Bakersfield/LA/Coachella Valley

Monday, November 2, 2015

Neglecting my notes for several weeks, I have much to apprise, impart, and describe, concerning our recent experiences. My primary objective is to maintain a journal of our experiences, for later reference and recall, as our memories are (increasingly) unreliable.

Spending a week with Bobbie was so much fun and she certainly welcomed us with her enormous hospitality. We appreciated the RV hook-up, right at Bobbie’s house and the dogs enjoyed the nice green fenced-in lawn.

Another great treat in Bakersfield was visiting with Bobbie’s family and Terry’s sister Michelle and her family, from over in Maricopa. We enjoyed a superior “Brunch” at the Buck Owens Crystal Palace and a distinctive dinner at the Wool Growers Restaurant in the old downtown Bakersfield. Another constant amusement at Bobbie’s “Crump 3-C Ranch” was “Chipper” her new Maltese/Pomeranian (just over 1 pound) puppy. During our week at Bakersfield, we shopped and explored around Bakersfield and Kern County, enjoying an exciting, informative and relaxing visit.

Departing Bakersfield, we headed south on CA 99 to I-5 and then traveled the “grapevine” over historic Tejon Pass, along the old El Camino Real, California’s first major road. Crossing the Tehachapi Mountains, we drove down to Los Angeles and then headed east to Loma Linda in the Redlands area, for a nice, quiet RV site. The Costco fuel pumps were so busy that we decided to wait for another Sam’s Club or Costco, and they are frequent along I-10. Our membership in both clubs (Us at Costco and Bud at Sam’s) is very beneficial to us, especially the fuel service.

On Sunday, we journeyed to Palm Springs and found a cozy RV Resort, conveniently situated in the downtown area. We enjoyed rambling around Palm Springs in the cool night air, exploring the attractions of this Resort Oasis, in the Coachella Valley. We learned that the Coachella Valley is a collection of nine distinctive cities, offering an unparalleled sense of escape, adventure, and relaxation, in the warm, sunny climate, during the winter months. It is a fabulous winter resort. The “snow birds” are flocking-in and we will be helping to take their money this winter, at the Lake Cahuilla Regional Park, in La Quinta.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Having completed our first week at Cahuilla County Park, we have already discovered numerous interesting aspects of the park and the Coachella Valley. Our associate park personnel and fellow-hosts are very friendly and helpful and make a very enjoyable work-team. We are fortunate in joining terrific people in all our camp-host assignments. The Cahuilla County Park is located several miles south of La Quinta and adjacent to the PGA West complex, so we are surrounded by some elite neighborhoods. This area of the valley has gated, walled subdivisions with beautiful homes and landscaping. Horses are popular and many developments have horse paddocks, stables, and riding trails. The landscaping must represent $billions and it’s well maintained by teams of people. The gardeners are constantly trimming and pruning trees commercial contractors use powerful shredders to grind the debris. We find it amusing when driving behind a truck that’s hauling Eucalyptus mulch, because it’s trailing a potpourri.

The lake is stocked with fish and is a very attractive sports and recreation area, including the wildlife. We have lots of birds, and a variety of mammals. My favorite observations and sightings include ducks, hummingbirds, White Pelicans, hawks, Osprey, Desert Bighorn Sheep, and Coyotes. The lake is part of the Coachella Valley Water District, fed mainly by the Colorado River Aqueduct. The river water is the life-blood of the desert-valley and it feeds $billions of landscaping and agriculture.

The Riverside Sherriff’s Department operates a pistol range on the north side of the park but surprisingly, that does not seem to affect the wildlife. Like Las Vegas, the Coachella Valley can experience occasional high winds, so it’s prudent to watch the weather and pick-up your outdoor furnishings, before the wind blows them away. High winds also carry dust and sand that are a nuisance, for example, having left my truck windows partially open overnight, for ventilation, precipitated a laborious interior clean-up. Below sea-level, we experience 40-50 degree temperature changes over-night, so we wear tee-shirts during the day and jackets at night. This is an ideal winter climate!

Around the Coachella Valley, we have abundant shopping, dining, entertainment, and attractions fulfilling any needs that we may have. We realize now that this is an elite winter playground for the “rich and famous”. We’re also impressed with the lavish, very expensive properties that are only used in the winter months. Our country (and Canada) has loads of wealthy people who come here for the winter!

We’re also discovering some opportunities, providing new experiences for us. For example, Empire Polo Club, Equestrian Park, Date Gardens, Desert Ice Castle, Desert Hot Springs, Sports Bars for watching college football, and casinos for entertainment and attractions.

We have adopted St. Francis of Assisi as our Coachella Valley Church. It literally abuts the Santa Rosa Mountains, with a beautiful facility and landscape. It’s an enormous Catholic Church, serving the La Quinta community but maintains a warm, friendly, small-town atmosphere. The church offers frequent programs for newcomers to get more involved and enjoy the church family.