We are finally ready to go! Our friend Gerri and neighbor Mike Brown wave goodbye to us as we start on our adventure.
It's 10 am and later than we had hoped, but for a trip this long, you have to leave when you feel ready.
Our first goal is to go through California. It's a long drive, one we have made many times. It is so beautiful with all of the wildflowers in bloom. Bright yellow mustard lines the roads , fields and hills.
After we get through all the traffic in LA, we cross the Tejon Pass. It is more beautifol than I have ever seen it. Bright yellow, gold and purple flowers are brush painted against the green velvety hills. It looks like a Monet!
As we enter the Joaquin valley, there are crops are far as you can see. The farmers are busy getting their fields ready for planting against a backdrop of snow covered mountains.
It is very windy through this valley, and it is hard to make good time or get good gas mileage. John finds a truck hauling a wide boxy structure, and draft behind him for a long time.
At last, after 450 miles and nine hours on the road, we arrive at one of our favorite campgrounds - Dos Reis County Park near Stockton. It is right along the San Joaquin River and below the levee. Rocinante is happy here!
We have a special traveling companion, Ignacio Gnome. He likes to have his picture taken. He was given to us by a friend and he always goes with us when we take a trip. Here he is, on the levee above the San Joaquin River, with the river and the farmland in background, and a beautiful weeping willow.
Hi Travelers! Glad you're headed North. We have friends RV-ing to Calif from New York State with two young kittens and one old cat. "Ignacio Gnome" seems to me to be a more congenial travel buddy! Marcie
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