Bakersfield, California: We left our family in Merced and continued south towards the Palm Springs area. Lisa left Grandma's house this morning and drove to her home to Los Angeles. Lisa was about 40 miles ahead (give or take) of us during our drive down Highway 99 today. We kept in-touch via cell phone. (Don't worry - Lisa is blue-toothed through the navigation/stereo system in her Lexus Hybrid for safe hands-free communication.)
We had an uneventful drive and decided to try a new RV park, suggested by Reader CW of San Luis Obispo, California. We most always stay at the Orange Grove RV Park, as it is an easy on/off Highway 58. Reader CW spoke so highly of the Bakersfield RV Resort, we had to check it out for ourownselves.
CW was right!
Guest reception at the Bakersfield RV Resort
Though the Orange Grove RV Resort is 15 miles closer to our destination tomorrow, the Bakersfield RV Resort offers a full-service resort with an on-site restaurant. The Bakersfield RV Resort does NOT offer orange trees laden with all the juicy fruit you can pick (free), as we have often enjoyed at The Orange Grove.
The Bakersfield RV Resort is pretty plush. I just love being in southern California in the winter and seeing blooming flowers and lush palm trees!
The Bakersfield RV Resort has a beautiful pool and spa - heated year-round. Don't forget, this photo was taken at the end of December!
The RV resort also has a very nice fitness center. I ran 2.62 miles on this treadmill (alone in the fitness center) until I noticed the security camera on the ceiling and realized that someone could be watching me jog, sing and could have possibly witnessed an occasional iPod-induced drum-solo. If that surveillance tape ever surfaces, I will deny everything.
Fitness Center
Typical sites at the Bakersfield RV Resort
The outdoor seating area at the on-site restaurant
At five o'clock, DT and I headed over to the restaurant and bar to have a cocktail and watch the Cal bowl game. Imagine our surprise when we were greeted by a hostess and seated at a nice table in a nearly-packed restaurant! The campground is only about twenty-percent full, so I asked our server about the clientele. Matthew told us the restaurant is popular with locals and campers alike. They have a lively Happy Hour with great prices and free snacks. Click here to see the menu. We had nice drinks and decent dinners while watching the game on big screen televisions. Everything is made in-house - including the salad dressings.
Who knew?
I leave you with a photo of the Magna Peregrinus because my friend, Jack, gets testy if he doesn't see her every few days.
Our plan tomorrow is to take a day off from exercise and make the very long drive to Indio. Until my next update, I remain, your "RV Park Happy Hour Happy" correspondent.RV Park: Bakersfield RV Resort. We have a full-service, 50-amp gravel pull-through site in "Big Rig Row". (It was "almost" long enough for our bus and car.) Free wifi, cable, fitness center, pool, spa, on-site restaurant, store, bath house, laundry, security, putting green and play ground. The campground is far enough from Highway 99 that there is little traffic noise, but it is next to a rail track. (No trains so far.) We paid $35.10 with Good Sam discount.