Sylvia's RV Journey

Well other than loud motorcycles, here and there, my night in the San Gabriel Mountains was actually very peaceful. Luckily nobody came about to shoo me away.  I decided to head to Velazquez Rocks Natural Area. It's a park that I passed by yesterday. It's already getting warm, and I took a nice little hike around the main portion of this massive rock. What's unique about the area is that all these rocks seem to be slanted at a diagonal, pointed towards the sky. it's almost as if everything shifted sideways or that a pothole or sinkhole tumbled part of it into the ground. Apparently this is a popular filming destination for Hollywood. There was signage at the entry saying that a registration for filming is required. And while I parked, there looked to be an official crew of some sort with badges and discussions about filming the area. No celebrity sightings. After my hike I decided it was time for a sketch, so I sat and sketched.I had pretty good reception here, and need...

Well all things considered, it was a quiet night in my unofficial camp spot at Indian Canyon Road trailhead. This is actually one of the stops for the Pacific Crest Trail. After talking to a man who's done the trail several times, and who once came upon someone who had tent camped in this parking lot, he didn't hesitate to think I would not have a problem to spend the night here, so I did. Other than some street traffic, and the train that traveled by once per hour, with it's blowing whistle, I wasn't bothered,  and I was the only person here. Thankfully things cooled down, as it was over 100 degrees. For goodness sake, I thought Arizona was hot at this time of year, but this part of California has the same heat. I am disappointed that my spare tire mount could not be installed today.  There is an issue with not having the correct, and needed mounts, so on to plan B, C or D.  I've learned my lesson that dispersed camping or finding free options in southern Californi...

On my way....finally, to go through the entire Joshua Tree National Park, CA. I tried doing this a year ago and only hit a fraction of the park. It's actually such a beautiful drive without evidence of being disturbed by people. Without a single telephone pole, or a building, or any development to be seen, and thankfully, this desert remains literally untouched. I spent the first night in BLM land off of I-10. It's where I would have caught the rock that was lodged in my brake pads last year. It's not the prettiest area, but it's open, and as quiet as could be, within 2 miles of I-10. It allowed me to spend the entire day at Joshua Tree, and admire the rock formations, and these unique trees. I drove a one way dirt road where I found a super quiet spot for lunch. It's a Sunday, and there were plenty of people out and about. The weather was warm, and not too bad, and the skies were a sapphire blue. I located a dried lake bed, which is also part of the BLM lands, just...

My last day, and heading home! I checked out the ranger's cabin at Jacob Lake, a national historic registered place. Its well kept, and across from the Lake. I have to say that the lake was looking more like a small pond, but maybe drought has been drying it up?! It was in the 40's here, so crisp, and cool in the pine forest. And still seeing the sad views of devastating fire. As I head out, temperatures rise, pines disappear, juniper and sage appears, as I wind around the plateau, driving down overlooking the Vermillion Cliffs. Its a new view in this morning sun. Its actually a very unique area, as I got another look at those cliffs, along with the mushroom like rocks precariously balanced. The colors are stunning. Its was getting hot. My head is heavy with the elevation changes. I camped at 8,000 feet. I continued on through the Navajo reservation. The shanty shacks along rte 89 were all closed when I drove through nearly 6 weeks ago. They sell native art and craft from jewel...

This was one of the rare first mornings where I didn't have to have a long jacket or hat on to exit the RV, first thing in the morning. It was probably in the low sixties and pretty comfortable, as I strolled around with Jo Jo. My miniature "Bryce Canyon" space was one of the top overnights that I have had the pleasure to enjoy. So another 5 to 6 hour drive today, as I headed through more of rural central Utah. I have been on Route 89 the whole way, and have also been fighting cravings (for days), to visit a coffee shop/bakery the whole time. I passed through many more hay farms, cattle farms, and grasslands in this area. And suddenly, there it was, in the town of Mount Pleasant: The Coffee Depot. So naturally I had to stop to check it out. I've been running low on fruit, so what a better way than to supplement my fruit deprivation, than with a fruit smoothie topped with real whipped cream? Heaven? Yes! Add to that a bagel with cream cheese, and a cheese danish, and n...