Malibu, California

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Our stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Yuma was very nice. We arrived around 5:30 pm; found a place to park the RV and checked in. It is HOT here! We didn't want to unhook the RV to venture out in the truck, so we were happy that they had a restaurant. There aren't any restaurants nearby. The hotel sits right on the banks of what is left of the Colorado River.

We weren't expecting much as far as quality at the restaurant but we were pleasantly surprised. We shared a Wedge salad and beef medallions, baked potato and green beans. It was very good. Afterwards Ken talked me in to taking a walk around the property even though it was still 92 degrees! It was very interesting. There is a park behind the property that is on the edge of the river. As you walk along the river, there are stops with plaques explaining the history of the irrigation system and farming industry in Yuma. The Colorado River provides irrigation to the farmers in Yuma. In fact, because of the irrigation, Yuma is the winter vegetable capital of the world, enjoying the longest growing season in the country and producing over two million pounds of lettuce every day. Who would have thought that about Yuma, AZ? There is also a railroad car, the steam engine that you can walk through. It was fun, but by the time we got back in the room, I had to jump in the shower and turn on the cold water! I set the thermostat for 70 degrees and we watched some TV. We hope to get an early start tomorrow morning.

We got up around 7am, took showers, made lattes and hit the road. We stopped at El Centro and picked up egg mcmuffins. We arrived at Malibu Beach RV Resort around 3:30. Our camping spot is on a hill overlooking the ocean. We sat outside for a while, enjoying the ocean waves, drinking some wine, watching the hummingbirds around the flowers....until we smelled sewer gas. It was very strong! We decided to head to a little restaurant that we had seen on the way in. It is Malibu Seafood. It is a hole in the wall, but filled with locals, so you know it is good. You can't dine in; you order your food and then find a table in the two outdoor patios they have built on the hillside overlooking the ocean. As we find a table, we notice that most everyone has brought a table cloth, wine, beer, appetizers and they are setting up their own dining experience. I am kind of jealous...we don't have anything! Our number is called for our food, Ken picks it up. He had grilled Mahi, baked potato and cole slaw. I had grilled red snapper, baked potato and salad. It was so good. Their motto is: we aren't open for breakfast because we are out catching your dinner. We decide to go back tomorrow, with our tablecloth and wine!

We got back to camp and took a walk through the campground. We arrive back to our spot and the smell is worse. Ken snoops around, talks to a few people and we learn that right below us, there are holding tanks for all of the 'crap' from the campground and we are smelling the vented fumes! Nothing like being in paradise and smelling crap. We have to go inside it is so bad. We are only staying here one more night anyway and will be gone most of the day exploring so we won't let this upset our time. We are tired so we turn in early.

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