Out of the Desert, Though the City to the Coast

Leaving the desert, we overnighted at ChinaRanch Date Farm, a Harvest Host location near Death Valley. The drive to the farm was a bit intimidating (watch the video to see just how intimidating) but well worth it.

(Sorry for the clicking on the video; we didn’t know that was happening, don’t actually know what it is and don’t know how to strip YouTube audio. If you find it as annoying as we do, you might want to mute the sound on your device. )

Store and Bakery

Date Palm Orchard

Date bread, date cookies, date muffin, and coconut date shake; definitely worth the drive.

We were able to get in a little hike;

Yep, Captain is hiking again!

Always a pleasant surprise when we run into new friends we have met in our travels. We first met Tina at Lake Havasu, again at Death Valley National Park; the third time at China Ranch Date Farm required a photo.

Tina is a realtor in Newark, CA traveling solo in her Winnebago Minnie Winnie.

On through the city

stopping first in Riverside, CA, where we had dinner with Captain’s cousin.

Having not seen Barbara in about 15 years, there was a lot of catching up to do.

Located in the area is the Nixon Presidential Library, allowing us to check off number 10 of 13 presidential libraries.

We don’t know about you, but when we think of President Nixon, all that comes to mind is Watergate and his resignation. We didn’t remember all he had accomplished in his 5 year tenure.

·       Created the EPA

·       Signed the Clean Air Act of 1970

·       Signed Title IX, opening the door for female athletes

·       Ended the military draft

·       Began the pulling the troops out of Vietnam

To name a few

ABN felt a bit of nostalgia when she saw a uniform Pat Nixon wore when she was serving with the Red Cross.

Moving on to the coast,

Morro Rock in Morro Bay

we joined 40+ Lazy Daze at Morro Bay, CA; some vintage, a lot old (like ours) and a few new.

Most were from the Southern California Caravan club and were weekend/vacation RVers. The exception was Lauralee, Joan and Debbie, three strong women traveling alone, full time.

Once again we had a bit of a bump in our Winter 2020 Adventure; the Coronavirus. No we are not sick or in quarantine, and as far as we know we have not been exposed. The reason for this trek to the California coast was to meet other Lazy Daze owners at an annual gathering to glean ideas for modifications. In past years open houses were a part of this sharing of ideas. But COVID-19 had reared its ugly head making it risky for folks to go in and out of the RVs. We were very disappointed but still found it interesting to gather for tech talks and we came away with some useful information.

While we were on the coast,

(wrong, we didn’t try another spa) we checked out the famous Hearst Castle.

Indoor Pool

Only a small portion of the wine cellar.

Yeah, it was a bit opulent to say the least.

Turning The Wanderer east, we traveled back through Los Angeles

to Anza-Borrego DesertState Park.

We found a pretty much isolated place to park (for free for 30 days)

and are contemplating self-quarantining, not because we have knowingly been exposed but, well it is pretty and, except for the rain, the weather is agreeable. We stopped in Ventura to buy toilet paper supplies; we have plenty of solar, propane, gas, cell phone service and satellite TV.

Just kidding! While it is a good idea and ABN is living her dream,

on Saturday we will continue our journey east with home on the radar; (Unless we are stranded due to flash floods or forbidden to enter our home state.)

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