ALMOST HOME

The last couple of days we have been traveling South and there hasn't really been anything interesting to talk about. We spent last night in a place called the Almond Tree RV Resort in Coalinga, CA.  A place not worth mentioning, and by the way, there are no almond trees, just dirt and gravel.  Driving all day through central California passing miles and miles of golden hills spotted with a few oak trees.  Once we were close enough to see the aqueduct we began seeing huge groves of fruit and nut trees along both sides of the Interstate. Now we have reached Oceano and are camped near sand dunes and the Pacific Ocean for the next 4 nights.

It has been a great two months on the road. We have camped in 24 different places in a little over 60 days. But as they say, "There is no place like home." We've been in Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and enjoyed every single day.  So, the 2019 edition of my adventures has come to an end.

Good news, we've already started planning for  2020.  Bye for now!

GOING WEST

Last night in Truckee Kathe and I noticed the sunset was a beautiful pinky-blue. By the time she took out her phone and took this picture it looked like the sky exploded. Pink sky at night, sailors delight!

This morning we left Truckee and started West on the I-80 towards Manteca, California.  It was a pretty rough ride down the mountain. You know you're in California when as soon as you cross the Nevada State line the roads go from smooth pavement to rough and bumpy concrete. The road was pitted and we kept shaking back and forth in the grooves left by the truckers and snow chains. Funny how all that money Kathe and Jim pay for diesel fuel hasn't changed the condition of the California highways. Also interesting, when we got closer to Sacramento the highway miraculously improved.

We finally arrived here at the French Camp RV Resort where it's over 100 degrees in the shade. All was fine except about an hour after we hooked up, the power went out in the whole park. I tried to talk Kathe into lying down on the cool tile floor with me, but no go!

Turns out someone hit a power pole outside the park and the whole area is without juice for until it's repaired.  Lucky for us our generator has enough power to keep us cool all night long.

PARTY AT DONNER

Today we were supposed to rest and relax.  Well, that's exactly what I did. Jim and Kathe hung
around this morning doing chores. Then they decided to go out and explore the historic town of Truckee and have lunch. After a little shopping in the town, they headed for Jax at the Trax. Jax is a 1948 aluminium diner which was brought to Truckee from Pennsylvania.  It was featured on the program Diners and Dives, so of course they had to eat there.

Kathe talked Jim into going to the Donner Memorial State Park where they watched a film about the fate of the Donner Party.  There were also several interesting short videos about travel on the Donner road in the early days of automobile travel, and the building of the railroad tracks through the pass. 12,000 Chinese immigrants worked on the construction of the snow tunnels and a granite wall.  The China Wall of the Sierras, as it was called, was built to support the train tracks.

The forest service built a bridge over the roughest parts of the summit road originally for the lumber industry. That road brought more automobiles to the Donner Summit Road. This bridge is called the Rainbow Bridge and was completed in the 1920's. It was quite a drive up to the 7,057 foot summit and they really enjoyed the day.

BACK IN CALI

We picked up the I-80 outside of Winnemucca this morning and drove straight through Sparks and Reno to stop here in Truckee. Kathe thought this was the park we stayed in last time we were in this area. Not only was it a different park, but it was probably the most challenging one ever.  By the time they squeezed into the entrance to the park and up the dog leg, one lane road to their site, they still had to back into the site between two trees. Kathe was a wreck! Happy to report no scratches and no divorces in the near future.

We're  in the trees alright, and we have a nice grassy lawn in the shade. Jim says, it's okay except for the trains and the fact that the I-80 is whizzing by our rear end. Next year, I'm letting Kathy Taylor book ALL the sites.  My Kathe seems to have lost her touch. Guess you can't always go by the reviews and pictures on the internet. I took some pictures that makes it look pretty nice, right?

We have another day here and will relax because the next two days are one night stands on the I-5. Lots of driving and not much fun until we get to Pismo Beach.

WINNAYUCKA

Long, BORING drive from Caldwell, Idaho through Oregon and into Nevada, Winnemucca, NV,  to be exact.  And to top it off Kathe booked the wrong RV Resort. This place is a dump and we won't be staying here again if I have anything to say about it. It was 110 degrees when we checked in and  the camp host informed Kathe that dogs weren't allowed to walk on the grass.  My feet were on fire just walking to the dog park. And don't get me started about that dog park! Yuck! Enough about that.

Kathe took this picture of the Jordan Valley this morning but you can't expect much at 70 miles per hour while she's sitting on the dashboard.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow when we will be in Truckee, California.  It's supposed to be cooler and we are going to be back in the trees. Trees mean squirrels and birds and I can't wait.

OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS

Such a difficult drive from McCall to Caldwell Idaho, but it's so beautiful it's almost worth it.
We follow along the Payette River for over 100 miles, winding back and forth the whole way.  Jim was getting tired of turning left and right and right and left on a narrow 2 lane highway. These pictures were taken from inside the motor home as we were soaring down the highway. We finally arrived at the Ambassador RV Park where the temperature was over 100 degrees. The pavement here was so hot that Kathe had to carry me to the dog park.  Luckily, there was some shade and cool green grass for me once we got inside the gate.

Kathe and Jim went out to dinner tonight with their old friends Bob and Carol who moved here from Los Angeles several years ago. They were gone for hours.  I was pleased to see that they brought me a doggie bag when they finally returned home.

Tomorrow it's off to Winnamucca. Yucca!

WHY WE KEEP COMING BACK

Anyone who has followed my blog knows that we have been here in McCall many times. The first few times that we were here we stayed at Ponderosa State Park. The last several trips here, we've been here at the Northfork RV. We simply love it here, and would stay longer if we could. It's a lakeside vacation paradise.

This morning Kathe and Jim drove out to Tamarack Resort and looked at the new real estate that is being developed at the ski resort. Beautiful cottages in the pine trees right under the ski resort. Dreaming!

Here are some pictures from the last couple of days. That might help you see why we love it here.

Kathe and Jim rode the bike trail together this afternoon along Payette Lake in Ponderosa State Park.  They took some pictures of the lake from the trail. It was a challenging ride for Kathe, but she made it and remained upright!

Yesterday, at Little Payette Lake they took the Jeep around to several dry camping spots and took pictures of the smaller lake.  The campgrounds were too small for our coach, but it looked like a nice quiet place to camp.