Heading South in 2010

Time to load up and head to the warmth and sun of the Southwest. After waiting an extra day to get a FedEx package that contained my repacement DVD/CD player for the trailer, we fried up the pickup and started up Hwy 58. 3 hours later we were in Klamath Falls and aprked in front of our son's home. The next morning, bright and not so early, we started on our "pilgrimage" south. Leaving KF and traveling south on 139, then US395 to Reno. Fair skies and dry roads were in front of us. We arrived in the Reno area about 3pm, turned east on I-80 to Fallon and then south on 95. Highway 95 is one of those two lane hoghways that bisect our country north to south. The real way to see this great land is to get off the freeways and onto the two lanes. There are not many communities from Fallon to Las Vegas, so you need to be aware of your fuel and food situation. We were ok on both because we carry our "house" with us and it has plenty of food.

The fuel situation was made easier this year, because a good friend of mine helped me obtain a fueling card. It is like a credit card but it lets you buy fuel at the comercial fueling places. Along with the card came a book the size of the small phone book that shows what towns have these fueling facilities and where they are located. Another great feature is that because these places cater to commercial vehicles, there is plenty of room for a pickup and trailer. I have had my share of gas stations with crowded pump areas and tight turns complicated by quick marts and car washes. The frosting on the cake is that the fuel price I pay is going to be less than the "street" rate at the location. I will let you know how I like the service for the long run.

As we drove south on 95, darkness fell and it was time to find a place to spend night. Ah, here comes Hawthorne, NV. It's claim to fame is that is it the home of the Army Ordinance Depot. The entire area is filled with almost under ground storage areas filled with who knows what. After spending the night parked next to an idling semi (great white noise), we grabbed a quick breakfast and hit the road. There was a truckload of interesting vehicles at the fueling station. I would have liked to find out their story.

The next morning dawned clear and cool ( in the 40's). After grabbing a quick breakfast at a nearby McDonalds, we left H and headed south on 95 toward Tonapah. T is at 6100 feet so you climb up to it going in both directions. Some snow on the ground under a cactus which gives a great picture. A nice smooth sunny drive with the warm sun shining through the windshield. Evening came and as we approached Bullhead City. After descending the several miles to get down to the river, we crossed the Colorado and turned left into Davis Camp. It is a county park located on the river and a welcome place to stop for the night. R parents had spent the winter in this park about twenty years ago when they first came down here. We set up and spent several hours rearranging the canned goods and dishes that had bounced around on our trip down (especially that one nasty railroad crossing in northern California).

The next morning, we got going in a rather relaxed fashion, (after showers, etc.) and arrived in Quartzsite about 4pm. We paid our fee at the BLM check-in station ( $80 for 4 weeks) and by 5pm we were set up next to our friends out on the desert.