NOW ON THE LEFT COAST

Cannot imagine making this trip by covered wagon with more adverse circumstances than we endured.  We've been on the road for a week with today, January 5th, being the 8th day of travel.  After a good night's sleep we leave Tempe, Arizona at 9:20 a.m.  Not such an early start because I made a grocery run before departing so we can eat lunch on the road.

OH!  The Holiday Inn we stayed in Tempe, we slept in the only room they had available.  Which happened to be the suite Bob Hope stayed in November 1978 ~ that according to the brass plaque on the door outside.

The giant cactus looks majestic and thriving in the dry, sandy soil of the Arizona desert.  Even tho we have encountered troubles during our trip can honestly say I'm still glad we drove instead of flying.  And what a great experience for our son.

Arrived in southern California 1 p.m. mountain time, 3 p.m. eastern, but our new life's time is 12 noon Pacific time.  Rain greeted us at the California border as did a different land appearance.  The desert and cactus stopped once we crossed the Colorado River.  We are, however, still surrounded by mountains as we continue our journey to our new home in northern California.

A couple misnomers I've encountered during this trip: 

1) I've often used the phrase "...for all the cows in Texas".  Well I only saw 3 cows from the highway in Texas but saw hundreds just as we entered into New Mexico.

2) "It never rains in Southern, California (the song)".  It was pouring as we entered California and the river was rushing through its concrete runoff.  Remember the old show CHiPs (California Highway Police)?  Here's a picture of the real deal riding in the rain.

Near Thousand Palms, CA we stopped for gas and Greg picked a few oranges off an abundant orange trees nearby.  They sure were finger licking good and freshly picked fruit.

We hit just over 3,000 miles on our journey at 4:50 p.m. in the heart of Los Angeles (City of Angels).  Seems everyone and their brother has left work and travelling home.  We are too but San Ramon is still some 397 miles away and traffic jams all over the freeway.  Finally at 5:05 we got to 5 North to head toward northern California when we heard a news bulletin reporting route 5 to Bakersfield was closed due to a snow storm.  The higher elevated areas are getting snow while it is rain here.  Seems the entire trip has been a test of our perseverance and sanity.

Since route 5 to Bakersfield was closed we spent the night just outside Magic Mountain.  Gary and I ordered prime rib which was tough as leather so neither of us ate it all, thankfully the salad was delicious.  So Misty had a prime rib meal too and Pyewacket had her standard fare.

Still on our way to our new home.  Stay tuned.

Saundra

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