did that the last time we were at NAS Fallon in Nevada a couple of years ago. Another “oddly” thing is that the RV park in Fallon is exactly like Lemoore’s. Very nice facilities.

Yesterday the heat was grueling sand Max was totally done with lounging in his little throne. Luckily, there’s a dog park next to the forest or landing pads so I took him there and turned him loose. Just as we got to the park a gentleman was leaving and he apparently turned on some sprinklers in the Small Dog area of the park and Max was ecstatic. He found a sprinkler that was making a puddle, dug out around it to make the puddle bigger, then layed down in it, happy as a clam. Almost like cooling off in the crick at home. This one, however, was muddy, but he’s proven that he’s not afraid of a little mud. Consequently, he got very muddy.

Back at the RV I hosed him off knowing that he’d dry in a couple of minutes, which he did.

We got to bed around 9-ish and slept the night away.

Now it’s Saturday morning and our projected departure time is one minute away. We’ve decided we’re not going to make it. The destination is Lancaster Elks Lodge. They have 60 sites. If it’s full, we’ll go on down to the Palmdale Elks Lodge (15 miles) that also has 60 sites. Surely one of them will have a spot for us.

See you later.

The trip from Redding to Merced was very nostalgic for us. In addition to coming this way to visit with Jennifer, Daniel and the kids in Modesto, we spent time on both Highway 99 and I-5 running back and forth from San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Pedro to home (Oregon) while we were in the Navy. We got to know these roads quite well.

Going past Modesto we took extra special looks to see what had changed and what we remembered. Even though it’s been many years since our last trip this way, it was very familiar. The big difference for me was the traffic. The freeway past Modesto is very much like LA now, not the way I remember it. All 32 lanes were just creeping along through the city as all the participants competed for the best lane to get just a tiny bit ahead of everyone else. We just plugged along in the slow lane and made it through a couple of minutes behind them watching the game unfold. Kept me busy. Max wasn’t impressed. Diane weathered that storm well.

Once we reached Merced the GPS led us away from the freeway to 3600 Wardrobe Ave. On my honor, that’s a place. We were given site #11 and it was not difficult to get parked and set up. The only problem was, that after all that driving with the dash A/C keeping us cool, once plugged in, the roof air would not function. In my heat induced ignorance, I could not figure out what was going on so I looked for help in the form of an RV repair service. The first guy I talked with was on the East Coast somewhere. He connected me to a more local source and I was able to secure a tech for next Tuesday. Since the A/C didn’t work, and the temperature here is running in the 100’s, and we would be long gone by Tuesday, I begged and pleaded for a spot for tomorrow. He granted my wish and I agreed to pay whoever showed up $274 to take a shot at fixing the problem.

At this time Diane was out shopping for dinner so I was left to my own devices. The deal was done.

Then, I had an epiphany. My mind zoomed into a closeup view of an annoying little switch on the panel next to the door that is easily bumped on the way out of the bus. I quickly went to it and clicked it and everything worked, like magic! The switch is a battery cut out that terminates power to everything in the overhead, like all the lights. Some of that missing DC current powered the control panel that allows one to control the A/C.

I quickly called Xavier, the guy who made my appointment, back and cancelled the tech visit. Then I turned everything on high and took Max for a walk. Diane showed up shortly thereafter and we had dinner.

Another issue was my ongoing battle with the Dish. I couldn’t find a good location on the ground where it could ‘see’ the satellites. If I hadn’t lost the roof ladder extension, near the Rogue River, I could of put it on the roof where there was unrestricted access to the entire sky. I figured that I could borrow a step ladder from someone, but Diane suggested we go to Home Depot and just get one. So, we did that.

With the ladder I got the Dish on the roof but no matter how many times I reset the Dish, it just wouldn’t work. Ultimately, Diane said try broadcast channels so I did. We got plenty of them so Diane made a decision that instead of fighting with the Dish at every stop, we just to broadcast channels until we get to San Diego. Then, if the Dish doesn’t work, we will just replace it and I can have the old one to dismantle to see how it works.

With that directive my life on the road became far simpler. Life is good.

Right now it’s 0715 in the morning of the sixth day and Max is pleading to go outside so I’m stopping.

Today was pretty brutal so I’m not going to dwell on it. The heat was oppressive, and I felt like the drive would never end. The RV overheated a few times causing a slowdown which means I have a serious problem to deal with once we get to San Diego. My suspicions lean toward the lack of proper coolant to replace what was lost in Nevada last year. That’s another story that’s already been told.

That’s the rearend of the bus sticking out of space #29. Nothing fancy, but it has 50 amp service, an open sky to the south so the Dish works, and I can dump out waste tanks. Life is good.

Max was happy the drive was over because he can only sleep for so long before he gets all fidgety. But he’s a trooper and toughs it out which makes it really difficult to not take him on the walk he was promised 100 miles ago. He doesn’t forget promises.

We had breakfast for dinner because the eggs were reaching their D3. Thats Drop Dead Date. They tasted pretty good, so I guess we caught them just in time. We had bacon and sausage, and toast, too. It was a regular meal instead of the sandwiches we’ve been making. Don’t get me wrong here, because we like sandwiches. We just don’t like them over and over for too long.

Making the Dish work was critical for me to survive the remainder of this trip. I knew it would work eventually. I just wish it had worked sooner.

Diane wanted me to take a shower before going to bed but I refused. Instead, I used a washcloth and wiped down everything I could reach. I think I got pretty much everything at least once.

Now it’s bedtime so I must stop. Tomorrow we’ll tie up at the Merced Elks Lodge. Larry & Sue recommended it so we’re happy it worked out that we can stay there.

Good night.

It’s 1027 here at Valley of the Rogue, and it’s a beautiful day. The air is crisp and little Max is on guard, searching for intruders, squirrels mainly. He almost caught one yesterday but his leash was too short.

Sitting here, after reading the news headlines again for the umpteenth time, I’m saddened by the state of our nation and the world. When I started writing this silly blog I vowed to not ever get political and I’m going to stick to it. But, I see no reason why I can’t share a little bit about my feelings with regard to events.

Please understand that I’m sharing opinions. What’s coming is me sharing my beliefs, right or wrong.

First, the world population has always been at war with itself with fighting between the Good and the Bad, or Good vs. Evil. It’s nature at its best, survival of the fittest, strong beats weak. Predators are everywhere just waiting to gobble up the prey, but even at the lowest level of such domination there are limits.

When the predator is no longer hungry, the prey is safe and can go on about life without fear. Until the predator gets hungry again. The prey knows the cycle and can prepare for the chaos coming to disrupt their peace.

Going up the food chain to the top, humans are more brutal than, say the hungry lion. Once a human is fed with whatever serves to satisfy their appetite, some of them want more. Those who are more aggressive than others draw to them the weak who feed off the remnants of their waste. This process creates a pyramid with the most dominate predator at the top. They will never be satisfied because when they relax their guard there is another predator waiting in the wings to take their place.

Sadly, in such a situation it’s difficult for everyone to live a peaceful existence. The winners leave a scattered path of victims in their wake. Short of attempting to eliminate the dominate aggressor, there doesn’t seem to be a path to peace. Many have tried in the past, and as far as I know, none have succeeded. There are many volumes written about the winners and losers. Surely all of us have read some of them.

OK, enough of that. I’m going to curl up in my little cocoon and revert to my natural state of being. Yes, I’m going to hide like a good little prey and pray.

Before leaving on this trip I purchased a salt gun. I guess you could call it an Asalt weapon. Yes, it shoots salt and absolutely obliterates unfortunate little flies who cause me, and my lovely spouse, grief. They were flying around us in the RV during dinner last night and I wanted to shoot them there, but Diane didn’t want bits of a fly landing in here food. She made a face to exhibit her unwillingness to be part of this travesty. So, I waited until bedtime and took car of the critters in the bathroom before retiring. I’m thinking it might be an adequate weapon to use against invaders. Just shoot them in the eye.

Gotta stop after turning that corner. Also, it’s almost time to unplug and head south to Redding. See you there.

Redding, CA. We finally made it to the Elks lodge in town, found a spot in the RV area, tied things up then went into the lodge for dinner. It was Taco Tuesday, of course, and it was very good.

Although we made it safely over the Siskiyou it wasn’t easy. First, the RV heated up so we disconnected the car and Diane drove it to the top. Even without the car, the RV wanted to overheat but we finally made it to the top, going very slow.

I took advantage of being stopped at the top and took Max for a short walk so he could mark his presence. There was so much trash laying around and it must have disturbed him because he stuck his nose in the air and led me back to the bus. So I let him inside and went back to reconnect the car. We encountered another bunch of large hills that required us slow way down, but we finally made it to Redding and our destination.

Even though we made it safely to Redding, I didn’t feel the victory for two reasons. Firstly, I was unable to make the Dish function. It just wouldn’t work. Maybe if I could have put the antenna on the RV roof, it might have worked OK, but that wasn’t possible because, Secondly, I forgot to take the ladder extension off the back of the RV so when I sped over the 2nd large hump in the road leaving the Rogue, it must have bounced off and escaped. I didn’t realize it was missing until decided I needed to put the antenna on the roof.

Since the dish didn’t work I tried scanning for local channels but that didn’t work either, So, we were TV-less making my day not such a success as it should have been.

With no TV to entertain us Diane rerouted tomorrow’s trip because Chico was far too close and the day after to Merced would have been brutal. Now we’re skipping Chico and going to Woodland, CA where we will spend the night at the Yolo County Fairgrounds. I’m betting they will have a totally unobstructed view of the southern sky that will allow us access to the satellites necessary to use the Dish. If it doesn’t work again, I’m switching to DirecTV, or maybe get an Elon Musk sky satellite thingie. I might swing by an RV store and see if they have a ladder extension that will work for us. If only I had taken the extension off … if only I had obeyed the speed limit leaving the park … if only I had seen that hump coming … if only …

Now it’s time for bed. Diane isn’t mad at me any longer, so I suspect I’ll be safe laying quietly by her side.

See you tomorrow.

Got up early (0730) to take Max for a walk so he could stretch out after sleeping all night. He has a Serta Perfect Sleeper bed so staying in it isn’t a trial. He loves it especially because he’s too short to jump on our bed.

I had to move around very quietly so I wouldn’t wake Diane from her slumber. That wouldn’t be wise as I’m sure all married men would agree.

Now it’s 1045 and I’m sitting outside the RV at a picnic table to keep Max company as he checks out his surroundings and keeps an eye on folks coming and going past space #2. He doesn’t bark. He just watches.

The morning is a bit fridged compared to the heat wave we’ve been under for the past week or so. Maybe longer. I have to wear my hoodie to keep warm. Kinda nice. I’m sure things will warm up as we move down the map toward San Diego.

Diane loved sitting near the river.