Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Park Sierra RV Park - Coarsegold CA
Park Sierra is a member-owned RV park and is part of the Escapees RV group. We joined Escapees recently in part because they offer a mailing forwarding service that is handy for RVers, but also because it afforded us (Tom and Tank) a chance to stay at the Coarsegold park.
The park is home to a lot of very nice and social people. The cost of the stay was very reasonable, and the location - just south of Yosemite is great.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
False Start - a Return to the Starting Line
In March we hit the road again. The plan is to take Wendy's Mom - Eva to visit her sister in Reedley, then drop her off with Wendy's sisters in South Pasadena. Once that's done, Tom and I plan to head to San Diego for a visit with Matthew then eastward into Arizona, New Mexico, and warmer climates beyond.
March 2: Reedley CA
We've made inquiries and intend to stay at the Wakehouse, a newly renovated brewery and campground. Once we get there, I'm disappointed. The "renovation" was to the restaurant and electrical only. The campground bathrooms look rundown with dilapidated trailers nearby. Further, the backdrop is the major highway bridge leading into Reedley.
So, I make Tom hightail it out to Lindy's Landing & Campground. The campsites here are very spacious with full hook-ups. Although there are more people here, it's much more peaceful because there's no traffic noise.
We head over to my aunt's to drop Mom off and spend a couple of days in Reedley to let her visit.
March 4: Pala CA
Then it's off to my sister's place. Let me tell you, South Pasadena is NOT designed for RVs. We probably scared a lot of the cars on those narrow streets! We managed to find a "sort of" parking spot for the RV and toad in front of my sister's place and dropped off Mom and her things.
Our camping destination is Pala Casino & RV Resort near Temecula. We were here last April, and it is one of my favorite places to stay. There's a shuttle that picks up at the RV resort for the casino, but the casino is only across the parking lot (maybe 1/4 to 1/3 mile?), so we usually opt to walk.
Last time we were here, we had happy hour tacos at Luis Rey's, the outdoor bar. Unfortunately, this time, it was closed for renovations. (An fyi from last year, the lobster bisque at the Pala Cafe is to die for!) This time, we did the happy hour at Bar Meets Grill, and it was another winner. We also stumbled on 'The Cave', a wine bar. It's outside and downstairs, so a little hidden. We didn't find it until around closing time, so we'll have to put it on our list for next time.
During this visit, we took some time to explore a couple of places. We went into Bonsall and used our Christmas gift to see the Black Panther. I think it's been years since I've actually gone to a theater to see a movie, so this was a real treat.
We also visited the Palomar Observatory. Palomar is operated by Cal Tech and houses the 200-inch Hale telescope.
After the observatory, we detoured to Julian/Santa Ysabel to get a caramel apple pie and lunch. At Don's Market we found some Julian Hard Ciders. There were six varieties: Harvest Apple, Cherry Bomb, Black and Blue (with blackberries and blue berries), Razzmatazz (with raspberries), Apple Pie, and Pearanormal (with mint leaves, pear juice, and lime).
March 7: Admiral Baker Park - San Diego CA
The next leg of our journey takes us to San Diego. We are very pleased to find Admiral Baker RV Park that is less than a mile away from Matthew's place. Admiral Baker Park is a US Navy recreation facility with an RV park that allows civilians to stay.
Matthew invites us over to dinner our first day there. As the day grows later, Matthew texts that dinner might be delayed because of an issue with the trolley he takes home. No details, but we hear on the news that there is a gas line rupture near the Fashion Valley Mall (close to the trolley line and near where Matthew used to live). They've closed a 5 mile stretch of State Route 163 (a five lane highway).
Fortunately, Matthew took another route home and dinner was on time. He made us a phenomenal dinner of phoenix and dragon (A dish with Chicken, Shrimp, avocado, pine nuts and celery in a cream sauce). As some of you may know, Chinois phoenix and dragon is one of Wendy's favor dishes. (We were so busy eating, we forgot to take pictures for the blog!)
While in San Diego, I got the chance to meet up with my volleyball buddy, Deanna, for lunch at Eureka! at Westfield UTC. I haven't seen her since we were down this way last year, and it's always a fun time seeing Deanna!
We also had a couple of more chances to meet up with Matthew for a world tour breakfast at Hanna's Gourmet and yet another delicious Mexican dinner at Ponce's. We'll have to keep Ponce's on the list for another visit!
March 13: Indian Waters RV Resort & Cottages - Indio CA
Well, it's finally time to head east. So we set course for the Indian Waters RV Resort & Cottages in Indio, CA. We pass all the windmill farms heading out towards Palm Springs.
Indian Waters is very well-kept and geared towards snowbirds and full-time RVers. We strike gold for Tom and get a site right across from the six dedicated pickleball courts! The courts are open for play every morning, and there is no lack of players. We may be back here next winter.
Tom also broke out his new BBQ for the first time and prepared us a gourmet meal.
The 2018 BNP Paribas Open is happening in Indian Wells the week that we are there, so we decided to check it out.
March 2: Reedley CA
We've made inquiries and intend to stay at the Wakehouse, a newly renovated brewery and campground. Once we get there, I'm disappointed. The "renovation" was to the restaurant and electrical only. The campground bathrooms look rundown with dilapidated trailers nearby. Further, the backdrop is the major highway bridge leading into Reedley.
We head over to my aunt's to drop Mom off and spend a couple of days in Reedley to let her visit.
March 4: Pala CA
Then it's off to my sister's place. Let me tell you, South Pasadena is NOT designed for RVs. We probably scared a lot of the cars on those narrow streets! We managed to find a "sort of" parking spot for the RV and toad in front of my sister's place and dropped off Mom and her things.
Our camping destination is Pala Casino & RV Resort near Temecula. We were here last April, and it is one of my favorite places to stay. There's a shuttle that picks up at the RV resort for the casino, but the casino is only across the parking lot (maybe 1/4 to 1/3 mile?), so we usually opt to walk.
Last time we were here, we had happy hour tacos at Luis Rey's, the outdoor bar. Unfortunately, this time, it was closed for renovations. (An fyi from last year, the lobster bisque at the Pala Cafe is to die for!) This time, we did the happy hour at Bar Meets Grill, and it was another winner. We also stumbled on 'The Cave', a wine bar. It's outside and downstairs, so a little hidden. We didn't find it until around closing time, so we'll have to put it on our list for next time.
During this visit, we took some time to explore a couple of places. We went into Bonsall and used our Christmas gift to see the Black Panther. I think it's been years since I've actually gone to a theater to see a movie, so this was a real treat.
We also visited the Palomar Observatory. Palomar is operated by Cal Tech and houses the 200-inch Hale telescope.
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| Palomar observatory |
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| Hale telescope |
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| Julian Pie Company |
After the observatory, we detoured to Julian/Santa Ysabel to get a caramel apple pie and lunch. At Don's Market we found some Julian Hard Ciders. There were six varieties: Harvest Apple, Cherry Bomb, Black and Blue (with blackberries and blue berries), Razzmatazz (with raspberries), Apple Pie, and Pearanormal (with mint leaves, pear juice, and lime).
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| Our/my haul |
March 7: Admiral Baker Park - San Diego CA
The next leg of our journey takes us to San Diego. We are very pleased to find Admiral Baker RV Park that is less than a mile away from Matthew's place. Admiral Baker Park is a US Navy recreation facility with an RV park that allows civilians to stay.
Matthew invites us over to dinner our first day there. As the day grows later, Matthew texts that dinner might be delayed because of an issue with the trolley he takes home. No details, but we hear on the news that there is a gas line rupture near the Fashion Valley Mall (close to the trolley line and near where Matthew used to live). They've closed a 5 mile stretch of State Route 163 (a five lane highway).
Fortunately, Matthew took another route home and dinner was on time. He made us a phenomenal dinner of phoenix and dragon (A dish with Chicken, Shrimp, avocado, pine nuts and celery in a cream sauce). As some of you may know, Chinois phoenix and dragon is one of Wendy's favor dishes. (We were so busy eating, we forgot to take pictures for the blog!)
While in San Diego, I got the chance to meet up with my volleyball buddy, Deanna, for lunch at Eureka! at Westfield UTC. I haven't seen her since we were down this way last year, and it's always a fun time seeing Deanna!
We also had a couple of more chances to meet up with Matthew for a world tour breakfast at Hanna's Gourmet and yet another delicious Mexican dinner at Ponce's. We'll have to keep Ponce's on the list for another visit!
March 13: Indian Waters RV Resort & Cottages - Indio CA
Well, it's finally time to head east. So we set course for the Indian Waters RV Resort & Cottages in Indio, CA. We pass all the windmill farms heading out towards Palm Springs.
Indian Waters is very well-kept and geared towards snowbirds and full-time RVers. We strike gold for Tom and get a site right across from the six dedicated pickleball courts! The courts are open for play every morning, and there is no lack of players. We may be back here next winter.
Tom also broke out his new BBQ for the first time and prepared us a gourmet meal.
The 2018 BNP Paribas Open is happening in Indian Wells the week that we are there, so we decided to check it out.
March 20: Stockton Ho!
Our stay at Indian River comes to a close. However, the plan to continue on to Arizona has to be modified due to family obligations, so instead, we pick-up Wendy's mom and return to our starting point/line, Stockton, for another stay. However, this was a fun getaway and a good chance to relax.