From Yuma, AZ
We snuck out of Sacramento between weather systems, spending the first night out in Bakersfield at the Bakersfield RV Resort, a pretty classy joint south of the central area. Didn’t unhook, thus missing Bakersfield’s reknowned cultural opportunities. Gas at Costco was $2.95; this is the first trip in a long time when we actually are seeing a price drop…but then, can’t really get too gleeful about these prices in the “high twos,” as they would say in real estate sales parlance.
With the weatherman assuring clear passage, we headed up the Grapevine on a clear crisp morning. Up top, snow was evident, but it was non-factor, driving-wise. Picking up the 210 on the other side, we skirted across the top of LA, pausing only for a late coffee/gas stop in Redlands. Stumbled into the Costco, where petrol was going ‘out the door (car sales parlance) at $2.91. We topped off, knowing that our next fill would be in Arizona, where we know gas will be much cheaper.
We had planned to stop for the night at Indio or possibly Salton Sea, but we felt fresh, and seemingly had a good tailwind going, so we pushed on, stopping for a late lunch along the shores of Salton Sea…pulling into the grounds of the former Yacht Club (or 'Yatch' Club as Saltonians apparently refer to it). Nothing but a crumbling parking lot left, presumably wiped out by the great floods of the 90s and the increasing salinity of the Sea. No yachts afloat on this body of water, though I could feel the history as Carly and I walked the grounds, looking for that ‘special spot’ along the shore. One could imagine the revelry of clinking glasses being drained of gin and tonics, the smell 
of Sea and Ski lotion in the air, the waves lapping against boats hulls which used to fill the place in the 60s. Now just nothing…as is the whole Salton Sea area. Cheap land here, if you like heat and stinky breezes. We've been here twice in the last two months, which doesn't really sound like an endorsement of our 'travel tastes.'Nearing El Centro, we calculated it would be just an hour to Yuma, so we headed to the Cocopah RV and Golf Resort, where we had reservations for the following two nights (Weds & Thurs.). The place is packed with snowbirds, so we spent our night dry-camping next to the “Piddle Park”, a large grassy play area for doggies. Carly met many new friends, who even triggered a short scamper from her creaky bones until she remembered, “Hey, I can’t do this.” Total drive: 383 miles
Good reading: “The Innocent Man” by John Grisham; his first non-fiction work about an Oklahoma murder case. Janice has her nose in this one, unburdened by her ‘book work’ which was sent out on the UPS truck the day before we left.
I am engrossed by “Until Proven Innocent”, written by two reporters who covered the Duke lacrosse rape case. As a former prosecutor, I have been seething at the incompetence, corruption, arrogance and blind political ambition of the Durham DA, not to mention the hypocrisy of the ‘libs’ on the Duke faculty, and the 'get the rich white boys' mentality of the media. This became a perfect storm of police/prosecutorial incompetence and dishonesty that a reasonable prosecutor would have seen through on day one. Utterly shameful conduct, but a very well written and well-researched book. Hope they make a movie out of this so the folks who deserve a public bashing can get it on the big screen.
Visited the local Social Security office to follow up on my online application for retirement benefits. (“Get ‘em while you can…”)
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