Not Yosemite

 This area is part of the historical gold rush area. The area is connected via California 49

 We decided to explore a couple of these towns along the route 49. We went to Sonora to access an bank ATM. It had mainly evolved into a typical rural town. Nice, but missing the charm we were looking for.

 When we back tracked to Jamestown we found both the charm and sites we were seeking. First visit was to Railtown 1897 historical state park. Well worth the $5 entry fee

More information can be found HERE

 Volunteers do all the restoration work on the many engines and rolling stock they have there. Many many movies and TV shows have in part been filmed there.

 Of course she had to act the part of a couple of movies/tv shows

 We then went "downtown" to the charming old Main street. Along the way found a local winery had a wine tasting room, yep 4 bottles followed us home.

 Yosemite confession. We have 'been' to Yosemite, we have not 'seen' it. Much like the Grand Canyon where you cannot just look over Mather point and say you have 'seen' it, so it is with Yosemite. The park is about the size of Connecticut, yet most visitors only come to the valley. We fall into that bracket of people. Will probably never return so our brief exposure to Yosemite we will have to suffice. If we were in better shape a hike up to Glacier point would yield a whole different view and experience. To be 20 years younger and in better shape...

adventure before dementia...

Yosemite

 Neighbors we had over the weekend went to Yosemite on Sunday. Spent 8 hours in a traffic jam. So glad we avoided the weekend. We left about 7:30am and beat the crowds. GO EARLY if you come. It was crazy by the time we left. 25 miles from gate to valley floor. Speaking of crowds, remove all the non English speaking visitors and the crowd would be reduced by 75%. Now that is not a Trumpian rant against non Americans, just an observation from the last three national parks.


 Photo essay

bust of John Muir, main reason this park exist

 Met one of the locals on the way out

 Failed to tell you we picked up a hitchhiker back in Arizona. Does not say much, just rides along keeping a wary eye on things

"...gather ye rosebuds while ye may..."

Alive and well

 We are outside Groveland California, which is outside northern entrance into Yosemite. When we read a visitors guide about visiting this weekend it said "are you crazy?" Very popular park, in very populous state, very near capital city.

 We are here for ten days to allow for multiple visits, so we decided to chill during the busy weekend. Sure it will still be busy tomorrow, but a little less insane. At our current 3000' elevation we have nice weather, as compared to the 103 temps at our winter spot. Yosemite is big and we will not be able to hike everywhere and see everything, but we will get a good taste.

 Google or search on Youtube "priest grade highway 120". I did not shoot a video but you can get a taste of the steep snake coming up this way.

 Colds about gone, life is good

Photo essay from Yosemite in next day or so



carpe diem

Public annoucement

 All future rv trips will be confined to the midwest or the low country of the southeast.


 Co-pilot is not happy


 Mary does not do well on twisty roads. Coming out of Sequoia the other day we coasted down a road for maybe ten miles, turn after turn. I LOVED it, Mary was green. Driving up to Yosemite today we had to climb a steep grade for about 6 miles. Turns so sharp Maggie nearly had to bend in half. Mary knows she must go back down that road. The weather is not the only thing cold right now...


 More later from Yosemite National Park. Will probably wait to visit park on Tuesday after the holiday weekend crowds die down some.

Summer 2018 travel map

such is the cross I have to bear....

Sequoia Kings Canyon NP's

 Well after calling in sick yesterday, only ventured to what was called a "pharmacy", we made the UPHILL drive to Sequoia NP. One thing I have learned is the Sierras are DAMN steep. Sad thing is with so much pollution you cannot see them from afar. You go up steep, windy roads with nothing but scrub oaks around you, tun a corner and bam you are a grove. I knew they were big but pictures do not do them justice.

 I have developed the shakes of something as my photos are terrible. Using a point and shoot on full auto Will try and figure something out

Sherman tree, the big boy!

this little fella is just average

 One thing we learned is they sprout and starting growing upward at a pretty fast clip. Once at the desired height they spend the couple thousand years fattening up.

Summer 2018 travel map


 We left south Texas on May First, three weeks ago yesterday. In that time Maggie has taken us 2216 miles, used 276 gallons of diesel. Runs 4:20 per gallon out here, you do the math....


Another day of rest before we move again. More to see in Kings Canyon but tough to get there and we are not hitting on all cylinders health wise. Hiking at 7000 ft when you cannot breath at 600 ft is just rough


gasping and moaning


trying to start new routine. Will post on blog before posting anything on FB

Serves him right

You might remember that I wrote how our stay at Ainsworth state park was affected because of a fire. The punk that thought it was cute to throw fireworks in a tinder dry forest was sentenced yesterday. Couple thousand hours of community service, (only 15 years old), but a fine of $36 MILLION. Better than him setting in cell and us supporting him.

 On a different note, we are officially wards of the government! Between social security and my pension defaulting and being taken over by Pension Benefit Guarantee Trust. The feds have me by the short and curries!


Beautiful cool morning enjoying my coffee listening to the river...

Boss is hugging her pillow, does not appreciate early mornings!

Short travel day

 But not without some excitement.

 First off after breakfast we went to California fruit depot which was nearby. They have a variety of products and we bought some valencia oranges, fresh sqeezed orange juice and some dates. Oranges are wonderfully sweet.

 In doing our pre-departure check I discovered the electric brakes in Jeep were not working. When I apply brakes in the coach it tells the unit in jeep to apply them as well. They are designed to cut off after 15 seconds so that you do not ruin the car brakes. In investigating it seems I blew a 20amp fuse to the unit. Not really surprised as we had some long, steep grades to climb and go down. Wanted to stop and top off tanks so easy enough to buy some fuses. Luckily that fixed the problem for now.

 The drive up 99 from Bakersfield to Three rivers would never be called scenic. The air was bad and far from clear. We passed a lot of citrus groves, nut orchards, and row crops, even a feed lot or two. Mile after mile of that but overall scenery was drab.

Summer 2018 travel map

 Depending on weather and how we feel, tomorrow brings two National Parks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Was snowing up there today and high for tomorrow is 47. A far cry from the 95 of Vegas.




hacking and coughing our way thru California


do you ever look at the states visited map on right of page?

21 of the lower 48, via rv

Need orange juice?

 Before we left Vegas Maggie needed a bath. Not being a timid girl she had it out in the open.

 Three dollars a foot in case you are wondering for her little fluff and buff


Summer 2018 map

 We are now in Bakersfield California. If you ever want to see NOTHING, take 15 from Vegas to Barstow then 58 from Barstow to Bakersfield.
 Nothing to see here folks, move along...

past harvest time but remaining oranges are the size of tangerines.

 Just here for the night with short drive tomorrow


Mary is still sick and my throat is scratchy....


no time to be sick, things to see and do. Ever pull up to a fuel pump, put in $200 and not fill the tank? Not for the week of heart or billfold...

$4.20 per gallon

Will work for food...
Filing bankruptcy...

It happens

 We have been on the road nearly three weeks, exposed to crowds. Not surprising it happened.

 My co-pilot is sick...


 Nothing serious but enough to make her feel bad and slow her down considerably. We have been to Vegas maybe a dozen times. This is probably our last. Have not been to the strip and no plans to do so.

 So with little new to show/share I thought I would show where we have been. Thumbtacks mark our spot at each location

Three state parks, one national park and three commercial parks. Got to fix that ratio!

 Playing nursemaid today then on to California tomorrow



pampering and caring, not gathering rosebuds