We moved today.....

Our Location: South Entrance, BLM Joshua Tree National Park

After a loudish night we decided to pull up feet and head out for quieter pastures. The day time noises weren't bothersome but the night time ones were very much so. 

On our drive toward the Badlands this morning.

 

Some spectacular views.

We first took a drive out to the Badlands where we thought we might like to park just to ensure we could find a spot. Sure enough we found a couple and headed back to the Igloo to hook up. We were thinking it would only be a short drive to the Badlands and weren't in any hurry. 

It sure is pretty out here.

After pulling in and starting to put the feet down we realized just how cold the wind actually was up there. We changed our minds, opting for Joshua Tree National Park instead. We stopped at the Red Earth Casino on CA86 to dump our tanks. The wait was long as it seemed everyone was using this spot instead of the one a bit further down at the entrance to the Parkway. No problem we waited our turn and headed out. 

In the lower down area of the Badlands they were wall to wall to wall to wall.

To wall to wall to wall.

We arrived at Joshua Tree National Park late in the day for us to be arriving. It was 3:30 pm and we still had to find a place, set up and do all those things before dark which would be around 4:45 pm. We managed to find a spot to park the Igloo, but found it very difficult to get level. We eventually moved a bit and within 5 minutes were level and setting up but are now much further out in front of another rig than I'd like to be, but we did ask if he minded and he assured he didn't. 

 

They were tucked up against the hills, in the open flat, way out as far as the eye could see.

In the background you can see the dust. As we drove along you could see the dust cloud hanging over the desert.

We are debating about how long we want to stay here but for now we're going to spend at least a couple of days here. We have a few errands in Indio and we want to visit Janet as well. So we shall see how things go. 

It was like a city down there in the low area of the Badlands.

That's it, our long day but short blog. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

And also along CA 86 they were packed in like fish in a barrel.

Until next time.. take care, be safe, 

Deb

Note to myself: Jason and Leah have arrived in Fernie, BC, Canada last night. They are too early to check into their rental unit until Dec 31 in the late afternoon.

Met Jake from KalTire today.....

Our Location: ONRoute, Port Hope, Ontario

 

(April 18, 2018 post)

 

A quick post today. We were up early, cold in Hamilton but the sun looked like it might shine for a while and that seemed to boost the temperature a bit. 

 

Search and rescue plane flying the shore line of Lake Ontario as we leave Hamilton.

 

We had a dentist appointment at 10:40 am where we once again managed to get a little chat time in with Marianne and Lisa. The lovely ladies at the front desk. Always a treat to see their smiling faces and sparkling eyes. Thanks ladies for all the giggles!! See you in the fall. 

 

Heading up the Burlington Skyway with Lake Ontario on the right. That lighthouse marks the entrance to the harbour where all the freighters go to load and unload their goodies. 

 From there we once again headed back to Walmart, hooked up and were heading off toward Roseneath, Ontario, about 100 miles/160 km farther east. Climbed onto the QEW, 427, then to the 401 where we continued on to the ONRoute located just WEST of Port Hope. Pulled in to check the tires as I didn't like the feel of the way it pulled. Found another spot that scared me so once again I decided to err on the side of safety. Called CAA, went through the whole crap thing again, finally they agreed to send KalTire from Peterborough to help us out. Wait time 3 to 4 hours, but ended up being 5 hours as they sent him to the WRONG ONRoute about 40 minutes PAST us, so he had to come back.  

Lake Ontario looks so very cold doesn't it?

 

Jake was fabulous. He discovered two leaky valve stems were the cause of today's issues. Neither he nor I can figure out why no one caught that at the other ONRoute or the Tire place in Hamilton. Jake and I had a bit of a discussion about what I should do. Since we will be sitting for the next couple of weeks I feel confident that I have time to make some reasonable plans without feeling pressured in a hurry up decision. So when we leave Buttercup Ridge will be heading through Peterborough on our way northwards and will stop at KalTire to have them replace 2 but probably 3 tires before we head out. I'll keep ya posted. 

 

Just past the Ford Plant in Oakville and topping the rise heading into Mississauga. That is a continuous skyline all around the top end of Lake Ontario as far as we can see. Off to the right but not in the picture is the CNN Tower in Toronto.

The night wasn't too bad, a bit chilly to begin but once under the covers we all  managed just fine. I even managed to get a couple of miles of walking in waiting for the service truck to arrive. Jake arrived just around 9 pm and left about 10:30 pm. So it was a bit cool standing outside but not too bad. 

 

We have reached Etobicoke but not Toronto yet...lots of traffic and it's right around 1 pm, long time before evening rush hour. Toronto is just busy all the time now.

 

So there you have it, we were less than an hour from out destination but didn't want to arrive in the dark and I think we made the best choice. 

 

Kind of quiet here on this part of the route, not much snow here.

 

Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed the visit. Feel free to comment if you like, or not. Either one is fine. 

 

Heading along on the 427 North we pass close to Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Lots of planes.

 

Until next time... take care, be safe

 

I can see those folks all shivering up there as they come home from the sunny, warm south.

 

Deb