First Stop: Kramer Junction

The sound of the waves hitting the beach and the noise from the traffic on Hwy 75 have been replaced with the steady base hum coming from the engine of the diesel truck whose driver decided it was a good idea to park next to us last night in the dirt lot where US 395 & CA 58 meet, known as Kramer Junction.  The steady hum was almost like a white noise lullaby....almost.

After camp hosting at the Silver Strand since late March, we are more than ready to get on the road again.   We had a myriad of tasks to accomplish in San Diego before leaving it all behind to make new memories and are pleased that most of those tasks were completed. 

With all the effort of seemingly endless taks behind us we are looking forward to our trip to Northern California, Oregon, and Washington.

We left the Silver Strand yesterday after last minute dental appointments.  Even afer 11 years of traveling in the motorhome, it is still an effort to get all the pre-travel chores taken care of.   We had to dump the black and grey tanks, take on fresh water, and gas up.  By 2pm we were FREEEEEEEE!!! and headed north on I-15.

Bob does a great job finding the right lane.

We encountered light traffic through Cajon Pass on I-15.  This pass is a lot less intimidating than Tejon Pass on I-5 where there are many more trucks traveling inches away from the side of our motorhome.

 We turned off the 15 in the high desert onto 2-lane US 395.  This section of highwy can be dangerous, but we made it through just fine.  The wind speed was reported to be only 14mph and driving was a breeze.

   Our overnight site at Kramer Junction

 We'll be leaving Kramer Junction by 10am on our way to Oh! Ridge campground at June Lake.  Lots of beautiful scenery and relaxation awaits.

A Day at the Silver Strand

WHERE WE ARE relative to this post

(I added the photo to show where we are at the time of the post and I think I have to publish it again....oh for the learning curve to be over)

Summer has arrived at the Silver Strand. 

How do I know? I know because I haven’t seen the sun in days.   June Gloom is here.  The May - June typical weather pattern that brings cloudy, overcast skies, and cool breezy afternoons is brought to us by a marine layer common to the southern California coast.  Some days we will see the sun, and some days we won't.

Yesterday was one of the days the sun decided to make a hazy appearance early in the afternoon.  I took advantage and shot a few photos and then decided to enhance them with a filter in Digital Image Suite.

Not very many sunbathers were on the beach, but it turned out to be a beautiful afternoon for a stroll along the beach with Point Loma in view in the distance.

 Few people braved the cool temps to grab as many rays as possible and to frolic in the surf. They didn’t seem to care that it was 66 degrees under cloudy skies and a brisk breeze. They came to the beach for their summer vacation and they are determined to wear their beach clothes and bask in whatever sun is available.

The beach front sites are full every day in the summer.

 Broadway was quiet at mid-day

 

 

The Campground kiosk area on Flag Day

.

Our Day Today and Oh, What a Day

WHERE WE ARE relative to this post

 

Today is the first day we have been able to get out and do our walk since last week.  I decided to take my camera and would like to share some of the sights we encountered on our 4 mile outing.

We are blessed with varied terrain here at the Silver Strand.  We can walk along the beach, walk the nature preserve in the park, walk on the bike path towards Coronado, or walk in the luxurious housing area of Coronado Cays.  Today we chose to walk in the Cays and see what we would see.

Today also happened to be the 2nd day of the Ragnar Relay race which began in Huntington Beach yesterday at 5:00am.  The race covers 203.5 miles with 6-12 member teams.  You can read about it here:  Ragnar Relay So. Calif.

We saw all the activity of preparing the finish line at the beginning of our walk.  The runners were still 4 hours away so we knew we had plenty of time before the first team arrived.

The Ragnar Relay Finish Line near the Lifeguard Tower

We continued our walk through parking lot #2 and through parking lot #1 where we came upon the sail boat that beached last week.  The registered owner was found to be in Oregon, but was no longer the owner.  I understand if no one claims it in 4 weeks, the State will have it removed.

A very nice sail boat washed ashore last week and rests in Parking Lot #1

We continued our walk past the boat, past the entrance kiosk, and across Hwy 75 to Coronado Cays.  We enjoyed the blooming landscaping and in particular these birds of paradise along the public road.

A Double Dose of Birds of Paradise

Around the corner from the Birds of Paradise we were treated to another world; a world of water and boats and better than average housing.

Boat Docks at the Doorsteps - I could get used to this

On the outskirts of this well healed housing area is a nice natural preserve featuring a walking path through the native plants and a sandy beach all around on the edge of San Diego Bay.   Some of the plants are in bloom.

Pride of Madeira along San Diego Bay (thanks Gloria)

This plant blooms from Spring to Summer

The spikes on the Pride of Madeira are captivating

Rock Rose

Each flower lasts only 1 day on this perennial shrub

We continued our walk through the Cays to one of the many marinas.  This one has a sidewalk that leads to the Coronado Cays Yacht Club on San Diego Bay.  The club is for members only, but open for pedestrians to wander through.

One of the many marinas in the Cays

 



More boats, water, and houses

More boats, water, and houses

The Bronze Fisherman at the Yacht Club

We left Coronado Cays and returned to the Silver Strand State Beach - Bay Side and walked down the same path that the Ragnar Runners will run just before finishing the over 24 hour race.

Tunnel #2 at the Silver Strand SB that joins the Bay Side to the Ocean.

This is the route the Ragnar Relay Runners use to travel to the finish line.

The runners pass through the tunnel and come out on the beach side near the Silver Strand Grill.  They turn left at the end of the path and find the finish line right in front of them.

A short straight run before the turn

A sharp left turn before the finish line

And there is the finish line

12 Boys in Speedos were the 4th team to cross the finish line

The sights and sounds of our morning walk left us refreshed and ready to return to the campground. 

Many campers were in the campground for the weekend - all having a good time

I hope you enjoyed going on our walk with us today.  I enjoyed your company. 

Let's do this again soon.   Kathie and Bob enjoying Being Where We Are.

Family Time In Huntington Beach

Where We Are relative to this post

Can life get any better than this?  We have just ended a 6 day visit with my Step-Mother, Judy, in Huntington Beach, Ca. and are heading to the Silver Strand State Beach where we will be until late June.  Judy was a gracious hostess and always receives us with open arms.  She had our room ready for us as usual and welcomes us to come and go as we please.  We prefer to relax at the house and go on outings with her rather than without her. 

The city of Huntington Beach allows oversize vehicle parking on its streets with a permit.  A quick phone call to the Traffic Division of the Police Dept. was all that was required to be able to park the motorhome on the street in front of her house.

Although we don't sleep in the MH during our visit, it sure comes in handy to have our home only steps away.   I like to give Judy a break from her own meal planning and I enjoy preparing meals for all of us.  That is where the close proximity of the MH comes in so handy.  I like to use familiar cooking utensils and seemed to be continuously shuttling items back and forth.   If I was in the house, I needed something from the motorhome; and if I was in the motorhome, I needed something I had taken into the house.  It was all worth the compliments and appreciation I received from Judy.  She made me feel like a star chef.

During our stay we had the chance to go cheer on my nephew, Jake, in 3 of his All-Star Tournament Basketball games.  (age group: 4th graders)  I wasn't sure I wanted to drive Orange County freeways in the rain, as was predicted for Saturday, but the first Tournament game happened to be on Saturday morning, the day a strong winter storm hit the southland.  The drive to the game from Huntington Beach to Fullerton was mostly on surface streets and the rain was light.  However, after the game was a different story.  Funny.  On our way to Marie Callender's for breakfast,  the skies opened up and I drove onto the freeway in a downpour, exactly like I had imagined that I didn't want to do.  Well, we survived.  And Jake's team, the Yorba Linda All-Star Pumas, won their game.  Yea!

Jake had 2 games to play on Sunday in Irvine.   Judy and I went to the afternoon game and I got a little more practice driving the Orange County freeways, but on a beautiful sunny day.  I am pleased to report that Jake's team won that game 51-29 and are still in tournament play. 

 JAKE (No. 3) MAKES A FREE-THROW

It was fun to watch these kids play.  They play hard and they play to win.  Nice going Jake and team.  Good luck in upcoming games.


Our other big adventure while we were at Judy's came yesterday.  I decided I was ready to handle the Los Angeles freeways and drove us to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum on Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood.  I think I'll make THAT adventure a separate post.


I'm writing this on the afteroon of Wednesday March 21, 2012 as we roll south on I-5 towards the Silver Strand State Beach where we will be camp hosting until June.  And from there I will continue posting and BEING WHERE WE ARE.......

Moving On to Indio

We had a wonderfully quiet relaxing time at the Salton Sea just hanging out, watching the White Pelicans, and hiking to the Visitor Center. Writing about this beautiful area was on my mind the whole time we were there. Somehow I haven't been able to get my thoughts on paper, but maybe mañana will be the time to do it.

For now, we have successfully moved on to another homesite for maybe a week. We are free camping in the gravel parking area beyond the asphalt "no overnight parking" lot of Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, CA.

We are here to visit our son Tim, Daughter-in-Law Rosemary, and our beautiful Grandson Jimmy who live a short 10 minutes away.

We had to drive only 27 miles or so and were ready for a special treat when we arrived. It didn't take us long to find our favorite spot, put the jacks down, put the slides out, unhook the car, and be on our way to In 'N Out Burger. So much for the "Holiday 5" that have been difficult to shed. I wonder why? There is always next month.....

Just.........BEING WHERE WE ARE

The Salton Sea

Where We Are ...relative to this posting

The Salton Sea is a landlocked salty body of water 35 miles long, 15 miles wide, and 227 feet below sea level.  There is no natural outlet flowing to the ocean; whatever flows in, including agricultural runoff, does not flow out.  The sea is 30 percent saltier than the ocean making it difficult for all fish but the hardy Tilapia to survive. 

It is a major migratory stopover for thousands of birds, including snow geese, grebes, white-faced ibis, Ross and Canada geese.  White pelicans were in abundant supply and a joy to watch.

From our perch on the little cliff at Corvina Beach, we had a fabulous view of the sea, the Santa Rosa mountains in the distance, and a constant presence of white pelicans.

One morning I was lucky to look out the window at just the right time.  I grabbed my camera and shot several images of this group of pelicans.  They were travelling together feeding as they went.  Unlike brown pelicans who dive for their meals, the white pelican catches its prey while swimming.

This happened so quickly that I was glad I had kept the

shutter button down recording several frames in a row.

And then they all were feeding.

There are 6 campgrounds at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area boasting 1500 campsites.  Corvina Beach is one of the primitive campgrounds that just last year acquired Kayak Camp status. 

A new picnic arbor, campfire area, and cold showers were

built to offer rustic accommodations for overnight kayakers.

Our accommodations were a little more comfortable. With lots of room

around us we enjoyed the solitude and gorgeous views our campsite had to offer.

We had planned to stay only 3 days, but on the 4th day we were not ready to leave.  We decided, instead, to hike to the visitor center 2 miles to the north.  The day was sunny and warm, but bathed us in a cool breeze.

There were two stretches of trail.  One was pretty much cross country through sand and across small ravines where erosion was evident from Corvina Beach to Mecca Beach.

 The second stretch was more developed from Mecca Beach to Headquarters.

We reached the visitor center at Headquarters in about an hour's time.  The visitor center is manned by volunteers who are eager to answer questions about the sea and suggest possible solutions to its preservation.  Lots of solutions are needed, as this State Recreation area is scheduled to close in July of this year as collateral damage of the California budget crises.  The future of the Salton Sea is a topic of much debate in the area. 

Varnier Harbor with boat launch area and visitor center in the background.

The beach, the Sea, and the Santa Rosa and Coyote

mountains in the distance just steps away from our home.   

We loved the serenity of this camping area and are sad that this may be the last time we camp here due to the scheduled closing of the Rec Area. 

The "beach" is made up of crushed shells and is not friendly to barefoot strolling. 

There are also concentrated areas of fish skeletons along

the high water mark from where the sea has receded. 

And then on the 4th night of our stay after our hike to the visitor center, a nap, and brief time tending new blisters from boots I shouldn't have worn, we were treated to a full moon as we sat outside by the campfire.  I didn't take any photos of that night, but I did capture the full moon as it descended beyond the mountains the following morning.

There is a story behind this photo.  I awoke early, before dawn on a full moonlit night, but with blackout shades on our bedroom windows, it was easy to ignore the moonlight.  I had forgotten about the full moon and stayed in bed a bit too long to capture the setting moon at its best.  After I got up I discovered a golden moon reflecting its golden light upon the sea.  I hurried to get my camera gear and tripod, but by the time I got set up, the reflection was gone and the moon was ready to fall out of site.  It was a beautiful site that I will always hold dear.

We have just enjoyed another time of BEING WHERE WE ARE......

We wish you the skill of BEING WHERE YOU ARE....

On the Way to The Salton Sea

WHERE WE ARE - relative to this posting

Preface:  This post ended up dormant in draft status until now, thus old news, but I still wanted to post it.  My true inexperience at blogging shines through.

Hello to all. I hope this note finds you well and ready to take on the day. I am new to blogging, but think it will work out just fine. Many thanks to my new friend, Lynda (read her blog at STILLHOWLYN) who introduced me to this concept and has given me a personal tutorial and much encouragement.

I begin this blogging journey with an account of our transition from 5 weeks in the Anza Borrego desert.......

We knew it was time to leave our lovely Anza Borrego Desert boondocking site when receptacles that should be full were empty and those that should be empty were full, i.e., the refrigerator, freezer, propane tank, and fresh water tank should be full, but were empty; the other holding tanks should be empty, but were full.

Our 5 weeks of Being Where We Are in the desert were over.

Thus, we gathered our gear and headed east on S-22 towards The Salton Sea. The drive was uneventful except for the stretch of S-22 as it leaves Anza Borrego and approaches S-86. There is a short stretch of road where San Diego County ends and Imperial County begins that is worse than a roller coaster ride. 10MPH in a Motorhome through this section is almost too fast. We have been through this area before, but to the unsuspecting, the "rough road ahead" sign doesn't begin to describe the condition of the road. It was much like frost heaves we encountered in Yellowstone NP one year that really gave us a wild ride. We personally didn't bounce to the ceiling, but a shelf in my clothes cabinet did. The shelf dislodged and came tumbling down; all my folded clothes came to a rest on those below.

We gassed up at the Salton City Arco Travel Center at the intersection of S-22 and S-86 with $4.299 a gallon for gas (ouch) and $2.99 a gallon for propane (not so bad).

We also took advantage of The Travel Center's multi-lane dump station, and fresh water outlets. This center also has a laundromat, auto parts store, weigh station, and convenience store with a whole room devoted to beer, and a dairy case that included 1/2 gallon jugs of milk for $3.69! I assume the beer is for the off-road enthusiasts who come to the Ocotillo Wells area of Anza Borrego State Park on the weekends, but the milk was just what I needed to supplement our very low food supply.

We arrived at Corvina Beach early in the afternoon and were pleased once again to have our choice of sites. This primitive campground has sites without numbers, wooden picnic tables, and a new shower building - without hot water.  (more about the our stay at the Salton Sea here. )

We are looking forward to our brief stay in this corner of the desert paradise.

Life is good Being Where We Are.