Almost South to Arizona March 2019

Fall City, WA to Pendleton, OR to Jackpot, NV 

03.06.19-03.07.19

We are off on another adventure. This time to Arizona where we hope to find warmer weather.  Mother Nature was not going to make it easy for us as she threw more wintery weather as we headed south.  Icy scale formations grew on the van as we traveled through eastern Washington.  We made a stop in Richland at Spudnut Donuts.  Not sure if I’m completely sold on donuts made from potatoes but we gave it a try.  With freezing conditions and visibility less than 500 feet over the Blue Mountains, we stopped at Wildhorse Casino in Pendleton for the night.  The next morning, we awoke to sunshine and a blanket of snow.  We ate breakfast at the casino giving time for road conditions to improve.  It was beautiful crossing over the Blue mountains of Oregon.  Jo’s brother is moving to Idaho so we made a quick stop to check out their new lot where their home will be built.  Made it to Jackpot, Nevada where we stopped for the night at Cactus Pete’s Casino.  So far this trip has been wintery weather and casinos.

FC - Pendleton - Jackpot Video 

Jackpot, NV to Ely, NV

03.08.19

More snow fell overnight in Jackpot but less than the previous night in Pendleton.  The snowplows were busy cleaning up the highway as we headed south towards Wells.  Jo’s mom grew up in Wells where Jo’s grandparents owned the Wells Cafe.  Sadly, the building is gone.  The townspeople were out clearing the sidewalks and roads of the recent snowfall.  We continued on to Ely since Jo needed a reliable internet connection to work.  In Ely, Kevin and I walked about the town, checking out the oddities in the casinos - taxidermy, wood carved talking man, Roy Rogers exhibit, sidewalk stars, and a steakhouse where you can dine in a cell block. The town has several motels, most have seen better days and rent cheaply ($40).  And of course there are several bars or at least there used to be as many are now boarded up.   Ely also has several murals on the sides of their buildings.  One mural was dedicated to the woman of Ely who made the community.  Fitting to see this on International Women’s Day.  It was expected to get down to 16 degrees so we turned on the heater and snuggled in for the evening.

Jackpot to Ely Video 

Ely, NV to Stewarts Point on Lake Mead, NV

03.09.19

Awoke to a cold sunny morning but this time with no snow.  After a leisure morning, we continued our trek towards Arizona.  We stopped at Millers Point, overlooking the Cathedral Gorge.  This is a beautiful canyon which we have hiked and camped in the past.  As it had recently rained or snowed, the mud was exceptionally slippery.   I managed a full 360 and barely missed going down.  Good thing today our plans were just for a quick  look as hiking would not have been advisable.  Pretty desert scenery with Joshua trees, chollas and sagebrush as we continued. Overlooking huge valleys with a road as straight as an arrow crossing it.  Our plan was to camp at the Valley of Fire but the campgrounds were full.  Something we should have anticipated as it was Saturday night.  But all was not lost as we found a great boondocking spot at Stewarts Point overlooking Lake Mead. 

Ely to Stewarts Point Video 

Stewarts Point, NV to Boron, CA

03.10.19

Woke up to wonderful sunrise over the waters of Lake Mead.  After a 1/2 mile trek to the outhouse, we were ready to start our day or so we thought. The van was making a strange noise - sounded like rocks grinding in the engine.  We headed to Henderson to find a mechanic’s stethoscope so Kevin could diagnose where the noise was coming from as so far there were no warning light indicators.  Once supplied with the tools, Kevin’s best guess was that it was the AC compressor which in the Sprinter is always running by design even when AC is not in use.  In the past, we have had good experience with Rocklin MB and we can stay at our niece’s house so west and north we go.  Arizona will have to wait for us another time.  Tonight’s stop, Boron Rest Area where we can see in the distance the plant that processes borax and watch a guy do his circuit training off the back of his van.

Stewarts Point to Boron Video 

Boron, CA to Fresno, CA

03.11.19

We hit the road going through Mojave, Tehachapi, Bakersfield.... 

Well, we didn’t make it to Rocklin but luckily Fresno MB repair only 11 miles away from where we broke down.  AC compressor seized which shredded the belt rendering the van inoperable.   We called AAA for a tow.  First tow truck got there in 20 min. but it wasn’t big enough so they sent another bigger truck which got there in under 20 min.  Yikes, the van looked huge while being loaded onto the tow truck.  Bobdog rode in the Sprinter in his crate so I’m sure he was wondering what was going on as the van was tilted up to get it onto the tow truck.  At MB, they confirmed Kevin’s diagnosis and parts have been ordered so crossing our fingers it gets fixed by Thursday.  They said we could stay in the van tonight in their lot so that made us happy.  We don’t like to leave our home on wheels.  We’ll see what happens tomorrow and if we have to find a motel or not.

Boron to Fresno Video 

Fresno, CA Birthday Party (Day 1)

03.12.19

Day one of exploring Fresno by foot.  First stop, Starbucks for my free birthday coffee.  Bobdog enjoyed the morning walk and the potential for treats.  Giant streets around here, crossing 10 lanes of traffic and the crossing signal turns red before you barely get off curb.   After coffee, Jo and I took off for 2 mile walk to the movie theater while Kevin headed back to the van with Bobdog.  The van parts were ordered Monday but we missed 2pm deadline so most likely the parts wouldn’t arrive until Wednesday.   On our walk, Jo got into a fight with the sidewalk... sidewalk 1, Jo 0.  She’s ok probably find a few bruises later.  It was discount Tuesday at the theater so $12.40 for both of us to see the movie.  This is a huge theater with 22 different theaters and some had themed entrances.  Jo and I enjoyed watching “How to Train your Dragon.”  We then headed to Sal Mexican Restaurant which is one of my mom’s favorites although she likes the Selma location better.  Good thing Jo and I shared, as the serving was huge.  Meanwhile, back at the van, Kevin and Bobdog enjoyed a walk and some relaxing time.  After Sal’s, Jo and I headed back to the van via Walmart to pick up some ice for cold beer and drinks.   Bobdog and I went for a quick walk around MB parking lot or at least I thought it would be quick except for the California downpour.  We waited out the heaviest part and then made a run for the van. For dinner, Kevin and I went to Don Pepe Taqueria.  Pretty tasty food and a busy place.  One last stop for the night to Walmart for bday cupcakes and donuts for MB repair guys.

Fresno Bday Video 

Fresno, CA Food Tour (Day 2)

03.13.19

Another night in MB lot, it’s all good because we would rather stay in the van than a motel.  MB guys have been really nice, checking in with us and even said we could plug in if needed.  Kevin delivered the donuts to the guys in the morning and we got word the parts had arrived.  Yeah!  So we handed over the van and headed towards Kaiser’s Wednesday Farmers market.  At the farmers market, we got CBD coffee, homemade jam, chipotle cooking sauce, and filipino bread.  Backpacks full of goodies, we headed back towards MB.  Since, we seem to be making our own Fresno Food tour of course we stopped in at Uncle Harry’s New York Bagelry to pick up a couple of bagels.  Next stop, the Meat Market for delicious bbq sandwiches.  They pack a lot of meat in these sandwiches.  After lunch, we enjoyed the California sunshine for a bit.  Continuing on we checked out the Japanese internment memorial.  A very sad time for US history, imprisoning of American citizens based only on their race and ethnicity.   Unfortunately today, similar prejudice continues against other groups in America.  Remember, we are all products of immigration unless you are Native American Indian.  Last stop, Dutch Brothers, where we enjoyed more coffee and waited for MB to call us.  Around 3pm, we got our van back and finally we were on the road again.

Fresno Food Tour Video 

Sacramento, CA- Home

03.14.19-03.16.19

A sunny morning in California had the dogs out playing tag.  Then it was off to Costco to buy Emersyn a bed in a box.  I was very cautious as I tried skateboarding again. Then everybody gave the ebike a try.  Bounced around on the trampoline with Hudson & Emersyn.  A lot of fun and quite a work out!  In the evening, we attended Karter’s school performance.  She along with her classmates danced their hearts out.  That evening, we learned Kevin’s dad had taken a tumble and was in the hospital so the next morning, we loaded up and headed for home.  But before we left, Kevin and Jo sent Karter and Bella off to school with their own version of dancing.  Emersyn got some Bobdog time and we said our goodbyes until next time.  As we passed through the Shasta area, we were saddened by all the burned areas.  We made it as far as Roseburg where we called it a night.  The casino has a really nice rest area which makes a great overnight spot.  Bobdog and I stretched our legs by walking to the RV resort.  In the morning, we were greeted with a beautiful sunrise.  Grabbed breakfast (German pancakes) at Elmer’s and continued heading north.  We swung by the hospital to check in on Bob and then headed home to unpack in the sunshine.  Bob was released from the hospital the next day and is at home resting.  Our trip was cut short but we enjoyed it just the same!

Sacramento to Home Video