19.01.01-13 On the Road again McMinnville to San Diego

I was so sad to leave McMinnville, that I did NOT leave on Jan 1 after my monthly rent ran out at the RV park.  Instead, I packed up and drove 1/2 mile to the parking lot of Evergreen Aviation Museum 

which is a very large property next door to the RV park where I've been walking for fresh air and exercise regularly since I moved in on November 1.  I've often noticed RV's parked in the back lot, with some of the aviation pieces, so I knew it would be OK to park there for just one night on New Year's Day.

One reason to stay an extra night in town was I did not like the idea of driving on Jan 1.  Another reason was to have a proper goodbye with the kids since I did not want to do THAT last night at the end of New Year's Eve.  They were taking Sergio to the Portland airport when I dropped in for one more Mateo hug.

Finally, on the morning of Jan 2, it was time to drive away from a really nice place, and from my family in Oregon and head south to my next adventure.

I like to drive no more than 200 miles during any driving day - that is a comfortable time and distance max,  which leaves time for a relaxing lunch or a walking break or errands along the way.

My committments and visitation choices were a consideration when planning my overnight stops.   I need to be in San Diego north county on Sunday, Jan 13, and I want to attend a PEO meeting on Jan 8 with my good sisters/friends in Auburn, so here is what my travel logistics planning came up with:

Day 1: 224 miles to Grants Pass.  I parked in a WalMart parking lot and connected with Guy for dinner.

Guy is a camp host friend who I met camp hosting at South Beach State Park this past October when we were both neighbors of Linda and Rory.....

Day 2:  172 miles from Grants Pass to Redding.

     Along the way I stopped first in Yreka, just over the California line because MT's registration was due and paid in October, but I needed a smog, and could not do that in Oregon.  I got the proof of SMOG in Yreka and the tags will come in the mail to me in Carlsbad.
    My next stop was in Mt Shasta where I had a DMV appointment 

so I could get a replacement driver's licence.  It was a piece of cake going in to a small DMV office in a small town with an appointment - I had my temporary license and was on my way in less than 30 minutes..Yeah!  

That left enough time to drive the rest of the way to Redding before DRK and take a sunset walk along the Sacramento River.  

Tonight I parked and slept in a Lowe's parking lot in Redding.  I was a little worried I would get scooted along, since when I called Walmart to ask permission, they said the city does not allow overnight parking in their lot.  I parked alone on the center of the parking lot and luckily the only bother I had during the night was a very loud street sweeper cleaning the empty parking lot in the middle of the night.

Day 3: 175 miles from Redding to Thunder Valley parking lot.  Mike and I stayed here numerous times when we were passing through and I have stayed there alone since he left a couple times.  It is a  really comfortable  lodging spot. Lots of big rig trucks and other RV'ers stay in the back lot and receive shuttle service to the casino, with no charge to park overnight.  I like to walk the perimeter of the entire casino property - is is big like the Evergreen Aviation Museum and an interesting walk.  I went into the the casino after my walk to people watch and do some communication.

Day 4: All done traveling for the first half of my journey, I will be in my home base area for the next 4 or maybe 5 nights.  Today I left MT at Thunder Valley and went to the Roseville Public Pool 

for exercise and a shower before heading up to Lake of the Pines area to spend the night with Dollie and Richard.

Day 5:  I went to Sierra Pines for Sunday morning services, and got enlisted to sing in the choir with Dollie and Richard.  It was great to see the church family once again.  Later, I drove to Citrus Heights and spent the night with Laurie and Bob.

Day 6:  I moved MT from Thunder Valley to the truck service station where I submitted my well-running vehicle for routine maintenance because I want it to continue to be well running.  This time I went in for a transmission service and asked for their opinion on my tires.   Then I drove to Sacramento where I had a pleasant evening at Connie's house.  She cooked dinner and also invited Steve, Terri and Chiara, their exchange student for a nice family gathering. 

Day 7:  Tonight was the PEO meeting in the evening - I was lucky to capture half the room without making a big ordeal over a group photo -

and I spent the night with Marian and Robert.  It was really good to connect with all these friends.

Day 8:  The requested opinion on my tires came back - they are almost eight years old and need to be replaced.  I'd like to argue, but realize it would be just postponing the inevitable, and in this case, a purchase delay could be way more expensive if something bad happened while driving......  So I did some tire research and successfully arranged for an install tomorrow at the store that had my tires in stock.  Gratefully I had one day of driving flexibility - so it is being used right here in home base, leaving me with an opportunity to spend the night with Kelly, Jim and Glenda.

Day 9:  I left early from Rocklin to pick up MT from the engine repair shop ( transmission successfully serviced) and moved him to the tire shop where he got dressed with six new tires in time for me to drive 171 miles to San Jose and arrive just before dark.  I parked MT along the curb near Tom and Pat’s house and spent a pleasant evening - including a delicious dinner/dessert - with them. 

Day 10:  A had a leisurely morning and picked up another juicy bag of lemons 

from their back yard tree before continuing on the 2nd leg of my journey south.  I'm getting lucky with no rain even though it was in the forecast, and had an uneventful 163 mile drive to Atascadero where I like to stop for an overnight at the Elks Lodge RV lot.  Tonight after a Starbucks computer session, I went to a nearby cider house that I researched had live music. The place was filled with 20-somethings, and this couple, Pat and Bob, invited me to join them at their table for some pleasant conversation 

Day 11:  Today I had a 160 mile drive south on 101 from Atascadero to Camarillo.  Along the way I stopped in Santa Maria because I needed gas, which is a fairly big ordeal for me. I research for good price, then scout the station to see if I can get in with the Jeep in tow. This time the answer was no, so I disconnected the Jeep, parked it in a mall parking lot, then drove MT to the station for a 65 gallon fill. Ouch!
After this extra long break for gas, I drove through intermittent light rain ( the first rain of my entire trip while driving) and stopped for the night to visit with Roger and Michal

who are making good progress on a kitchen remodel. 

Day 12 -  I drove the last leg of my journey -150 miles through Los Angeles which is never fun - I get psyched up, pick a lane and stay in it as best I can. I had no issues, but drove with no audio stimulation so I could really focus on the road. Stressful!  I stopped in Orange County at a big box parking lot I spotted from the highway 

and took an hour lunch break to settle down before driving the last hour to my reserved spot in north county San Diego. 

I was pulling in right at sunset.  I’m so happy to be back in my home and settled in one spot again!