In the desert oasis

Here we are, at last, on the edge of the CA/AZ border outside of beautiful(?) downtown Blythe, CA. What a great place to spend our anniversary, huh? Friday, we had a delayed departure from Lompoc because we both wanted to go see Solvang before we left. The delayed departure put us in the middle of Friday rush hour traffic in the LA area. It's a REALLY BIG area for traffic. It slowed our travel significantly with stop and stop and go (a little bit) and stop. Well, all the "stops" did a number on the brakes. They got hot and started to disappear. Finally made it across 24 lanes of traffic (actually 4) and got off in Irwindale to check them out. We have now joined the legions of RV'rs that have stayed at a Walmart! whoopee.... It was noisy but allowed me to verify the brakes were still OK after they cooled. Hit the road again in the AM.

Made it to Beaumont and stayed in a very nice County Park up on a hillside Saturday and Sunday nights. Price was nice also. With the Passport America discount, it was only $6 per night. (Paul's idea of "nice" is almost empty:) The stop there also allowed us to catch up on our laundry and for me to get a much need haircut.

On the way here we visited a Costco in Coachella for provisions and Gas for the RV. $1.84/Gal!! Then we visited Love's Truck Stop to dump the tanks and T/A America for propane. 3 hours later, we have full gas, water tank and empty holding tanks. Not many miles covered today but great progress in maintaining our valuable resources.

Tomorrow, we may make it all the way to the Phoenix area, or not. We will see the Mike Burns family while there and spend Thanksgiving somewhere yet to be determined. We need to find a spot for a week or 2 to rest up for the final dash to San Antonio for Christmas. At 150 to 200 miles per day, we need to monitor our progress and plan accordingly as to where we'll be staying between Phoenix and San Antonio as well as in the San Antonio area. It is a 5-6 day run with the RV and do not want to be late!