Cities, Deserts and Mountains

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We are now in the USA camper, having picked it up a week ago in Los Angeles. It wasn't ready for us until after 12 as it was getting new brakes and a service, so we set off a bit later than we wanted, but safe in the knowledge that it was all ship shape and ready for us to spend the next 55 days in it. This van is white and called Lorel. We found our way to the pacific coast highway heading south, but not after a brisk stint on the freeway, a little bit scary for Dean as he was still getting used to the van, gearstick on the wrong side, etc, so needless to say we exited that particular highway Asap! The downside of that you get to go through countless sets of traffic lights as you make your way down this bit of the coast. Los Angeles and the related southern beaches just seem to blend into one as we passed through Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and three hours later we were only 100 miles south of LA! We stopped at two state park camping grounds on the way down, which were both full and had some luck on the third, which was half a mile inland from the beach at San Clement. The state park camps are pretty basic, with just toilets and showers, hot if you're lucky, but they do usually come with a picnic table and some form of fire pit/ barbecue. We had made a brief stop at a 7/11 to pick up essential supplies so we were sorted for that night at least. We originally were intending to head to San Diego but headed inland instead, to escape traffic and to find some sun. ( LA and the coast was quite cold and misty.) We headed towards Palm Springs and found a camping ground in Desert Springs, just up the road, with amazing pools. As it was over 100 degrees, we spent most of the afternoon beside and in the pools. There was a very hot wind blowing and it appears it is a myth that it gets cold in the desert at night because it certainly hasn't been the case! From there we headed north across the mohave desert and into the San Bernadino mountains, Staying in a state park at Big Bear Lake. At an elevation of 7000 ft, it was a cooler day and night. We have enjoyed encountering the wildlife that is foreign to us in NZ. Chipmunks are so cute! There are lots of squirrels and lizards and we have seen roadrunners, bluejays, woodpeckers and various falcons flying overhead. Big Bear Lake is an old gold mining town, set now on a manmade lake and a very popular spot. It was back east into the desert the next day, and if we thought it was hot before, we were wrong! We headed to Barstow, heading north across the Mohave desert. Barstow was a major stop on the mother road, route 66, and you can see the old motels and we visited the route 66 museum there. The Mustang in original condition and the old Harleys were impressive. The camping ground had a pool and nice shady gazebos at each tent site so we were able to keep cool. Next day it was on to Needles, again across the Mohave desert in an easterly direction, and cruising on some of the route 66 roads which was a buzz. Found another camping ground with a pool which was more than necessary. Needles borders the Colorado River and across the other side is Arizona. The temperature was 108 degrees, with only a light hot wind and it cooled to 100 degrees overnight. We couldn't even bring ourselves to close the van doors as it would have been like sleeping inside a hot tin can so we slept as much as was possible with all the doors open and with as little covering as possible. Luckily the camp site was practically empty and we were parked beside a hedge of oleander bushes so we had a bit of privacy but I think we were beyond caring we were so hot. Even though the pool was supposed to be closed from 10 pm, I did sit and dangle my legs in the water at some wee hour In an effort to cool down and get back to sleep. We could even wash our dishes in hot water with the water that came out of the tap next to our site! So once again it was north across the desert and through the stark mountains and terrain towards Vegas baby! We have booked in to a hotel for three nights and will enjoy the air conditioning! The roads are straight and long, and it's been pretty easy to find our way around, following the highways. It's a vast country and you can only marvel at the generations of people who have made their way west across this desert and built railways and roads and how tough that must have been. It seems endless and when you cross one plain, there is another set of rocky hills and mountains to cross on the other side. It is surprisingly green though. They have had quite a bit of rain through spring and have only just started with the really bhot weather, which of course in coinciding with our visit. I forgot to say that we purchased a national park pass at Joshua Tree National Park, which gives us access to all the National parks that we will be visiting on our way north and back south. Otherwise it costs you $15 each time you want to go into a Park. Anyway, thats it for now. Love to all at home.xxxx

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Photos

Needles
The van in the desert sunset.

Comments

[Charlie]

Weather
Hi Dean & Shelley, I should think you are nearly melting with such temps over there, we could do with some of your sunshine we have just had the last week of heavy rain,but we were lucky on our 2 weeks hol just 1 morning wet. Just hope Raewyn enjoys her cruise as much as we did. Well guys enjoy yourselves and take care.love to you both Charlie & Iris