Our 9 month adventure will be quite dynamic this year. Why you ask? We plan to chase our new granddaughter, Collins! Right now she is in Toronto with her parents, but not sure that is where they will be in a few months. Kevin and I are dog setting Grandpa (their dog) so they have one less being to manage during any transition. Where we return him is unknown as we depart our home in Cary, NC.
The 101 south was blocked due to area fires so debates as to which mountain pass to select to get into the LA/Riverside basin from the north. The grapevine was steeper, longer, windier with very heavy traffic. The other pass out of Palmdale was a bit out of the way but would use the I15 to traverse the mountain pass. Since it was a weekday the shorter distance was selected. The winds were very strong blowing tumbleweeds and debris everywhere. Kevin fought to stay in line while dodging slow moving vehicles struggling to make the grade. The Smitanic did well on the grade and thankfully traffic was light (for LA). The last descent into Hemet off I10 was a familiar relief. This marks the 5 year out of the last 6 at Golden Village Palm RV Resort just across the street from Theresa’s moms home in the Hemet West retirement community. The Smitanic settled in to the same site as the previous year saying hi to the Canadian neighbors Ken and Charlotte.
A quick set up was done and then it was off to Theresa’s moms house to greet her 97 year old mom and 2 of her 4 siblings! Welcome to the west coast winter Home!
The plan is to stay until mid-March, then head back east for a short stay in Florida, then finally return to NC in April.
In all, the timing of the year (late-September) was good to get south and west as the weather patterns shifted into winter mode soon after each stay. The subtheme of Route 66 allowed for some interesting sites as well as some bucket list hits!
Here was the route from Toronto to Hemet. 3942 miles, 51 nights at 21 locations.
The Tobin James Cellars just outside Paso Robles was another Harvest Hosts location and would allow a 2 night stay in their adjacent parking lot as long as your RV was out of the way of the UPS truck staging area that was quite busy throughout the day.
The two wine enthusiast headed to the tasting room to soon spend much more on Wine purchases than any campsite fee would have been for the multiple nights stay. The plan was to meet up with old friends from San Diego, Jim & Nicki Parker who live in Paso and visit the unique boutique vineyards and partake in the abundant wine tastings. Jim helps out at the Bella Luna winery.
On the second days stay the team met him and the owner and got a quick tour of the wine making process.
The next day Kevin and Theresa checked out 2 other Harvest host wineries in Paso to discover that they were not going to work for the size of the Smitanic RV. One the rig could not get in due to low tree branches on the roads to the winery and the other entry was ok but could not figure out how to get out as backing up all the way out was not viable. Alas a reservation at Cava Robles RV Park was made. It was moderately priced but was new with nice large sites.
Theresa looked up Pickleball locations in the area in hopes to introduce Nicki and Jim to the sport! There was a very active group that played at a local community center nearby. However rain and other events did not allow anything but a short visit to get some initial info on the group. Maybe next time.
The next day’s treat was dinner at Allegretto Vineyard Resort with some of Jim’s younger relatives who were visiting the area. This was a very posh hotel with a European Venetian feel, with massive statues and artwork lining every hallway! The meal, wine and company were delightful!
Next on the schedule was a Wine festival of local boutique winemakers. There were 100 or more filling table after table to display and share their vintages. One memorable one was ‘On your left’ winery and had varietals with names like paceline, twowheeler, and Cycologyst…. much tasting and comparing filled the evening. Final hugs were exchanged amongst the forever friends.
What a great visit, always too short. Exhausted, it was a very early night in anticipation of an early final journey into Hemet.
Another harvest hosts overnight stay along the I40 corridor was selected. Peggy Sues Dinner-saur Garden was in the middle of nowhere but had a large flat parking lot as well as a 50’s themed dinner/gift shop with a garden oasis lined with yes dinosaurs!
A well camouflaged Marine Corps base was adjacent to it and spanned for miles with low profile housing as well as massive equipment storage buildings.
The Smitanic claimed a shaded spot away from dinner. The lot would only be shared with 4RVs and 6 semi-trucks for the night.
An early supper of massive portions was ordered and only partially consumed in the dinner followed by a walk thru the Dinasaur themed garden.
The night was dark and quiet. Without warning a 6am revelry sounded from the near base awoke all. For that minute one felt connected to those who have chosen to serve. A silent thank you was given to each and every one of them.
With that wake up call it was an early start to the day’s destination of Paso Robles, CA, the penultimate stop before descending into the Hemet valley for a long winters stay.
Lake Havasu was just 180 miles mostly south from the Grand Canyon. A waterfront site (water & electric) at the Crazy Horse RV Park was reserved for the next 4 nights!
The temps were in the 70s as the lake came into view when the Smitanic reached the crest of the desert hills revealing the entire valley.
The park was on a small island over the London Bridge in the heart of the town. It had a very tropical feel, complete with lots of sand and palm trees. Set up was easy in the large pull thru site with a concrete pad. Beverages were poured as the travelers were amazed by the grandeur of a colorful sunset.
The next morning a bit of Pickleball practice was in order on the single lightly used court near the pool. Later, Kevin met lady in jacuzzi that just got off a 5.5 mo on AT solo. Back at the site several neighbors were from Minnesota and were snow birds who have been wintering at the park for years. RVers are a very interesting breed and always have surprising stories and past lives.
Temp continued to be pleasant allowing for windows to be open all night & the selected attire for the day was shorts and sleeveless tops.
There were quite a few Island-like restaurants & tiki bars lining the various marinas around the island. Lunch was enjoyed while gazing at the pricey selection of floating vessels. One can dream!
The next day a boat was rented for the day. First was a tour north thru mini Grand Canyon to i40 then back to explore some of the coves on the south end of the lake.
Coves were everywhere. Some were very private while others were like cannons where it was told that the brave would jump off rock ledges into the water! None of that was observed on this lightly traveled weekday outing, but one could imagine it happening on a warm holiday weekend!
Kevin & Theresa agreed a return stay is a must to explore biking, hiking and paddle boarding in the relaxing lifestyle & perfect temps.
A quick set up was done and then it was off to Theresa’s moms house to greet her 97 year old mom and 2 of her 4 siblings! Welcome to the west coast winter Home!
