For breakfast Monday morning, we had breakfast burritos at the RV park. A gentleman in the Club House makes them "to order." It was a nice way to get an early start and drive to San Diego. We drove through farmland, sand dunes, and rocky hills. Arrival at Thousand Trails Pio Pico RV Resort was around 3pm. We were fortunate to find a nice pull-thru site on the south side of the park.
It has been five years since I was last at this park. It is a beautiful area, but no cell phone and no data service. Sometimes it is just location, location, location. Tom's son, Jon, starts the Pacific Crest Trail on Wednesday --- the trail head is just 40 minutes southeast from here. There is free internet service in the Activity Center --- a short walk from our site. And, Tom and Jon enjoyed a game of ping pong.
When Jon hiked the Arizona Trail last year, he met a fellow hiker --- Dana Law. Dana lives in San Diego and joined us Tuesday afternoon for a social hour and a taco dinner. Dana is a professional magician and mentalist. He is 63 years old and made it a successful career! Dana also shares Jon's passion for distance hiking. But, since he still works, he does the long hikes in sections.
Wednesday morning, we packed up the dogs and the truck and we drove to the town of Campo. The start of the hike was at the California/Mexican border.
The skies were dark, but there was no rain. Tom was a little under the weather, so the dogs and I walked with Jon for the first two miles of the hike. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses a local highway where Tom met us with the truck.
Jon was very patient, as Ramsey was walking slow in parts --- due to his wobbly back legs. After crossing the highway, the dogs and I joined Tom. Jon proceeded down the trail. We made plans to meet up with Jon in three days --- at mile 42.
The next day, Tom and I met long-time friend, Honoria Vivell, and her husband, Richard Petrie, for lunch. Richard used to live in El Cajon and knew an Irish Pub called Hooley's. Since St. Patrick's Day was on the horizon, it was a good choice! Richard now has a home in Rancho Bernardo.
After lunch, we drove back to the Pio Pico RV Resort. Tom dropped the dogs and I over on the north side of the park and we walked back to the rig. It was about 1 1/2 miles.
Tom's "system" was not functioning properly and he was in a lot of discomfort. He felt better that morning, before having lunch with Honoria and Richard, but the symptoms came back with a vengeance. It was time to go to an Urgent Care facility and have a doctor evaluate what was going on. Off to Chula Vista we went, and, hello Marque Urgent Care!
It was late Thursday afternoon, and the waiting room was packed. Three and one-half hours later, a prescription was filled at a CVS Pharmacy, and we returned to the dogs and the travel trailer. Hopefully, that medicine will do the trick! And, Tom was placed on a bland diet of rice and toast.
Friday was the day we were meeting up with Jon at mile 42 of the Pacific Crest Trail. Tom, the dogs, and I drove to Laguna Mountain. We were rendezvousing with Jon at the Laguna Mountain Lodge and General Store. Noon was the meeting time. We arrived twenty minutes early --- but Jon was already there enjoying a Coke and munching on a candy bar.
We brought with us some requested supplies to replenish Jon and we had lunch a local restaurant. Jon treated. Very nice! After lunch, it was time for Jon to head back to the trail. Our next meet-up would be Wednesday in Warner Springs.
I was getting antsy with the isolation of the Pio Pico RV Resort. After four days of no phone service and no data service, I was ready for a change of venue. I called Thousand Trails and secured three nights at Wilderness Lakes RV Resort in Menifee. So, on Saturday, St. Patrick's Day, we moved camp. It was an easy 94 mile day of travel. The weather was rainy in Jamul, but there was sunshine in Menifee. Because of the weekend, the park was full. But, we found a comfortable site. I even successfully backed the trailer in!
One of the nice things about the location of this park is that it is central to grocery stores, red box dispensing machines, and civilization. It also has full phone and data service! There is also daily pickleball play --- I was in heaven. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I played pickleball on Sunday and Monday. On the courts, there were several players that I knew from playing pickleball at Palm Springs Thousand Trails. Halfway through the second day, I played well --- with my old groove returning. It is amazing how quickly the lack of pickleball play can impact your game.
It was short visit to Wilderness Lakes, but a nice one. Tuesday morning, we packed up the dogs, the truck, and the travel trailer and drove the 68 miles to Palm Desert. Once again, my friend and private ranger, Linda Brockie, gave us some site suggestions. She even met us at the entrance! Her husband, Rick, is a wonderful cook. He recently bought some briskets, put them in a smoker, and was preparing pastrami for sandwiches later in the day. Can you say yummy!?!
I walked the dogs for about 30 minutes. It is hotter weather here. But, Ramsey, Kelsey, and Libby were happy to be back at this park. There are so many dogs and they enjoy all the smells --- as you walk up and down the rows of RVs. Jon gave Tom a list of additional supplies he needed for his hike --- a wishlist indeed! We picked up some of the items at the Walmart in Hemet. And, we found additional items at Dick's Sporting Goods store in Palm Desert. Upon the return to the RV park, I enjoyed a pastrami sandwich at Linda's and Rick's site. Rick hit a home run with the smoker and it was fun seeing Paulette and Larry Parks again.
On Wednesday, we drove up to Warner Springs to meet up with Jon. It was mile 110. Rain and bad weather was on the horizon. Jon decided to get off the Pacific Crest Trail for four nights. He made reservations at a lodge up in Idyllwild. After picking Jon up, we drove to Idyllwild and had lunch at the Mile High Cafe. We were joined by Pat and Bill Wheeler and Pam and Walt MacQueston. They live fairly nearby, in the Jojoba Hills RV Resort in Aguanda, California.
The Silver Pines Lodge in Idyllwild has a special room saved for long distance hikers. Jon was fortunate to get this room! The lodge is in a perfect location --- just a block from most of the town.
Tom, the dogs, and I spent about an hour with Jon in Idyllwild, before heading back to Palm Desert.
Thursday was "hair day." I had an appointment with Bunny at Lotus Salon. Bunny used to care for my hair when I was still full-timing in the 5th wheel. She took care of coloring and cutting my hair. Thank-you, Bunny! She is expecting child number 3 in August.
That evening, we went to Sam's Sushi in La Quinta to get our sushi fix. We had a great sushi chef named Sonny. Lobster roll, yellowtail, tuna, and eel... can't get any better!!!
While in Menifee, I called Kevin at Sundance Custom Mobile RV Service. Richard and I had used him in the past, and he is very reliable. I explained to Kevin that there seemed to be three travel trailer items that need to be fixed. In October 2016, I purchased a Good Sam extended warranty policy. And now, it is time to use it. An appointment was made for Friday, March 23. Kevin dropped by our site in the late afternoon. The air conditioner/furnace issue was solved by putting the fan on automatic. But, Kevin did note the leaking shower problem and the leaking water problem. The leaking water was due to a faulty city water connection.
Since we do not leave the Palm Desert area until Tuesday, April 3, Kevin thought these two items could be fixed in time for our departure.
Tom has been having problems with his right foot. It has been swollen and painful. After several days of ibuprofen and ice treatment, it was time to have it looked at by a doctor professional. Maybe gout???
MedPost Urgent Care in La Quinta is open on Saturday and takes appointments. Tom secured a 9:45 am appointment. I dropped him off, as I needed to go to Costco and cash my annual check. Clever that they make you cash it at a Costco! Of course, I picked up some items and the check covered most of the purchases. Tom texted me. He was ready to be picked up. Love the efficiency of MedPost! The doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug. The prescription was filled at CVS Pharmacy.
On Sunday, we headed back up to Idyllwild to pick Jon up and transport him back to Warner Springs. We had a nice breakfast at Mile High Cafe. The weather is good and Jon is ready to get back on the Pacific Crest Trail.
We won't see him again until he is on the desert floor --- crossing Interstate 10 at White Water near Cabazon. This will probably be Monday, April 2.
On Monday, I kept an appointment for the truck at the Coachella Valley GMC/Buick dealer. I made the appointment several days earlier. The two rear door locks are malfunctioning. They can only be unlocked manually. Monday afternoon, the service representative Raymond Garcia called to say that the door lock mechanisms need to be replaced. The parts were ordered and the truck spent the night at the dealership.
The truck was ready to pick-up Tuesday morning. As the weather was not too hot, I walked the one and one-half miles to the dealership.
Over a month ago, Ramsey got irritated in the travel trailer and broke some of the screen door. Tom decided that it was time to fix it. Using the local True Value Hardware store --- and a tool bought at the Indio Home Depot --- the screen was replaced. Nice job, Tom!
In preparation for the Colorado white water trip through the Grand Canyon in May, I ordered a number of required items through Amazon Prime. While UPS does deliver to Thousand Trails Palm Springs, another delivery option is using an Amazon Locker. The nearest locker is just down the street --- on Varner Road at the Chevron Station. There is a name for this Amazon Locker. It is Hudson. When an item is delivered to the locker, a text is sent with a specific code. When the code is entered on the locker screen, the door opens and the item is ready to be taken. Amazing!
On Wednesday, I decided it was time to take Tom on a field trip. I wanted to show him the preserve that is only eight miles away. It is the Coachella Valley Preserve. It is an oasis with water and old palm trees. The preserve is located on the San Andreas fault. The water comes from the ground crevasses formed under the fault line. Fortunately, it is not boiling hot and it does not smell of sulfer.
We visited the visitor center and then walked through the first oasis. It was recommended to walk the mile to McCallum Pond. I don't think I have ever visited the pond. And, there was a nice photo opportunity!
We walked over three miles total, as there was a scenic view up on a sand dune. Tom wanted to capture a picture of Mount San Gorgonio.
After our visit to the preserve, we drove further to Two Bunch Palms Resort in Desert Hot Springs. There is a nice restaurant called Essence. We had no reservation, but they were able to take us. The resort has been in existence for eighty years. Once again, another oasis setting!
Most of the resort guests take advantage of the renowned spa facility and are adorned in white terry cloth robes.
Tom has been having problems with his right foot. It has been swollen and painful. After several days of ibuprofen and ice treatment, it was time to have it looked at by a doctor professional. Maybe gout???
On Sunday, we headed back up to Idyllwild to pick Jon up and transport him back to Warner Springs. We had a nice breakfast at Mile High Cafe. The weather is good and Jon is ready to get back on the Pacific Crest Trail.
On Monday, I kept an appointment for the truck at the Coachella Valley GMC/Buick dealer. I made the appointment several days earlier. The two rear door locks are malfunctioning. They can only be unlocked manually. Monday afternoon, the service representative Raymond Garcia called to say that the door lock mechanisms need to be replaced. The parts were ordered and the truck spent the night at the dealership.
Over a month ago, Ramsey got irritated in the travel trailer and broke some of the screen door. Tom decided that it was time to fix it. Using the local True Value Hardware store --- and a tool bought at the Indio Home Depot --- the screen was replaced. Nice job, Tom!
After our visit to the preserve, we drove further to Two Bunch Palms Resort in Desert Hot Springs. There is a nice restaurant called Essence. We had no reservation, but they were able to take us. The resort has been in existence for eighty years. Once again, another oasis setting!
