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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Made a little blunder today

By 9:15 today, I was headed out of Jojoba Hills and on my way to Lost Hills, CA.  At 246 miles, it was going to be a long driving day for me.  That really is about my self imposed limit.  Ha!  Little did I know what the day had in store for me.

Jack-in-the-Box had suggested a route for me that would take me right through the middle of Los Angeles and the ‘Grapevine’.  That was not something I was looking forward to.  So last night at happy hour, I asked the folks there for route suggestions.  One couple was native Californians, and they suggested I avoid that route at all cost.  They suggested a different route, and that was my plan.

Of course ‘Jack’ was recalculating like mad as I passed up the exit he wanted me to take.  I expected that, and had written out directions and taped them to the dash.  I-15 North to I-210 West to I-5 North.  Well, I drove and drove on I-15 and never did see an exit to I-210.  It must be there somewhere, but I never found it.  Sure would be nice to have a navigator looking at a map while I drive.  The traffic, by the way, was horrible.

After about 160 miles, I found myself at a gas station I could get into and out of in Barstow, CA.  I had been getting a little nervous about getting gas as the gage dipped down to the 1/4 tank level.  Couple of snafus at the station.  Ended up in a line with two people in front of me that seemed to take forever to move on.  Then after I finally filled up, someone else pulled in front of me so I couldn’t get out.  This guy shopped inside, and then came out and took his dog for a walk without moving his car out of the way.  Ugh!  Wasn’t fast enough to catch him to ask him to move his car.

Some construction along the way, and lots of mountains to go up and down.  There was also an annoying alarm sounding once in a while from my toad braking system.  The last time that happened, the breakaway cable had become slightly dislodged.  I couldn’t find a thing wrong with the hookup after checking it, so I continued on my way with that annoying alarm going off now and again.  Each time it started, my blood pressure jumped, I’m sure. 

After almost eight hours of driving, I finally arrived at Lost Hills RV Park.  (I wouldn’t call it a resort)  Hard packed sandy sites all in a row behind a truck stop.  It’s conveniently located right off of I-5, but the $48/night price tag is way overpriced to my way of thinking.  (and not worth taking a picture of)

After 312 rather grueling miles, for me, I bit the bullet and paid the piper.  As I came down out of the mountains on route 58 today, the view of the central California valley with all the orchards and croplands was spectacular, but of course there was no place to stop to enjoy the view.

Tomorrow will be a shorter jaunt of only about 200 miles (I hope), and I’m going to stop for a two night stay.  I’ll be south of Sacramento.  If Gypsy weren’t off gallivanting in New York, I would stop by to see her…

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

33 comments:

  1. I am regularly surprised at the way folks behave in gas stations. Parking at the pump while they do everything but pump fuel. Clearly they had a lousy upbringing.

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  2. Sounds like a stressful day... Hope the rest of the trip goes smoothly.

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  3. Sounds like a stressful day... Hope the rest of the trip goes smoothly.

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  4. Doesn't sound like fun. Personally, I'd rather break things up into three 100 mile days instead of one 300 mile day! But, glad you got there safely...

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  5. Oh heck we have all missed our turn off and gone a bunch of miles out of our way... Look at the bright side, you had your entire home right there with you no matter where you ended up parking it... Glad you made it on thru without any mishaps..

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  6. So you are about 700 miles away. You are right not to listen to Jack. When we got here without listening. Just stay on 42 to 101 then to North Bank Road. Don't listen to Jack!!!

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  7. Well, that's a bummer! I always take the Grapevine, unless it's snowing. I think it's an easy drive with lots of lanes, and if traffic is too fast, you can pull over into a slower lane. :)

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  8. You are brave to drive your RV towing your car in that traffic. When we had an RV and towed our car we slept by day and traveled at night when were were in high traffic areas...we hated four or six lanes of traffic. Glad you finally arrived someplace to rest:)

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  9. We were thinking about you today and wondered how your drive was. Sorry to hear it wasn't so good. Hope you have a better day tomorrow!

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  10. Well, I made it from Fl to the foothills above Sacto without taking the Grapevine, and avoided most of Stockton. My GPS doesn't always agree with my choice of routes, but I have forced it into submission. Hahahah. Glad you made it safe. My reaction to other thoughtless drivers.....well, some want to be the first to the next accident and some just hang out at gas pumps because... well they are thoughtless. Deep breath and move on.

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  11. That's a lot of miles to drive especially when the directions are so uncertain. And that RV park cost is outrageous! Glad you made it through that mess okay and hope tomorrow is a better day.

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  12. Oh how we hate days like this one. The gas station situation drives Paul nuts. Some people just do not have any common sense.

    CA is know for their very high campground prices. $48.00 is way out of line.

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  13. High price be da*ned ... the relief of getting off the road after a restful day must have been worth it.

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  14. On my maiden voyage with my 5th wheel in 2008 I drove around L.A. and the Grapevine. The L.A. traffic was awful, with many rude drivers honking at me because I only drove 55 - the state law for trucks towing (I think that would apply to motorhomes as well. The Grapevine wasn't as bad as I anticipated because I stayed in the right lane going 55.

    I'm going back to CA by way of Huntington Beach near Los Angeles, and am trying to figure out a way that I can avoid I-5; although I don't like driving the non-freeway part of Rt. 99, I may do it to make life easier when I get to Sacramento as 99 brings me in on eastern side of downtown.

    I'm enjoying the drivers here in the Hudson Valley of NY. So far I've had no one cut me off, honk their horn, or be rude in any way, but then I've limited my driving time too. I just hate to get into the car. I'm hoping to get up to Oregon later on this summer, so maybe we can still get together.

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  15. I will make Jim drive hundreds of miles out of the way to avoid a big city. My nerves just don't handle it well. And one of my biggest peeves is people parking at gas pumps and then disappearing. Just drives me crazy. Rude and inconsiderate. And after that kind of day I would be willing to dish out the money for a place to stop no matter how much it cost. I'm sure hoping today is a much much better day.

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  16. "Jack-in-the-Box had suggested a route for me that would take me right through the middle of Los Angeles and the ‘Grapevine’. One couple was native Californians, and they suggested I avoid that route at all cost. They suggested a different route, and that was my plan. I expected that, and had written out directions and taped them to the dash. I-15 North to I-210 West to I-5 North. Well, I drove and drove on I-15 and never did see an exit to I-210."

    I don't understand. You wanted to avoid the "Grapevine" yet you expected to get on I-5 North from I-210 West which would have taken you over the "Grapevine". The route that you drove avoided it.

    If I had been driving from your point "A" to point "B" and wanted to avoid the "Grapevine" I would have taken I-15 North to CA138 to I-5. This would have added about 10 miles to your expected route and would have been a bit over 50 miles less than what you drove. I think I would also retire Jack-in-the-Box he seems to cause you more trouble than he is worth. I don't know what to tell you about your notes taped to the dash - that is my system and it works great for me. If I am totally unfamiliar with the roads I will make notes about the exits before and after the exit that I want. This will give me a heads up that "My' exit is coming up or it will give me an opportunity to exit, turn around, and try again for "My" exit.

    Good luck with the rest of your trip!

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  17. I hate our Jack in the box..aka Carlita..She needs some upgrades in her routing..I think I could never drive that big rig without hitting someone..My vision is not what it used to be for sure!! You are woman..I hear you roar!!!

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  18. I'm always glad for a co-pilot when I don't want to go the way Mabel (my GPS) wants me to go. I hope the rest of your trip is better.

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  19. Oh I just hate those GPS things that talk. I map out my route and take a look at every change I need to make on the map so I know exactly where it is, what exit. I don't like them telling me what to do. I usually stop pull over at a rest area and check the next section so I know what's happening. This of course is in the car at the moment but I'll do the same thing in the RV without a navigator. I'm glad it all turned out OK for you but those long days are killers. I go way out of my way too to avoid NYC and Boston on my way to Maine.

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  20. Once a few years ago, we relied on our GPS to take us to a popular campground in Alberta. It was nestled in amongst large hills and cliffs so we wanted to be sure we caught the right road to get there. GPS took us right, then left, then right... and all of a sudden we were headed for a cow field! We parked the Motorhome, walked out and IF we had proceeded in the direction of the GPS, we would have gone over a cliff.
    We bought a new GPS and I sent a stern letter to the former GPS provider but no response.

    Take it slower, that's a long drive!

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  21. Sorry you had such a hard day. I could feel my blood pressure just reading about it, especially with the alarm beeping at you. Since I'm lucky enough to have Al driving, I can help with the GPS. Ours is named "Jane", but sometimes Al calls her "the B*&ch! I also use my satellite navigation system on my phone. Sometimes it's better to see an overhead satellite image.

    After the day you had, I would have paid $100 just to park.

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  22. Hey, Judy, will we get to see you on your way north? We are right close to Sacramento, northeast of the city, actually. If it's possible, we'd love to see you!

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  23. At the end of the day all that matters is that you made it safe and sound.!

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  24. I'm glad that you made it safely and didn't run out of gas.I know that waiting to get out of the way at the gas station was nerve wracking! Glad you are safe!

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  25. I am stressed just reading this.

    Hey, Ray and Cindy must have the same GPS as ours ..... ours is named Mable too. Used to have Lucy. Got Mable when we bought a new truck with its own GPS. Updated her last year. She still can't find correct location of some Post Offices and Walmarts.

    Len gets REALLY impatient when waiting at the pump for rude people to take their own good time and see us waiting. Walking a dog while you waited? Yea, quite a sport.

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  26. I think you are one of my heros! Safe travels!

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  27. Ha! Had a lady at a really busy gas station walk her dog too after she pumped, then went in to pay, came out, got her dog out and wandered off, all while leaving the car at the pump and a line of people waiting. Just about blew my gasket. ANYWAY...I'd volunteer to fly out and navigate just to get to see that part of the country! Oh wait. I have a job. Darn.

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  28. I'll bet you and Jack had a one sided conversation, 'recalculating'

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  29. Hi Emma ( oops, I mean Judy )

    I have just spent two weeks at Malhuer NWR and was wondering if you have volunteered or been here. It seems like your kind of place. Wonderful Visitor's Center and a huge refuge with all kinds of birds ( check out the last couple weeks of my blog to see what I mean … ramcquade.com ). I couldn't help think of you when I was speaking with the volunteer couple here the other day. You would never have to worry about low bird counts on a guided tour here ! Fascinating place .. and wonderfully nice people here.

    Bob

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    1. Note: If you want to know if Judy has volunteered someplace the map in the upper left column is a GREAT resource. The search box could also be used but it requires exact spelling for a match. Malhuer will not find Malheur NWR. But in answer to the question, Judy was at Malheur NWR in August - September 2010.

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