The Road to Hell Was Paved Without Urination

We took a vote. Our trip from the Bakersfield area to Desert Hot Springs CA was the worst day of our fulltiming adventure so far. Worse than several torrential rains in Oregon, worse than boondocking next to an all night filling station in Eugene OR, worse than the army of boisterous banana slugs.

Allow me to explain.

We departed on our 242 mile journey with a half tank of fuel. Which should have lasted almost the entire trip. We figured to fill up after a while and take a break.

Started looking for fuel after an hour on the road. Then we climbed several mountains along I5 and the fuel gauge slipped down quickly.

We looked for diesel fuel along I5 and I210 for 74 miles. Took exits that yielded nothing. And you don’t just go anywhere with a 50’ long 12’ tall vehicle.

Coupled with these events was Bruce’s EEE…Extreme Excretory Emergency. “Gotta go, but can’t stop.” Which impeded rational thinking somewhat.

We finally took an exit in Arcadia, CA, searched in vain and came to rest at the entrance to the Santa Anita Racetrack. Can’t go no further without risking a breakdown in city traffic, maybe in an intersection! Bruce resolved his EEE. Whew! We waited over an hour for 5 gallons of petrol from the Ford emergency road service - blessed are they.

On to a truck stop Ontario, CA. After fueling up, we try for some lunch. Park in the trucking lot, since we can’t fit in the car lot. The lot gate ticket machine runs out of tickets and wouldn’t open. 18 wheelers lining up behind us. Stuck again. Bruce finds the manager, who says, “You can’t park in there.” No kidding. After another long wait at the broken ticket machine, we drive thru the lot and leave.

Now we’re 2 hours behind schedule on our 242 mi trip and arrive in SoCal traffic at the beginning of the rush hour(s). Bumper to bumper for 60 miles in the rain and failing light. Pass the last of the walnuts please.

Arrive at Sam’s Family Spa and Resort in the dark. Uh oh, the electrical service keeps going out. This can be fixed.

Time for dinner – all the restaurants are closed. Get out the spaghetti.

Next day, we see this beautiful park and setting. All is well again.



Bruce