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Borrego Springs, CA

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Finally made it out of Imperial NWR

Yesterday morning, I finally headed on my way to Oregon.  I had changed my plans for my next destination several times, and high winds kept me on the refuge on Monday.  I only had 214 miles to drive to Jojoba Hills Escapees Park in Anguanga, CA, but it took me well over five hours with no stops.  That’s about my limit these days for driving the rig.

Had some white knuckle times as ‘Jack-in-the-Box’ led me along CA 78.  Many signs saying not to proceed with an RV over 40’.  My rig is 38’, but I was towing a car.  Didn’t know how else to get to my destination so I toughed it out. 

I wish I could have enjoyed the scenery as I made my way.  Went past areas that other’s have blogged about.  Ocotillo Wells and Borrego Springs to name a few.  Even drove past the Blu In RV Park out in the middle of nowhere.  I remembered that fellow bloggers, http://hittheroadjackonawingandaprayer.blogspot.com/, were working there, but I didn’t know if they had already headed out.  I just wanted to finish my trip.

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Eventually I pulled in to Jojoba Hills, and was able to get a site for a week.  I’m in site 421 which is a pull through site.  I always appreciate being led to my site, and I found this Escapees Park to be one of the nicest I’ve stayed at. 

_MG_1758The site is spacious, and this is the garden in one of its corners.  I have to admit that I don’t feel as cramped in here as in other RV parks.  Had an issue with my water hookup that had nothing to do with the park.  The fairly new hose that I used at Imperial just wouldn’t stop leaking at the hookup.  I spent a lot of time trying to remedy the situation, but finally decided to just sleep on it and use my fresh water tank for the night.  I just didn’t have the arm power to remove the defective hose from the hookup on the rig.  It had been tightened down by Norm at Imperial, and I just couldn’t budge it.

This morning I debated with myself about calling a mobile RV tech to help me out, but decided first that I’d go to the office and see if they could help me.  After all, this is a SKP park, and helping others is one of their beliefs.  The woman in the office asked if I had tried asking a neighbor for help, and I had to honestly tell her that the only men I had seen didn’t look like they had much more strength than I did.  She looked at where I was staying in the park and admitted that the folks she would suggest asking were not around.  She then called one of the park maintenance guys, and he fixed the problem in no time. 

Besides relaxing and being a tourist in the area, I have some other things I want to accomplish while I’m here.  I’m waiting for a call back on one of those things.  After five months of no cell service (AT&T), I can finally make some calls again.  My air card is also getting four bars of 4G.  Kind of nice to be back in civilization for a while.  Winking smile

80 On the way to Oregon 2015

When you sign in here you have to fill out a form, and one of the questions asks if you want a tour of the park.  I decided to do that this afternoon.  After nine years on the road, I need to be considering other options in my life.  Time marches on, and I’m not as spry as I used to be.

This has been the only non-volunteering place where I have felt that I could actually spend some extended time at.  I’ve got some thinking to do about my future.

_MG_1769

Nice pine tree, right?  Well look closely and you’ll see that it is actually a Verizon tower.  It’s located next to the water tanks at Jojoba Hills.  No wonder I have such fast internet!  And guess what?  No mosquitoes here!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

30 comments:

  1. Have heard other bloggers stay there and one couple live there!! (don't remember their names) What are you doing in Oregon? did I miss that? I will go where ever you are to visit and finally meet up!!

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  2. Congrats on your great escape! Now sit back, relax and enjoy yourself, you've earned a nice break and deserve it! :c)

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  3. When we first moved to Colorado back in 1986 we were lucky enough to get a doctor who really, really cared about his patients. He remembered things about our life and would ask or comment.

    He would always say "well that is just a sign of time marching on". He has ad to retire, due to illness and we greatly miss him. Thanks for the reminder.

    The park looks great and I am glad you feel confortable. Yes, we all need to think about - the next step in our lives. Wish you the best with thinking about what yours will be! ������

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  4. Great looking place. Bet it will be nice to do what you want this week.

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  5. What a very nice park to call home for a week! Enjoy!

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  6. Flowers and no skeeters! Looks like a great place to stay! I bet that California traffic is horrid...nothing like your trip to Fargo:)

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  7. We enjoyed our week at Jojoba Hills last year. It was the nicest parks that we have visited. Second is the Escapees in Coarsegold, CA. You might want to stay there as you head to Oregon. You are so close to Temecula, one of our favorite cities.....and to our daughter, Jojo who is in Menifee.

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  8. Nice, we're glad you ended up at a spot that you like! And with no mosquitoes!

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  9. We, too, have checked out various Escapees parks for our "future life" (Yuma and Benson, AZ)... even put a deposit down. But by the time our name came up we had decided neither were for us. got our deposit back and kept looking. I hope when you find the right place you let us all know.... we're still looking.

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  10. Sure sounds like an interesting place... and how nice to not have any skeeters!
    KarenInTheWoods and Steveio
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    (Blog) RVing: The USA Is Our Big Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/
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  11. I'm with you on 5 hours of driving being the limit for me. We're coming up on some very long days this week-end, at least one more than 5 hours and I'm sure not looking forward to it. Really looks like a lovely park. I have a hard time imaging you anywhere but on a refuge. We too are facing some decisions about what to do next. Somehow I didn't remember you spent 5 months with no cell service. We definitely couldn't do that. Glad to hear things are sweet right now with good weather, no mosquitoes, cell and internet. Enjoy!

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  12. I've heard nothing but good things about this park. It looks like the perfect place to pamper yourself. I know Merikay loved that pool.

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  13. There was a really nice article in the recent Escapees magazine about Jojoba Hills--we've not tried that one but we sure love North Ranch!

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  14. I have seen pictures before of cell phone towers like the one in your picture. They do look a lot nicer than the regular ones. I, too, have an RV the same size as yours and pull a Jeep behind it.

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  15. I had to look up this place ... had no idea where you were exactly. Looks lovely (but not in summer!). You must have gone thru one of my favorite towns: Julian, ever so pretty in the spring. I hope you enjoy your stay!

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  16. Aren't those cell towers a hoot? It appears you have found a lovely place to "do some thinkin'"! Good luck with your plans and relax!

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  17. We are planning to stop at Jojoba Hills when we leave San Diego on the 19th but it looks like we'll miss you. We've been there a few times and it is very nice. If you own a lot there you are encouraged to volunteer and there are lots of things the volunteers do such as landscaping, which you might enjoy. It's one of the places we've considered when we stop traveling but it's a long drive to shopping and no place to ride bikes so we're not sure it's for us. Will be interested to see what you think after the tour.

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  18. That was the same route we took from Imperial to Jojoba Hills. We have friends there (Chuck and Kathy Donley) that volunteer. Chuck gives tours of Jojoba. A lot of the members there do volunteer work. Unfortunately, it was an overnight stop as we had reservations in Oceana we made way back in Dec. Look them up if you have a chance, tell them we said Hi. http://travelsofjohnandbridget.blogspot.com/2015/03/imperial-national-wildlife-refuge-and.html

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  19. Glad you made it there ok. Jojoba Hills is our Favorite SKP park, so far. We missed a few in our travels. It is a very nice place to retire. I know there was a very long waiting list for a spot. I believe it was over 5 years when we were there. Good luck and safe travels.

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  20. Good luck with your deliberations. We were on the waiting list at the Hondo, TX SKP co-op but after coming up in the list a couple of times we decided that it wasn't the place for us and we pulled our name back off. It seems smart to be thinking ahead though. Safe travels as you continue north.

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  21. It looks like you've scored another great site, if only for a week. I'm not sure where that park is located, but much of California is hot as hell in the summer months. That's why I prefer the northern part of the state. You are much too young to retire, but I guess it doesn't hurt to keep your options open.

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  22. That landscaping is really lovely! I think I would like that too!

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  23. I totally understand a change in plans for the future...McGyver turned 73, and although he doesn't act it, he is having some visions troubles and slowing down a bit. I I had my druthers, I would like to purchase an RV lot in a nice place, somewhere warm that we could go to when we want and rent out when we aren't there..Picking up and moving every 2 weeks is a great way to see the USA, but it takes a lot to set up and tear down our Hiker...just thinkin'.

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  24. Looks like a great stop to spend a few days:)

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  25. Everyone that stays at that park loves it. I wish we would have stopped in for at least one day.

    We saw those Verizon towers several places. What a neat way to blend into the environment.

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  26. looks like a beautiful place to unwind for a couple of weeks. . .will love to hear about your tour. . .

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  27. Have friends who have a lot in the Escapee Park in Sutherlin, Oregon, called Timber Valley. They love it as their base to continue traveling. No sales tax in Oregon!

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  28. Glad you're getting a little vacation. Looks beautiful!

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  29. 4G, bars, pull thru and no skeeters, you won the lottery :-)

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  30. We have heard & read good things about Jojoba & if we were RV Park people & I was American it is probably a place we would definitely look at. Being close to San Diego I'm guessing the weather there would be great year round as well. Discouraging about the long waiting list though. I love all that southwest landscaping.

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