Early morning and long drive from 

Hemet to Sacramento (9+ hours with a couple of quick stops).

The pools at Golden Palms have a different sort of guest 

when you're up with the birds & workers have not yet arrived.

The Victorville area (south of Boron) was super windy - tumbleweeds tumbling across the road and anywhere there was a dirt road, there was a mini sandstorm.   Several RVs pulled over to wait the storm.

Southeast of Bakersfield is the town of Tehachapi (population of approx 12,000) and at an elevation of ~3,970 feet.   The snow level had reached the lower valley.

Highway 99 is a bit of a roller coaster ride & you will get airborne if you're traveling too fast.  Looks like one of those 'heat waves' when looking straight on down the road.

Tazz - helping out with backing into the site
5:30 arrival at  Cal Expo in Sacramento.  The RV Park is adjacent to the Cal Expo racetrack. 

The purchase of over 350 acres along the American River north of downtown Sacramento took place in 1948.  Ronald Reagan opened the Fair the Cal Expo in 1988.   The California State Fair has became a yearly event but Cal Expo also hosts the Christmas Tree Land, and doll, car & RV shows.   This upcoming weekend the largest Dog Show in California takes place with over 4,000 show dogs/obedience and rally events.   Following that, the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts (Canadians call them Girl Guides) takes place.

On weekend nights when harness racing takes place our RV park is ablaze with lights - like downtown Vegas.  


Nothing we can't block out with shades and the announcing is a faint background noise.

American River Bike Trail

http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/180072  (the link to map and info, if interested)

A fabulous paved, multi use trail travels from Sacramento to Folsom Lake, hugging the American River through park after park and even though at times you feel like you are far out in the wilderness on the 33 mile pathway, you can get off and be within city limits in minutes.   This is only one of 'many' trail networks - the Sacramento River loop can take you from 29 - 70 miles and the town of Folsom has its own network of mountain biking & road riding trails.

A short six mile ride to Old Sacramento (no streets, cars or lights to contend with until downtown).

A fire previously ripped through a portion of the trail system along the river.  Elderberry seedlings have been planted and protected with fencing from deer, to bring back habitat for the almost extinct horned red beetle.

State Capitol Building & State Capital Park declared a historical landmark in 1974

The Delta King was a functioning sternwheeler between 1927-1940 between San Francisco & Sacramento.   With a cost of $9 million, the vessel was resurrected from the bottom of the river after sinking in 1984 and is now a renowned floating restaurant/hotel.








The Empress Hornblower (as pictured above) is now a floating entertainment vessel for weddings, tours, dining cruises and other private events.

A Bank

HAGGIN OAKS GOLF COURSE

Since1932 Haggin Oaks has been host to dozens of PGA professionals.   Some names like Sam Snead, Jimmy Demaret, Walter Hagen, George Archer and  Ben Hogan (who won his first professional cheque of $350 for 3rd place in 1938).


Celebs such as Babe Ruth, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope have made appearances here.


The club has 100 stalls with a lighted driving range and the pro shop is huge.  Our first experience with Ready Tee Machines.


Difficult to get used to having each range ball teed up for you automatically!   You can of course, resent the tee height as you switch between irons & driver.










The course is beautiful with a variety of trees but the old oak trees are the most striking.

Just have to make a beach shot sometimes . . . . . . . . notice the 'large' birds in the background!

Wild turkeys!   And they are huge!  About 10 in this group.

A Sacramento female reporter was sent to report on a wild Tom that was attacking people; here is the video link (hold cursor on the "Terrible Tom' letters & click on the http link above it to get the video:  

'Terrible Tom' the wild turkey causes reporter to lose her head ...

During a local residential bike ride with Marc's relatives we spotted dozens of sunning turtles.

The Sacramento County Water Agency, the City and E. Bay Municipal Utilities of Oakland have developed this water pumping facility; the building has beautiful artwork, slogans & clear messages.

Another Day, another ride along the American Bike Path towards Folsom. . . the river is very calm due to a dry and mild winter ---- March had more precipitation but water levels are low for this time of year.

I turned around & Marc carried on to Folsom (would be approx 60 mi round trip).

He spotted this couple traveling 'backwards' up the river with their canoe and sunbrella.

The Folsom Dam (no longer allowing vehicles or any traffic to travel along the top after 9/11).   And razor wired fencing surrounds the dam (and prisons).

A huge National Park and camping ground on the w. side of the reservoir.  People fish mainly for bass.

A still functioning prison, you are allowed to drive Folsom Prison Road but signs warn you to not stop or turn around until you reach the gate to take you to visitor parking and/or museum.  Adjacent to this is the California State Prison (maximum security).

Old Town Folsom


















We were fortunate enough to be here for Passover Dinner at Marc's relatives (Suzanne and George) with 10 people.  Good food, good company.


Drove to Folsom today to look around the city and getting ready to leave for Redding tomorrow morning.   The dogs were seeing water for the first time in months (that they could swim in) .... happiness is . . . . .