From Bakersfield, Ca to Vista, we take the Grapevine; a climb of a five-mile grade where I-5 sharply rises to the north at a grade of 5% . . . . and the beginning of a 40 mile journey over the Tehachapi Mountains from northern Los Angeles County to the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County.
We skirted around LA via Pasadena and Corona . . . no traffic issues on a Tuesday mid-late afternoon. Amazing!
The highest altitude being 4, 183 feet at the summit. Winter travelers are often stranded for hours on this portion of highway. Discussions and proposals are being made to put in a high speed transit system either through the Grapevine or the Tehachapi pass.
We arrive at our RV Park approximately noon Tues, Sept 30th. Previously, Marc discussed options via telephone and no definite site was confirmed but #60 was a possibility. The person on the phone definitely did not state we had a definite site and upon arriving, asked a few people in the park about where you can park....they said you just pick a spot.
We arrive and notice that the site #60 backs right onto a main road, noise and no fencing - we were concerned about noise and safety of all our equipment.
Never seen this before: the office is entirely closed on Mondays and Tuesdays so we fended for ourselves. There was a sign stating three or four sites that were available, taped to the office door.
We noticed about two sites blocked off with paper signs on them. Everywhere we've been, the signs mean that site is taken.
Well the managers came home and Marc went over to ask for a key to the hot tub and washroom facilities. They informed us we had to move ASAP as someone would be coming into that spot in the morning.
So ..... I go find something to eat and Marc pulls the slides in and drives across the parking lot to another site and with help from a neighbor - they finally level the coach with the gigantic blocks.
We pack the kayaks across the way, the chairs, the barbecue, the bikes and there is nothing but dusty dirt at the sites so purchase some artificial turf to keep the dust down!
Our steps are 23" up from the cement! They provide steps for a $10 deposit (but after being here five days, she comes by and informs us that the particular step we have is wider and is a $20 deposit fee)!
This poor guy is totally off the ground.
Another strange thing: it is cheaper for us to pay by the week than the month as the electricity bills are adding up to over $300 for most people. So, we opted for a weekly rate and we are definitely getting our $$$$'s worth with air conditioning (not to mention our washer/dryer) as the temperatures are soaring at over 100 F (40c). A heat wave coming from the Santa Ana winds blowing from inland in the desert to the area we are in - Oceanside/San Diego.
We have settled in and gone to Melba Bishop for pickleball and Castle Creek (both of which we were at two years ago). Seeing a few people we recognize but the entire dynamics of both places has changed and a lot of new people; thrilled to meet up with a few friends we met previously.
The weather will be cooling down to normal (80s) by Tuesday and looking forward to it. The dogs have fit into a routine and thoroughly enjoying Melba Bishop --- got everything there - space, friendly people, grass and tons of beautiful shade trees, plus . . . . water fountains and bathrooms. Only fifteen miles away.
Have to say though ...... feels like driving in the Indy 500 on the freeways mid-week around 5-6 pm! Gotta we very alert! Not like our sleepy little traffic flow on Vancouver Island!
1 comment:
What is the name of this RV park cause I sure don't want to stay here!! If you go decide to go south to San Diego area I highly recommend Bernardo Shores RV Park. It is in Imperial Beach right at the south end of the Silver Strand and right off the Bayshore Bikeway. You can ride up to Coronado and all the way into San Diego.
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