Bakersfield, California: The past four days have been a whirlwind of activity. Though we went to Los Angeles for a just quick weekend, we ended up not driving back to Indio until Monday afternoon - giving us one day less to prep for our departure today.
So much to organize.

Notice both satellite dishes are deployed on the roof? We have suspended our cable wifi for the season and have switched back our (much slower) satellite internet for the summer.



We made a few trips to Tacos Gonzalez.

We did not leave early this morning. The best-laid plans often go astray. Our plan was upset due to a tire issue on the Jeep.
Last night, as we drove to dinner, the Jeep beeped with a low-tire warning. Hmmm. It was a bit dark and DT could not see damage/nail to the tire. When we arrived home after dinner, he found a flashlight and the air compressor. There was a screw in the tire. A very large screw. Dave put air in the tire.
It held overnight, but I drove to the tire shop first thing this morning. Less than 1/4-mile from our campsite, the low-tire warning beeped again. Dang. At the tire shop, it was determined the screw was too close to the rim to be repaired and we would need a new tire. Dang. $25 repair v $250 tire replacement/balancing. The shop had the tire, so it was a no-brainer. In the end, I was away less than one hour.

Casita locked up. Screens down. Satellite dishes down. Coach disconnected from life-support systems. Slide rooms retracted. One last gaze down the beautiful canal.



I would like to report that our drive was uneventful, but it was not a fun day of driving. (Well, I was fine... working on the Friday New York Times crossword puzzle and playing Words With Friends on my phone.) Dave had such a terrible time fighting strong winds nearly all day!
Instead of our usual route, we decided to go cross-country with a route up Route 62 to 247 and then east on Highway 58. The gorgeous desert colors nearly made-up for the awful wind - the Brittlebush were glorious amid the Joshua trees.
We stopped for fuel in Tehachapi. DT instantly regretted his shorts-and-golf-shirt apparel decision this morning. It was 53° and the wind was blowing 30mph. Not a fun pit stop. Plus, with the wind, we were getting only about 7 miles per gallon. Ouch.
We sailed down the mountain into the San Joaquin Valley and are camped for the night at the Orange Grove RV Park. We haven't stayed here for years, but Mary and Captain Jim camped here two nights ago and reminded us of this convenient little stop-over.




tomatoes harvested from my garden in Indio this morning.
On a personal note: We are happy to welcome another beautiful child into our Family of Friends. Kathy and Woody's eldest delivered a healthy daughter yesterday in England - Isla Rae (pronounced Eye-lah, and Rae for Woody's father, Ray). Isla joins her parents, Kelsey and Brian, and her 4-year-old sister, Ailise. Congratulations! There is nothing like a baby girl.
Until my next update, I remain, your traveling correspondent.
RV Park: Orange Grove RV Park. Large pull-through and back-in full-service sites. 50 amp. Laundry, free wifi, fitness center, large rally function room, store, ice, propane. Close to Highway 58, but really quiet. All the free oranges you want (in season). We paid $43 with a Good Sam discount.