Yuma, Day 5

Yesterday I travelled from Firebaugh, Oregon through California to Yuma Arizona.  At the beginning the road was so straight it felt like driving across Saskatchewan.  Agricultural work either side. Aquaducts.   The distance was 515 miles or 828 km.  A long drive.

The foothills were difficult with 10 lanes at places and down pouring rain obscuring visibility. I was doing 60 to 70 mph to stay with traffic.  

At Pasadena I took and exit to look for gas and a place to pee. Old man bladder. I couldn’t find either a fast station or toilet so peed discretely in a jar which I later discarded. I was able to think again and got back on the freeway to exit at a larger turn off.  I got gas and duct tape using this moment to duct tape the iPhone hands free stand to the dashboard. 

The rain let up and the sun shone in all it’s glory as we passed through Palm Springs and Dessert springs.  I like the windmills and solar panels farms. Seemed a bit sci fi.

I almost camped at the Salton Sea but thought I’d rather unpack once more for a few weeks break loading and unloading.

The sunset and full moon were magnificent. 

BW was sold out and 5 others hotels. I found a dog friendly room at Candlewood Suites, more than I’d normally pay  but beggars can’t be choosy.  It’s a magnificent suite with all the emanities .   I order Chinese fusion from Panda online with Dash using it for the first time and putting the same order in twice. Madigan was pleased to share. I was in bed early watching shame Chicago police drama, 

Now I’m up early and have walked the dog. I’ll wait to check out around noon so I can check in early at the Best Western.   I have to make contact with Madigan Paws baby sitter. That way I can make a trip to Mexico and see what the sister town in like and maybe get to the museum. I mostly want to lie outside in the sun

Thank you Jesus. Thank you for getting me to Yuma safely. Please help relieve the pain and heal the sciatica.   Thank you.

Medford,Oregon to Firebaugh, California, Day3, Yuma Trip.

We left the Motel 6 in Medford at 730. Iwanted to get over the 4300 feet Siskiyu Pass. It felt high. Traffic was sparse. We passed Ashland then drove over the summit. I was thankful. I learned the RV folk avoid this in winter by taking Hwy 20 by the coast.I’ll return  that way.

I loved the Rest Stops. We began seeing olives and great horticulture. Raches, cattle and sheep. I loved the aqueducts with all the green around them. Great crop growing. Huge scale. California rocks.

I almost camped it was so hot mid day but it began to cool down, we had Macdonalds sausage egger and later burgers. Madigan doesn’t like sausage but he ate all the burger.

Sitting was sore but stopping, getting out of the car to walkways excruciating, once I walked a bit it sometimes improved. Walking Madigan was a huge challenge. He was great.Sciatica sucks. 

We stopped at 430 at Firebaugh getting a room in the dog friendly Best Western. Apricot Inn. Lovely place. Great receptionist. Terrific room..

I was able to get some hot dogs for dinner.

Now I’m watching NCIS.

9 hours driving. 461 miles or 741 km. Beautiful foothills and great forests to brown grass plains interspersed with aquaduct farming.

The distance to Yuma is 822 km 7 hr and fifteen minutes.

I check in to Best Western on Tuesday so I’ll spend a day driving and a night, maybe camping before I check in in Yuma.

It’s been a long trip made longer by the chronic pain, sore driving the excruciating waking the dog and going to the rest area toilets and back to the car. 

It’s spiritual. Long drive. Beautiful scenery. Road trip.