Thor Hurricane - Adventure South - Bakersfield - Orange Groves - Wed. Dec. 17, 2025

I arrived last night at 7 pm having left in the morning at 8 am. It was approximated 600 km or roughly 400 miles.   Larry and Peter break this stretch of the journey up with another night stop half way but I decided to go straight through . A bit of mistake since I try to avoid night driving and getting lost in the dark, both of which I eventually did. 

The trip out though was very pleasant. Long stretches of highway I broke up twice with sausage egg McMuffin at Macdonald’s.  So nice to have breakfast sitting at my table.  Normally I’d drive eating but am keeping both hands on the wheel as best I can.  I also stopped at MacDonalds around 2 pm for a quarter pounder with cheese and fries. In the morning he enjoyed the side of bacon and in the afternoon his normal burger patter.  He’s still quite anxious about the whole motorhome experience but settingling in beside me on the floor.

I’ve continued to listen to Dan Brown’s Secret of Secret and the intriguing notion of non local consciousness.  Considering I’ve long held to the idea of an energy grid it’s rather enjoyable to hear the spiritual versus the material source explanation. We often share either you’re a spiritual being having a material experience or a material being in a spiritual experience.  Of course at the quantum level it’s particle and energy.  Audio books do help the drive. I remember when for years I listened to medical podcasts rather than music or news. I certainly kept up with the advances that way, in Neurology, Psychiatry and Family Medicine.

At about 4 pm I stopped in search of an RV park advertised on the road signs but I didn’t find it in the town. I decided to carry on with the map which was set for here but I thought the disstance was only a half hour or so.  It turned out be be another 2 hours with a couple of hours of driving in darkness. The two lane highway was most difficult with the oncoming lights and glare. Then I was back on the freeway and only having difficulty not missing the turns.  I had to stop and back up a half car length at one point to make a turn onto the freeway I just about missed.  Overall everyone was accomodating.  The drivers were courteous.  I think they were but a lady had responded when I said that, you’re big enough to make them that way.  Perhaps

The best part was arriving here and the Office having envelopes with available sites left out.for those without reservations.  I had resisted worrying that there would be no spaces but it turned out to be a needless concern. It’s mid week and there’s lots of spaces.  The big season for snowbirds is Jan to April. With the Canadian dollar so weak I expect many tourists are staying home.  Everyone is friendly but with the dollar on 60 cents compared to the American even the lower costs of gas here is challenging. I bought groceries when I stopped for the burger and found the cost of food comparable with Canads but the money half the value.  Because I’m continuing to work the cost is offset but I don’t think I’d be able to do this on retirement income. I’m blessed really

I turned off Dan Brown when the night came on. I pray as I’m driving.  Mostly ‘all shall be well’ to ward off panic and despair.  I’m not alone and thankful for the company.  

Peter had told me it was in an Orange Grove and true enough I set up beside an orange tree.  I put out the slide and settled in. It’s warmer but I’m still dependent on the electric heaters and electric blankets.. The last two nights Ive been able to enjoy my home with sweater and socks watching episodes of the original NCIS I’d missed in the past.  

This morning I can see that the RV Park is in an agricultural area with orange trees as far as the eye can see besides us.  I had a delicious organge last night taken from the ground beside the tree I’ve parked beside.  It’s lovely this morning. Madigan already pooped on his walk.

I’m going to walk over to the office and sign in an perhaps stay another night or even two. I’m here early on Wednesday, 100 miles from LA and booked in at Hollywood RV Park for Friday. Today I’m hoping to get a mobile RV repair guy to come out and fix my furnace finally,

I will definitely stay another night to have a break from driving and enjoy this lovely sight.  Now Madigan can enjoy a longer walk to where we first came in.  I just boiled eggs for breakfast too. Toast and hard boiled eggs.  Another coffee would be good but first checking in so I can phone a repairman.

Thank you God. Thank you Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus.