I will get to Sunday later. If I feel like it.
It’s Monday morning. Port of Call: Visalia, CA. Ok, no port. No water. It’s hot, dry and cheerless. We are on our way to Joshua Tree Natl Forest. We stopped here last night to overnite. Barely saw Dad, he was in bed when we got in at 1130 and he usually rises at 830. We were leaving at 730 so we figured not. But, to surprise all he got up early to say hi. I helped him dress, he has lots of physical issues that make daily life difficult. Like not being able to dress himself easily.
We did not stay long after he got up. We are on a timeline to get to Joshua. Michael invited himself along so we are meeting him early this afternoon.
So we got on the road. Supposed to be a nine hour drive but there are ads on a like gas stops and potty breaks which do add time. Our first stop was Starbucks 5 min from the house. Hot bev and a bag of coffee I could not grind at home cuz power out.
This will be a long desolate drive through the high desert of CA. I like the southern Sierra’s. Lots lakes and rivers but looks moonscapey. There is actually a lot of hunting and fishing opportunities and camping and hiking too. Most people avoid it I think unless they are going to Mammoth Lake. When Michael was young we took several backpacking trips through here. Now it’s Marikas turn. And mine again.
We have stopped for gas twice. Once or twice for bathroom. Making ok time. Currently we are 10 miles south of Boron on 395. Looking for the eastern connection to Joshua. Trailer has behaved well, bottomed our once in a gas station. The trailer is much more agile and easy at freeway speeds. Going slow causes the hitch to jump a lot and make a racket which can be unsettling. We deal.
Sunday. Yesterday. I don’t really feel like it. Marika spent the night out, she was drunk, did not get home till ten. Has to work at noon. We did not spend too much time together.
I spent most of the day waiting for Emily, due home from Vegas Gaga thing by 3. Also, got fully packed for our trip. Stocked the trailer up and made sure I had what we will need. This took too almost 3 to accomplish. Power is out so I can’t do any cleaning without water or power. I put things away. I retired the cords they the kitchen window. Doing so helped me shut the front door. Was too cold.
Emily got in on time but there was a freeway fire on a connector and it took her two hours to get home. And she was in a foul mood. With a migraine. Great. Marika got home an hour after she left work. She stopped at the gym for a shower. They have water and power.
We finished packing while Emily unpacked. Then I decided to take Em out to dinner since her mood can’t get any worse. I am sure she will be better tomorrow.
Dinner was nice, for fast food Mexicano. But nice to sit for a bit and talk about what’s up. We moved quick so as to be home before dark. No light causes problems. We did get home, Em went in the house, we said our goodbyes, walked down the hill, hooked up the trailer and headed to Visalia.
We are back to high desert Monday. Going light by traffic light through Apple City, which appears a surprisingly nice place. I won’t be moving here anytime soon.
We are back to hiway speed, moving quickly through the desert country side. Anticipation is running high. We hope it’s well placed.
Ok. Confession time. It’s late Thursday and I’m back. I really can’t remember what I did on the balance of Monday.
We finished out our drive to Joshua Tree. Met up with Michael. We all went to Twenty Nine Palms for supplies. Then back to camp, dinner, a few hands of deuces and off to bed for me. Those two crazy kids stayed up to drink and talk. You can understand why I went to bed.