Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Favorite new route from I-5 to Palm Springs, CA
In our quest to find the most pleasurable way to make it from I-5 South to Palm Springs we happened upon a route we had never tried before that has now now hit our "favorite" list. Our friend Garmin always wants to take us through the grapevine and over on the 210/10 combo. Not only is the traffic unpredictable, but the road quality is marginal as well...certainly not relaxing in any way. Last trip we tried Hwy 58 East, connecting to the 395 south and then the 215 down to the 10. The traffic was better than I-5 but the 395 was a bit of a two-lane nightmare with impatient truckers, RV's, and cars all trying to pass each other. The road quality was also just as bad if not worse than the 10. This time we took Hwy 58 East all the way to Barstow where we connected to the 247 South and then to the 62 South. Other than the 58 it was primarily 2-lane roads with very little traffic. Best of all it only took 20 minutes longer than the route our friend Garmin loves. The only hair on your knuckles portion is an 8% grade right before connecting to the 62...nothing a strong foot and exhaust or compression brake can't handle and certainly beats the downhill drama of the 215.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Orange Grove RV Park - Bakersfield, CA
Who wouldn't love the concept of an RV park in the middle of an orange grove where you can pick all of the oranges you want? On our southern trek to the desert, the Orange Grove RV Park is our favorite for night two of the trip. Located about 15 minutes East of Bakersfield, this small oasis makes for a perfect stopping point and is a great location if you prefer the HWY 58 routes to the desert as opposed to fighting with LA traffic. Definitely plan on calling for a reservation here as the night we arrived even the overflow lot was full....VERY glad we called ahead.
Setting 4 This place gets extra bonus points for uniqueness. The office loans you orange pickers and even has bags so you can pick whatever you like. About 1/3 of the park on the North end is for long term residents while the remainder is for shorter stays. There certainly is not privacy, and the lots are gravel, so you should probably look elsewhere if that is a concern. We absolutely love the feel of the place.
Amenities 3 Take a look at the hookup picture below. Everything functions, but the sewer hookup is a bit on nasty side...it has a t-joint and you had better make sure the cap on the t that you are not using is on tight. We started dumping our grey and noticed bubbles and water seeping out of the other t. Were were very happy we weren't dumping our black tank at the time. Very generous cable channels...WIFI typical for a park like this where an access code is required. Bathrooms were clean, but minimal services. The office has RV supplies and some groceries. Of course the orange pickers were a huge bonus. There are not restaurants or grocery stores nearby so make sure and come prepared with what you need for the stay.
Accessibility 3.5 The park is directly south of Highway 58. The approach could not be easier. There are some sites that are difficult to access so make sure the office knows the exact size of your coach and tow car so you don't run into a surprise "back up" situation. Some of the sites are a bit uneven but all seemed to be manageable.
Friendliness 5 Both the park employees and residents were extremely friendly. As most residents are only at the park for a night it is fun to walk around and find out where everyone is going and coming from.
Setting 4 This place gets extra bonus points for uniqueness. The office loans you orange pickers and even has bags so you can pick whatever you like. About 1/3 of the park on the North end is for long term residents while the remainder is for shorter stays. There certainly is not privacy, and the lots are gravel, so you should probably look elsewhere if that is a concern. We absolutely love the feel of the place.
Amenities 3 Take a look at the hookup picture below. Everything functions, but the sewer hookup is a bit on nasty side...it has a t-joint and you had better make sure the cap on the t that you are not using is on tight. We started dumping our grey and noticed bubbles and water seeping out of the other t. Were were very happy we weren't dumping our black tank at the time. Very generous cable channels...WIFI typical for a park like this where an access code is required. Bathrooms were clean, but minimal services. The office has RV supplies and some groceries. Of course the orange pickers were a huge bonus. There are not restaurants or grocery stores nearby so make sure and come prepared with what you need for the stay.
Accessibility 3.5 The park is directly south of Highway 58. The approach could not be easier. There are some sites that are difficult to access so make sure the office knows the exact size of your coach and tow car so you don't run into a surprise "back up" situation. Some of the sites are a bit uneven but all seemed to be manageable.
Friendliness 5 Both the park employees and residents were extremely friendly. As most residents are only at the park for a night it is fun to walk around and find out where everyone is going and coming from.
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| View down on of the lanes of the park |
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| Our rig and tow in our spot for the night |
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| Front view of the site |
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| Yes...really surrounded by an orange grove |
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| Another view of our site and neighbors |
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| Bathroom area |
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| Hookups at site |
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| One of 3 showers...plenty of privacy |
Monday, March 4, 2013
Durango RV Resort - Red Bluff, CA
Traveling from the mid-Willamette Valley in Oregon, the Redding/Red Bluff, California, region is generally our first overnight on the way to the desert. It is about a 5-6 hour drive which is really all we care to put in on any given day...when we have a choice of course. Durango RV Resort is literally on the edge of I-5 and the Sacramento river in Red Bluff and is a nice place to crash, refresh and take a first dose of California sunshine for those of us with web feet.
Setting 3.5 Of course I would boost this rating if being right on I-5 was THE most important aspect....but unfortunately being right on I-5 does come with the usual traffic noise, and with Durango, also a nearby train track. Of course like any urban RV park, these things are expected. What does boost this rating for us is the gorgeous view of the river....which includes a short walking path. There is nothing more relaxing that sitting next to the ocean or a nice river and stream and that boosted our rating of the "setting".
Amenities 4.5 With our coach at 39 feet and with pulling a toad...having a pull thru that is wide and long is always appreciated for parks that are one night stops. This place has tremendous hookups that are positioned in exactly the right place, a huge cable channel selection, meticulous cleanliness and landscaping, a welcoming front office with supplies and some groceries, and a clubhouse/lounge that has the feel of a ski lodge. Everything felt brand new and spotless. The only downside is the lame exercise room that was clearly an afterthought and has two exercise machines, no weight machine, no free weights or space to really exercise.
Accessibility 5 Just a 1 minute drive off I-5, easily accessible by any size rig. Spaces were all wide and able to accommodate anyone.
Friendliness 5 From the front desk check in, to the employee that guided us to our site, to the friendly and outgoing residents that we encountered...this place couldn't have done more to be warm and welcoming. Always appreciated after a long day's drive.
For a quick dinner....take a quick walk to Luigi's Pizza. Recommend getting the slice and salad combo...the antipasto salad is almost big enough for a meal and the pizza is outstanding.
Setting 3.5 Of course I would boost this rating if being right on I-5 was THE most important aspect....but unfortunately being right on I-5 does come with the usual traffic noise, and with Durango, also a nearby train track. Of course like any urban RV park, these things are expected. What does boost this rating for us is the gorgeous view of the river....which includes a short walking path. There is nothing more relaxing that sitting next to the ocean or a nice river and stream and that boosted our rating of the "setting".
Amenities 4.5 With our coach at 39 feet and with pulling a toad...having a pull thru that is wide and long is always appreciated for parks that are one night stops. This place has tremendous hookups that are positioned in exactly the right place, a huge cable channel selection, meticulous cleanliness and landscaping, a welcoming front office with supplies and some groceries, and a clubhouse/lounge that has the feel of a ski lodge. Everything felt brand new and spotless. The only downside is the lame exercise room that was clearly an afterthought and has two exercise machines, no weight machine, no free weights or space to really exercise.
Accessibility 5 Just a 1 minute drive off I-5, easily accessible by any size rig. Spaces were all wide and able to accommodate anyone.
Friendliness 5 From the front desk check in, to the employee that guided us to our site, to the friendly and outgoing residents that we encountered...this place couldn't have done more to be warm and welcoming. Always appreciated after a long day's drive.
For a quick dinner....take a quick walk to Luigi's Pizza. Recommend getting the slice and salad combo...the antipasto salad is almost big enough for a meal and the pizza is outstanding.
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| Riverfront Site on Sacramento River |
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| View of sites from river area |
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| Clubhouse area with warm inviting fire |
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| Another view of sites |
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| Utility hookups. GREAT water pressure as well. |
Sunday, March 3, 2013
To the Desert
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