June 16, 2013 - Route 66 to Barstow

I was sad to have to leave our campsite this morning, but we have reservations in Dana Point day after tomorrow and need to make the hot trek across the desert.  We departed our campsite at 7:45.

Main Street, Williams AZ

To make lemon-aide out of lemon's we decided to explore old Route 66 starting in the town of Williams, a fun stop before the long drive through the desert. 

Route 66 Williams, AZ

 

Main Street, Williams AZ

We hopped on 70 for awhile and them hoped off at the exit for Ashfork, the flagstone capitol of the United States.  We passed acres and acres of flagstone ready to be shipped out.

Ashfork, AZ

 After Ashfork,

we were once again on reservation land, traveling 37 miles with little development.   We passed our first train which reminded me of those I used to watch for when traveling with my parents and looking for the caboose so I could wave to the caboose man.  Almost always he would return my wave.  Between here and Barstow we passed 4 more lengthy trains.

The next settlement was the town of Seligman another 20 miles down the road.

Seligman, AZ

 We passed Berma Shave signs similar to these outside of Seligman:

Berma Shave Sign, Hackleberry General Store

Two sets I noted were:

Cattle Crossing
Please go Slow
That old bull
is some cows beau
Burma Shave

and

You can drive 
A mile a minute
But there's no future in it
Burma Shave 


The person who owns the Hackberry General Store is an original Picker.  

Hackleberry Country Store

Hackleberry Country Store

Hackleberry General Store

Hackleberry General Store

Hackleberry General Store

We spent a lot of time exploring both outside


and inside

Inside Hackleberry General Store

Inside Hackleberry General Store

All things remenisant of the time I grew up,  but this bag that when on the front of the car before going across the desert most of all.

We stopped in lunch at In N Out in Kingman, Arizona, and decided to push ahead.  I had to tell Snoppy's Uncle Spike I was sorry we would not be stopping to visit with the temperature at 108 degrees.  We chose to stay outside of beautiful Barstow at Comfort Suites in Lenwood.  We were once again happy to be in air conditioning and almost across the desert.  In the vicinity of our hotel was every fast food joint imaginable.  We decided we wanted (real ) Mexican and drove back to Barstow, ending up at Los Domingos which was packed.  We were happy with our dinner.

June 17, 2013 - Inland Empire and Dana Point

After a restful night at Comfort Suites Barstow, we were once again on the road a little before 8:30. The hotel was a respite in an awful location.  

Interstate 15 entering the Inland Empire

 Wow! Surprised to find Victorville so large and only 20 minutes down the road. Hesperia had big chain hotels, would probably continued on had we realized how close we were.

As we drop down into the basin we lost sight of the mountains for the first time in over 2 weeks.


Driving into Norco from Ontario, it's a far cry from the town full of dairies it was when we lived here 30 years ago when they began building this freeway and we moved back to Orange County.  Temescal Valley, right outside of Corona on I15 is a town that didn't exists with Anthropology, Sur La Table, wow,the Inland Empire has sure changed!  

The mountains behind Candace and Kevin's home and garden, in Murrietta, looked beautiful as we stopped by for a quick visit.I have to remember to get the recipe for the lasagna garden in the fall. We will enjoy the bounty of apricots, arugula and squash from her garden when we get home!

Lake Elsinore from Highway 71, Lookout Road House

After leaving Candace's we headed for Dana Point over Highway 71.  This was a regular drive I remember taking with my parents and Aunt Lib.  We'd make a loop from home through the Santa Ana Canyon, a 4 lane road, over the Ortega Highway and  home.  We'd  almost always make a stop at Foster's Freeze in Corona for a frosty cone.  In later years I went to summer camp and church at the Lazy W, a Methodist Camp along the same road.  Not much has changes once you get into the hills, until approaching San Juan Capistrano.

We decided to stop in San Juan Capistrano for lunch.  Parking was a chore, we had to drive to the other side of the rail road tracks to find a spot that wasn't in a parking garage.

Amtrack crossing in San Juan Capistrano

We had lunch at Sarducci's Cafe, right along the rail road tracks in downtown San Juan Capistrano.  

Patio at Sarducci's Cafe

We were late enough to get a table alongside the fountain.  Setting was wonderful, food was ok, beer was great!

TV adjacent to tub?  Really wasted on us!

We had reservations at the Best Western Dana Point.  I don't think I realized it was right on PCH.   Other than the noise if you open the window the room was fine.  The bathroom was enormous with a spa tub and a TV on the wall right next to it.  The biggest down side to this hotel was that it had a parking garage, so the truck and camper had to be parked on the street, luckily we found a spot each time we left and returned.

Wonderful reunion with our friends and family from the Greece Cruise along with Greek Food at Paul and Colleens this evening.

June 18, 2013 - Crystal Cove and Laguna Beach

  

The Beachcomber Crystal Cove State Park

Awoke to good ol' June Gloom, which is definatly here in Santa Rosa as I write this at the end of July. Lazed around the room until 9:45, had planned to have breakfast at The Cottage, but were saddened to find it had closed.  

Crystal Cove State Beach Shacks

As plan B we drove through Laguna Beach to The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove State Park for a lovely breakfast and to watch the fog burn off.  The fog did burn off for a short time, only to appear again. I had a delicious French Toast made with brioche, banana and nuts. Too much to eat! Mark had a scramble.  

 I loved the way the tunnel to the beach had been painted by school children.After a walk on the beach we drove up to Crystal Cove Shopping Center to become inspired at Juxtaposition.

Driving through Laguna Beach reminds me of all the trips I  took with mom and dad to Baja before the 405 was built, driving in stop and go traffic until we hit the 5 in Dana Point. I think that's why that “Beach Cities” exit is forever etched in my memory.

South Laguna Beach

We spent the late afternoon and evening with Bob and Peggy in San Clemente.

June 19 - Home again

Interstate 5 Orange County

We departed Dana Point at 6:45 am for the long, but not so winding road home!  Our Southwest adventure had come to a close.

Eureka Dunes, The Race Track and Mono Lake for Thanksgiving 2012

 November 18, 2012

After a couple of weeks of weather watching it was finally time to decide, do we drive Interstate 5 to Tehachapi or attempt to cross the Sierra's around Tahoe.  Since things seemed to be drying up after some rain at home we decided to risk it and drive Highway 50 over the mountains to Highway 395.  Even this morning the Cal-trans sites were saying chains were needed to cross the summit, we gambled that by the time we reached the summit there would possibly be rain, not snow.  We were partially correct, no chains were needed and there was rain AND snow.  

Echo Summit

What a winter wonderland Echo Summit was as the snow fell. Neither Mark nor I could remember the last time we drove as the snow was falling.   We made great time and were over the mountain soon after noon having left Petaluma around 9:30.  Once over the mountains we headed to our nights destination, Topaz Lake, Nevada for lunch.  We pondered driving on a few hours, but after lunch we were ready to relax for the rest of the day.

November 19, 2012

We left Topaz Lake after a beautiful sunrise and our first steak and egg breakfast at the Topaz Lake Lodge Restaurant.  We had to try it, the price was a meer 4.95.  The steak was so tender and tasted wonderful with the eggs and hash browns.  

Approaching June Lake Turnoff

We were on our way south to Eureka dunes by 8:30.  The roads were clear and the Sierras beautiful.  A brief stop was made at Manzanar to visit the new to us visitors center.  

Manzanar Auditorium, now Visitor Center

It is in what was the auditorium during the internment of the Japanese.  There's no way the State Park System would ever have been able to build such a magnificent building in recent years.  After lunch in Lone Pine we left the highway and headed for Death Valley Road, which had a sign saying the road to Eureka Dunes was closed.  We apprehensively headed down the  miles of road figuring if we had to return to Big Pine for the night, so be it.  We soon learned that you can't believe what rode signs say. 

 The road was fine, a passenger car could have traversed it.  Once to the small campground with about 10 sites spread over a mile or so, we positioned our campers so we would have a wind break should the wind blow, which it did.  

Mark headed off into the Eureka Dunes where he spent about 4 hours shooting.

 After having been out in the dunes for about 4 hours we were all concerned about Mark's whereabouts.  As the sun began to set he finally meandered back into camp.

Sunset at Eureka Dunes was spectacular!

November 20, 2012

It was a chilly morning in the dunes, the mountains blocked the sun until about 8:00 and we didn't realize we'd be at a higher altitude where the temperature would be cooler.  We left the campground around 8:30.   Driving into Eureka Dunes we passed one car and two cars as we left.  The road was  paved for the first 26 miles off of Highway 395, the final 20 miles is unpaved. The  drive into Eureka Dunes was about 80 minutes. Traveled through a narrow stone canyon, up barren hillsides through pine and Joshua Tree forests as we traversed the hills. View of the Sierras as we approached 395 was spectacular. After gassing up in Lone Pine we paralleled Owens Lake for the drive to Panament Springs "Resort".  Our camp site was basically a rocky parking lot with some bushes and a sorry excuse for a bathroom and showers.  For $15.00 a night, we couldn't complain, but I longed for the beauty and tranquility of Eureka Dunes.  We now know that Panament Springs is where the four wheelers and bikers stay.  

November 21, 2012

This morning we decided to risk yet another closed road sign and drive

Saline Valley Road, at its best.

Saline Valley Road to Hunter Mountain Road going over the mountain and into Hidden Valley and finally coming out at the road to The Race Track.  

Saline Valley Road as it worsened

Mark shooting the Panament Valley

The tires said, "Auhhh" the soft sand felt so good!

The road had suffered from recent washouts, but was passable and a beautiful drive through many different ecosystems.  Not sure I'd make the drive again, but sure am glad we did.  It was definately one of the high points of a magnificent trip.  After 4 hours we reached Tea Kettle Junction.  There were no where near the number of teakettles I'd seen in other photos before leaving home.  From here it was about another 45 minutes to the Grandstand and then another 30 to The Race Track.

Jack Ass Canyon

The Race Track

The soft sand turned quickly in to rough rock for most of the remaining drive into the race track.

coming down off of Hunter Mountain

Gap

We were so late getting back to the pavement we decided to stop for dinner in Stove Pipe wells rather than cooking dinner in the dark at 8:00.  It was about 9 when we arrived back at our campsite from a long but exciting day.

November  22, 2012

After all the off road driving yesterday we decided to stick mostly to the pavement today.  We began the morning with a drive through Wild Rose Canyon and up to the Charcoal Kilns.  Another drive through diverse ecosystems.  

Terri and I hiked up hill about a mile to check out one of the high elevation campgrounds.  We then headed to Furnace Creek and the remodeled visitor center and campground.  In retrospect wish I'd have re-booked when Furnace Creek Campground began taking reservations, it's by far the best campground in the park.  While there we checked out the menu at the Inn at Furnace Creek and decided that's what we'd do rather than cook next year.

The Charcoal Kilns

We arrived back at the campsite about 3 and began prepping our turkey dinner.  Much to our surprise the restaurant at the resort had served a free Thanksgiving Buffet from noon until 3.  We had the turkey breast on the grill and all the burners on both of our stoves cooking.  The feast was served at about 5:30 to candlelight on a comfortable desert evening. 

November 23, 2012

The journey home began today.  We decided to stop for lunch at Mono Lake.  After exploring the visitor center and talking to one of the rangers we went down to the South Tufa Area.  So glad we did, words can not describe the beauty of that area.

Mono Lake South Tufa Area

Mono Lake from South Tufa Area

We  spent the final night back at Topaz Lodge before heading back over the Sierras ans into the Bay Area.  Another wonderful Thanksgiving in Death Valley and beyond was shared by all!

Running around on Hwy 395 between Bridgeport and Lee Vining for a shot.

March 2013

What a surprise it was on the morning of March 19 when we left what we thought was a so so camp site to drive into the real Pinnacles National Park.  We did enjoy watching the bunnies hop around and the quail scurry here and there, but there wasn't much else near the campground.  Little did we know what was to be found just about 2 1/2 miles away.  

We decided to drive up and at least do a short walk on the Bear Creek Trail before leaving the park in the morning.  Our short hike turned to an almost 4 mile hike up and down the mountain.   The trail was fragrant with wild lilac and wild flowers bloomed along the way.  

We skirted a stream until we got to a narrow pathway between the rocks which eventually became the caves.  We couldn't hike through the caves because we had neglected to bring our flashlights, alas something for next time.

We continued on to the reservoir.  Which was a spectacular site.

After leaving Pinnacles we took a dirt road over to 101 at Gonzales and headed for Arroyo Seco Campground.  This was a nice quiet campground, only us and one other guest.  The hosts were quite chatty.  The highlight of our night here came at sunset when hundreds of bats were suddenly overhead.

Our final night we headed to New Brighton State Beach in Capitola.  We made a stop at Sea Cliff State Beach, about 2 miles south to check out the cement boat sunk at the end of the pier.  

Turns put the boat was brought to the park as part of an amusement park years ago. 

We decide to enjoy the beautiful day and drive home down the Great Highway, stopping at Landsend to get a beautiful view of the bay and bridge.