March 14 Mariposa to Yosemite. Loaded up the next morning and headed into Yosemite. The day started out cloudy but cleared up and became a very nice day. I started my usual climbing the steep inclines and slowing on the steep downhill slopes and curves all the way. Hard on both man and machine. I stopped in a turnout after a particularly long and steep downhill slope and smelled my brakes having a burning smell. So I found a level spot where I wouldn't need to apply the parking brake and just use the transmission to hold the truck and let the brakes cool off. This certainly got my attention and I stopped periodically on the rest of the way in picturesque spots to let my brakes cool off again. I came to a detour in ... read more

March 12 - Monterrey to Santa Rosa Things didn't work out as I had planned at the Travel Lodge in Monterrey. When I had checked in I had wanted a room where I could park my truck next to it so I could unload/load it easily. No queens were available that fit my criteria so the clerk gave me a King room with a discount. Fine. But when I went to renew my room for a couple of more days a different clerk on duty then said that they had booked the King room that I was in but I could move to a queen room and stay. I was very annoyed and told her that if I was going to have to go to all the trouble of moving I may as well move up ... read more

March 10 - Los Padres National Forest - Monterey Bay Got up about 0900 and got moving. The thing about these State and national parks is that they don't usually have electricity. Most people think not having a heater is what you miss. But that's not it. I have several warm blankets and a cap for that. What I missed the most is not having hot water. Icy cold water does wake you up good though. Exceptionally fine vistas going North out of Plaskett Creek Park towards Monterey. At a couple of locations I even saw over a dozen whales frolicking in the sea off the coast. Couldn't get any pictures of them though. By the time I saw them and focused on them they had went back under. This part of the Pacific Coast Hwy ... read more

Tuesday 08 March Avila Beach and Pismo Beach Drove down to Avila Beach from SLO. Avila beach was very beautiful and had Full hookups for RV's for $45 a night. I'll bet there are many people spending their time in a "parking Lot" RV park for the same money who could be staying here and enjoying this really beautiful view. The fishing ships unload here and there is a fish market as well as a restaurant. And a very nice little picnic area. Not much else though. Still.............it really is splendidly scenic. After checking out Avila Beach went over to Pismo Beach. They have a pier there and a boardwalk as well. And ........of course......... a great view of the ocean. They did have a cheapo restaurant there that I wanted to check out. It has ... read more

March 5-6 San Diego - El Capitan State Park Saturday - March 5 - Had a pretty long day. Drove up the I-5 to La Jolla Beach and then went North hugging the roads right on the coast. At Torrey Pines beach there was a glider port but as there was no wind blowing no gliders were flying. But a great view. They said stay off the cliff edges but that's where the best pictures could be taken from. So I stepped over the rope fence and carefully took some pictures. At Del Mar People were literally climbing down the cliffs and back up, some carrying surfboards ! There was also another beach further up the road which was flat and sandy. Encinitas had a nice beach and park as well. I stopped there above the ... read more