Thursday, June 30, 2016
Yosemite National Park
Our day in Yosemite began early. We wanted to get into the park and see as much as possible in one day. We had 36 miles to travel a long and winding road to arrive at Yosemite. There were several others making the early trek and they were in a big hurry. Although we were driving at the posted speed limit, we pulled into the pullouts a couple of times to allow the motorists following us to get around. Drivers here are in a rush and don't mind letting other drivers know when they are annoyed. No, it wasn't all directed at us!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
3 Days of Travel
We drove from Daniel, Wyoming to Beaver, Utah, to Barstow, Californina, to Bakersfield, California over the past 3 days. The first day was a long trip, we drove past the Young Family Farms - Lavender Farm. I tried to catch a picture of the beautiful lavender as we whizzed by. Later in the evening I saw on Facebook that Barb had been there that day!
In the little town of Beaver we stayed at the KOA Campground, where Ingrid checked us in and told us if we wanted a real treat for dinner to go to Timberline Restaurant. She was not exaggerating at all. The food from freshly shredded hash browns, to made from scratch sweet rolls and fruit pies was home cooked and delicious. It is easy to find and right at exit 109 on I-15.
The next stop on this leg of the journey to Yosemite was smack dab in the middle of the Mojave Desert near Barstow, California. After passing Las Vegas and crossing the California border we saw three very bright lights. At first they looked like lighthouses, but that wouldn't be the case in the desert. It was just early afternoon and the lights were the brightest we've ever seen. I pulled out the handy, dandy iPad to Google "three bright lights in the desert". Google didn't let me down. In February 2014, Ivanpah Solar Power Facility opened the concentrated solar thermal power plant. I learned the plant produces 392 megawatts of electricity, enough to serve 140,000 homes in northern and southern California.
As we were preparing to get on the road this morning, Ray didn't want a bowl of cereal for breakfast and since our internal clocks have us up on the eastern time zone, at least three hours earlier than the others at KOA, we decided to find Peggy Sue's 50's Diner. We had seen the billboard advertisement yesterday when we arrived at the Barstow KOA. Peggy Sue's was very easy to find and another good place to stop on I-15. True to the name, it is a 50's diner with seats at a counter, booths near the window as well as a larger dining room you find at the end of the yellow brick road, yellow tiles on the floor. The menu was full of food choices such as the John Wayne Omelet, which Ray chose and I had the Travelers Breakfast. Waitresses wore uniform dresses with matching aprons and headbands. By this time it won't be too early to start the engine of the RV. Thoughtful traveler, Ray, didn't want to wake everyone parked near us, too early.
The trip today wasn't as long as the past two days. We could have gone all the way to Yosemite, but we couldn't get on our reserved site until Sunday. We decided to stop at Bakersfield and found a real gem, Country RV Park. We could see it is a beautiful, well-cared for place. It is a joy to be here after traveling the past two days in the desert.
In the little town of Beaver we stayed at the KOA Campground, where Ingrid checked us in and told us if we wanted a real treat for dinner to go to Timberline Restaurant. She was not exaggerating at all. The food from freshly shredded hash browns, to made from scratch sweet rolls and fruit pies was home cooked and delicious. It is easy to find and right at exit 109 on I-15.
The next stop on this leg of the journey to Yosemite was smack dab in the middle of the Mojave Desert near Barstow, California. After passing Las Vegas and crossing the California border we saw three very bright lights. At first they looked like lighthouses, but that wouldn't be the case in the desert. It was just early afternoon and the lights were the brightest we've ever seen. I pulled out the handy, dandy iPad to Google "three bright lights in the desert". Google didn't let me down. In February 2014, Ivanpah Solar Power Facility opened the concentrated solar thermal power plant. I learned the plant produces 392 megawatts of electricity, enough to serve 140,000 homes in northern and southern California.
As we were preparing to get on the road this morning, Ray didn't want a bowl of cereal for breakfast and since our internal clocks have us up on the eastern time zone, at least three hours earlier than the others at KOA, we decided to find Peggy Sue's 50's Diner. We had seen the billboard advertisement yesterday when we arrived at the Barstow KOA. Peggy Sue's was very easy to find and another good place to stop on I-15. True to the name, it is a 50's diner with seats at a counter, booths near the window as well as a larger dining room you find at the end of the yellow brick road, yellow tiles on the floor. The menu was full of food choices such as the John Wayne Omelet, which Ray chose and I had the Travelers Breakfast. Waitresses wore uniform dresses with matching aprons and headbands. By this time it won't be too early to start the engine of the RV. Thoughtful traveler, Ray, didn't want to wake everyone parked near us, too early.
The trip today wasn't as long as the past two days. We could have gone all the way to Yosemite, but we couldn't get on our reserved site until Sunday. We decided to stop at Bakersfield and found a real gem, Country RV Park. We could see it is a beautiful, well-cared for place. It is a joy to be here after traveling the past two days in the desert.
Friday, June 24, 2016
Painted Canyon
Susan asked if we stopped at the rest area just before the Medora exit while in N.D. The answer is yes, we did. I have a couple of pics of the beautiful Painted Canyon.
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From Daniel Junction to Beaver
Today was a full day of driving from Daniel Junction, Wyoming to Beaver, Utah.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
No Vacancy
I was on the phone one evening and the following morning to find an RV park with a vacancy at or near Jackson, WY. Every place I called was booked. Finally, I was able to book a stay at Daniel Junction Foodmart about 50 miles south of Jackson. We are out in the middle of Wyoming ranches where the deer and the antelope roam. There aren't nice amenities like a pool, hot tub, tennis courts or club house, but we have full hook-up, water, electric and sewer and the all important wifi so I'm able to make these posts to update the blog.
Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore
Our first stop of the day took us to Camping World....the shower head broke this morning. Don't worry, we were able to get our showers. Following that we had breakfast at a Perkins Family Restaurant.
A beautiful drive in the Black Hills out to Mt. Rushmore. We were here fifteen years ago and drove into a small parking lot below the presidents. There was a small platform we walked up onto to gaze up at the faces carved into the mountain. Not a big deal at all and not many visitors at the time. There have been many changes since we were here in 2001. First we noticed Keystone is a thriving tourist area that we didn't remember, then as we arrived at Mt. Rushmore we were amazed. There is a multi-level parking garage in place of the parking lot. A beautiful walkway, the Avenue of Flags, is lined with flags of the 50 states along with a plaque engraved with the state name and order of being admitted into the union and that date, leads to a the Grand View Terrace, where the presidents are in full view. A visitors center, restaurant and gift shop are there and a short walk takes you to the sculptor's studio.
A beautiful drive in the Black Hills out to Mt. Rushmore. We were here fifteen years ago and drove into a small parking lot below the presidents. There was a small platform we walked up onto to gaze up at the faces carved into the mountain. Not a big deal at all and not many visitors at the time. There have been many changes since we were here in 2001. First we noticed Keystone is a thriving tourist area that we didn't remember, then as we arrived at Mt. Rushmore we were amazed. There is a multi-level parking garage in place of the parking lot. A beautiful walkway, the Avenue of Flags, is lined with flags of the 50 states along with a plaque engraved with the state name and order of being admitted into the union and that date, leads to a the Grand View Terrace, where the presidents are in full view. A visitors center, restaurant and gift shop are there and a short walk takes you to the sculptor's studio.
A Small Step Back in Time
All along the highway for miles and miles we saw billboards, not the huge new computerized ones, but the type I remember my childhood. Each one was different, but they were all piquing our interest in Wall Drug. I don't know how many we had passed before I decided to snap a few photos. Those colorful illustrations were entertaining for miles and prepared us for our Wall Drug destination. In case you wonder why I didn't have better shots to post the first picture may help clarify that for you. It was sometimes a bit difficult to focus at 80 miles per hour.
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