We have been in Chowchilla, CA., about 150 miles southeast of San Francisco, for a week.  There is not much going on in this town of 18,720, but it has some interesting history since it's first post office was established in 1912 and the city incorporation in 1923.   The good points are a really nice, clean Safe Mart grocery store 1/2 mile from the park and a Catholic Church only 1.8 miles away with very little attendance.   We spent one afternoon  exploring  2 wineries in Madera, a community about 15 miles south of Chowchilla.   Although it is not as well know as the Napa or Sonoma Valleys it has a wine trail of 10 wineries.   Although we had to buy a bottle of locally produced and distributed wine, the best purchase of the day were 2 bags of pistachios, also locally grown.    

We also ventured a trip to Yosemite National Park.   It is located about 80 miles northeast of Chowchilla, but it is a 2 hour and 10 minute one way drive.   All roads but the Tioga Road that runs the entire width of the park were opened.  The Tioga, still closed due to snow cover, does not usually open until late May or June.   Yosemite N.P., reaches across the western  Sierra Nevada and encompasses over 761,000 acres, 1189 square miles and is the size of Rhode Island,   but as the shuttle driver informed us most all of the  3.9 million annual  visitors only visit  7 square miles of the Yosemite Valley.

We picked the perfect time of year to visit.  There were enough people there to make it interesting, but not so crowded that you had to wait for shuttles, food service or in line to grab a picture.   Also the best time to view the massive waterfalls are in April since they are totally dry by summer.

As in most photography of natural wonders, pictures do not do it justice.   But here are a few:

Upper Yosemite Falls

Lower Yosemite Falls, one of the parks easier hikes.  
Yes, we did get our camera back and yes, Ron is more trusting than I am! 

El Capitan, (7,569 ft elevation)  a vertical rock formation of granite monolith that extends about 3,000 feet from  summit along its tallest face and is one of the world's challenges for rock climbers.   We didn't see any the day we were there. 

Half Dome - a  granite dome,  extending 4,737 feet above the valley floor at an 8,840 feet elevation  is probably  Yosemite's most familiar rock formation, as shown on the state quarter and was the inspiration for The North Face corporate logo.  The view from the valley looks like only 1/2 the dome exists is an illusion.   To see Half Dome closer requires an 8.2 mile cable hike.   Needless to say we only viewed from the valley.

Half Dome later in the day engulfed by low lying clouds.

Bridalveil Falls

Tunnel View scenic overlook and historic site.    This overlook affords expansive views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls and Half Dome.  

One of my favorite pictures.

One of the areas we wanted to see was the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.   The drive from Yosemite Valley was  just over 1 hour.   We arrived around 4:30pm  which we felt was too late for the 2 mile up hill hike to the grove so we only were able to view a few at the entry.   Starting in May there is a tram that takes you up to the top.....the only way to go for us.   We will just have to come back!    

Picture of the base of one of the "smaller" Sequoias.   We don't have the right camera equipment 

to get really good pictures of the full tree.  They can live for over 2,000 years and their trunks can reach over 25 feet thick. 

We will be leaving Chowchilla tomorrow heading for the San Francisco Bay area.   I have a first cousin that I've only met once before (I think) and that was several years ago.  

  He is very excited about our visit and so are we!

Hope all is well!

Are We in another State, Country or Planet?

We have been in sunny southern California since the first of April  attending a company conference.       But we are wondering if we have landed in another State or Country?    I usually buy water by the gallon and not the individual bottles, but I saw a case for a very good price at Walmart, so I grabbed them and proceeded to the check out counter.  Since I purchased only a few items I quickly realized the bill was a little higher than I expected.   In reviewing the bill I saw a CRV fee.   A what?    California Refund Value????    Well, come to find out it is a surcharge placed on all plastic, aluminum, glass and bi metal  items that will eventually end up in a landfill.   Ok….I guess that makes sense.   The fee is reimbursed if you take the containers to a recycling center…that’s probably not going to happen.

Then one afternoon we were running late since we tried to make some stops during our 1.5 hour conference lunch break, but when the low fuel light came on we knew we had to stop for gas.  So we rushed up to the pump, put in our credit card and was immediately asked for a pin number.   After trying this 3 times, I ran inside and inquired why  their stupid machine was asking  for a pin number when I put in a credit card. 

 Well, I was informed they only accept debit cards..and NO credit cards.   Shows you how often I use our debit card.  We also notice you can not lock the gas pump for automatic flow, you have to stand there and hold it the entire time.

I guess that's to prevent a spill - another environmental issue.   I'm all for protecting the ozone but when your in a hurry......

Welcome to California.  

  But, the Palm Desert area is beautiful with its wide boulevards, lush  landscaping and mountain vistas. 
We were pleasantly surprised after being so disappointed when we where in Palm Springs a couple of years ago.    We had to catch up on our taxes, laundry and organizing our conference notes (while I could still decipher what I wrote) we weren't able to sight- see as much as we would have liked.

Palm Desert located in the Coachella Valley, surrounded by the Santa Rosa, San Jacinto and
the Little San Bernardino Mountains

.  

Beautiful, lush grounds around the RV resort.

And some beautiful sunsets!

We left the Palm Desert area last Tuesday heading for Bakersfield, CA.  Bakersfield brags a 300,000+ population, but we haven't found much to see close by.    We did find a "pick-ur-own" family farm specializing in oranges, cherries and corn.  We had a late  lunch of Okie Fried Pie (Joan's choice) and Shepard Pie (Ron's choice).   Bought some homemade Peach Preserve, Blueberry Jam and Marinated Asparagus.

Entrance to Murray Family Farms.

Apparently they are famous for their Okie Fry Pies, so I had to try one.  
It was good, but I wouldn't go out of my way to have another.


We did spend a couple of hours geocaching one afternoon.   Although it didn't take us to any place too exciting, we did find 3 out of 4.  Which always makes for a happier Ron.  He hates when we go out for hours and find none.   I'm trying to convince him the fun is in the hunt and not the catch, but he hasn't bought into that theory yet. 

         

 We like the campground we are in,  which was designed around an orange grove.  They even give you a huge bag of oranges when you check in!   Some of the juiciest and sweetest I've every had.  

All the fruit has been harvested, but every time you step outside you can still smell the sweet aroma from the blossoms.

Surrounded by orange groves....I guess that's how they came up with the name of the park -
Orange Grove RV Resort.......original.

There are also  a few Olive Trees around the park.

Car temperature gauge on April 20th.   Time to start moving North!!!!

Hope all is well!

GO CARDS!

We are excited we have satellite service and can get FoxMidwest to watch the St. Louis Cardinals opener complete with the 2011 World Series and Hall of Fame ceremonies.

The team is already 5-2....
GO CARDS!!!!!

2 Rallys & 1 Convention....

Two rally’s and a convention in 6 weeks!  Phew…we are worn out.   After attending the Gypsy Journal Rally in Yuma the first part of March, we found our way to Casa Grande AZ (50 miles NE Phoenix) to attend a Tiffin Rally.   The rally was held at Palm Creek Golf RV Resort, a beautiful rv park surrounding  an 18 hole executive par 3 golf course.   Unlike the rally in Yuma with many vendors and educational seminars, this rally is primarily a social event for all Tiffin motorhome owners to meet, greet and eat.   Yes, I never thought I would say there was too much food but the resort did an excellent job of keeping us feed three meals for three days.   Entertainment was provided each night.   One night was a 60’s & 70’s show and another night of bingo.   Friends we met a couple of years ago also own a Tiffin and we were excited to see them again.   Ray & Cathie are members of the Lucky 7’s Tiffin chapter out of Las Vegas  and were nice enough to introduce us to the other chapter members in attendance.   By the end of the rally we became members too.   How can you go wrong….a great group of people, with a common interest, who meet monthly at various locations around Las Vegas, no club dues and no rules!!   Another couple we met through Ray & Cathie over a year ago, who also full-time in their motorhome are staying at another park in Casa Grande.   We were with Bob and Sandi (along with Ray and Cathie) at the Yuma rally and since we were all together again in Casa Grande we had a nice lunch at Mimi’s one day and a quiet, relaxing afternoon sitting outside on the patio at their park.   Cathie and Ray headed back to their home in Laughlin, NV and Sandi and Bob are making their way towards an Alaskan tour via their motorhome.   

Sculpture on the ground of the resort.

We left Casa Grande to go back to Tucson and Lazydays....one last time.... we hope for awhile.   This time was an elective service.   We bought a Coleman BBQ grill over a year ago and have been using the small portable propane canisters.   We have since heard that it is illegal to transport them so we had Lazydays install a T onto our motorhome propane tank so we can use the fuel from that for the grill.   Within less than an hour of arrival the installation was complete.   We chose to stay for the night and get an early start for our trip to Palm Desert, California.

Our drive to Palm Desert was pretty much uneventful other than some winds.   We have never driven in a dust storm but have heard nightmare stories, so we watch closely in those parts of the country that are known for them.   Caught  this picture of a dust funnel but luckily it never came near the highway.
,
We arrived at the Emerald Desert RV Resort in time to help with check in & registration and the founder of Southeast Publications famous "Hotdog Cookout".

Second generation -thirty-seven year old President & CEO of Southeast Publications.
Very bright, progressive and rich!!!!

The next 3 days were jammed packed from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm with the introduction of new products,  seminars and nightly dinners and entertainment.  


The conference wrapped up Friday morning with an invitation only breakfast at Coco's which was really nice other than the start time of 7:30am!!!


We are still at Emerald Desert Resort for a little R&R after the conference.   Our plans are to leave Monday and start heading north through California although we are not sure where we are heading nor which route to take.   All we know is we WILL NOT drive through or even close to LA. 


Hope all is well!