Thursday, December 29, 2011

Gadabout Artist Day: 11 Camping in an Orange Grove...

Very short post this morning, as yesterday was a rather uneventful straight drive south along I-5. We stayed the night at an incredibly crowded rest area. Rigs pulled in and out all night long, it was NOT a restful night. We got up early and really just drove. I have nothing against they state of California, but I have to say, we got a bit spoiled in Oregon, they are so well set up for campers and RV's. Such reasonable prices for full hook-ups, it seemed ridiculous not to make use of them. Here in California, the parks are few and far between, and when you do get there, they want $40-$50 just to stop your rig, no water, no sewer, no electricity...
That being said, we drove quite a ways yesterday, south to Bakersfield, then swinging east on 58. Not too far out of Bakersfield, we started seeing signs for the "Orange Grove RV Park". We had heard of this place from a cousin and decided to stop and check it out.
We first stopped next door at the California Fruit Depot for pistachios and olives, (Mr. How2 has a real passion for unusual olives.) They have a shop full of every kind of nut, candy and dried fruit you can imagine, and they encourage you to taste test your way through the store. The last time I was in California, I loved the pistachios done in different flavors, so I was happy to find them here, and bought a large bag.
  We then swung around and entered the RV park. Imagine an orange grove where they paved all the space between the rows of trees and added  parking pads among the trees...The price is a bit steep, $39 a night, but this includes everything, free WIFI, laundry, cable TV at each space, pool (though too cold to swim) and (best part of all) pick all the ripe oranges you want! That's right, just step out your door, gather fresh oranges for breakfast, and go ahead and load some up for the road...
 Here is "our" little tree, next to our Flair motorhome...
 I actually picked THESE oranges and am eating one as I write...
and here is the sun setting across the orchard...

I know, for some of you, this is no big deal, but I am from apple, cherry, and walnut country. Which is, BTW, still a wonderful thrill to go out and harvest when they are in season. But citrus fruit is kind of an exotic for me, and right off the tree?...wow!

We took care of laundry, fixed our cable connection, ( we haven't seen a show since we left), had long hot showers and cooked a nice meal. I think I was giggling at one point, it was such luxury!
  This morning, Mr. How2 is in his element, another RVer drove in later last night, in a Flair, same year, slightly different model, same age issues as we have with ours. So he has hauled his tools over and is helping with the repairs. That seems to be a big part of this lifestyle, always tinkering and tweaking because the multiple systems in these big rigs need so much maintenance...
 Later today, we are heading to the Calico Ghost Town, near Barstow, CA, to check out the sights. Until next time, enjoy...

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