LAS VEGAS

We made our way out of Palm Springs and through the desert to Las Vegas yesterday.  We also managed to  stay ahead of the declining weather until we got here.  Today it is overcast and breezy but so far no rain.  Temps have ranged from the high 60's to mid 70's today.  It still could happen.  We are mostly entertaining family while here.

Your basic straight road through the desert.

Rest Area between Barstow and Baker.

COOLING DOWN

We have the AC's turned off and the windows open.  The wind came up during the night and has been around all day keeping things cooler.  The high was only 91 today and compared to 106+ it felt comfortable.  On the down side our nice clean coach and the truck have a fine layer of dust and/or pollen on them.  At least the wheels are still shiny.  Note the wind speed at 27 + mph.  If we were sailing that would be more than enough for full speed ahead.  Since we are sitting in a box on big rubber tires and springs it makes things a little shaky.

LOOKING GOOD

I was not expecting to have anything to post today but I just have to show off how good The Condo looks after the detailing crew got done with it this morning.  It won't stay this way for long nor is it likely to get this clean again for some time.  For a better picture just click on any of them and they will enlarge for more detail.

HOLY COW, CALIFORNIA

Note this is the FORECAST

We are used to not staying outside because it is freezing cold but this blazing hot thing is a little different.  Here in Holy Cow, California it is 112 degrees at our front door, confirmed by two different thermometers.  In the area where the water and sewer connections are, called the "wet bay" I have a remote temp sensor so I know it is warm enough that the pipes won't freeze.  NO PROBLEM.  It is 98 in there, on the shady side of the coach on the inside.  Thanks to the three air conditioners on the Condo's roof (who would of ever though you would need three?) We are maintaining 83 with the temp set for 78.  Traffic here, compared to other visits, is very light.  I guess all the smart people left town. So that is pretty much the news for today.  Visited with my dad for a few hours today and they will be coming over for dinner tomorrow.   We will pick on the Mariners together - most likely from inside the Condo.

COALINGA TO PALM DESERT

Rest Stop on the north side of Edwards Air Force Base.  About half way on today's trip.

Something happened on our way to Palm Desert today.  We took a wrong turn and ended up on A DIFFERENT PLANET!  It was 105 degrees and 16% humidity as we were getting set up The Condo.  I know you folks in the Pacific Northwest will have trouble relating.  We are staying inside because it is TOO HOT outside.  We are not complaining.  We are just getting used to it. Anyway, had a good trip and made better time than expected.  Even considering California traffic and California drivers.  Don't get me started.

We will be here until Wednesday.  At some point between now and then I will post some pictures of the local activities.  I am sure you just can't wait.  Hey, its our Blob!

BLOB UPDATE FROM COALINGA, CA

You could say we were in the middle of nowhere and you would be pretty close.  The condo is parked at the number 5 on the above map which is about 100 miles north of Bakersfield just off I-5 near Coalinga.  We tag teamed the driving again today so neither of us drove over 2 hours at a time.  Once again our total driving time was about seven and a half hours.  It was 81 when we arrive here this afternoon.  Shorts and T's for a while now.  We are getting the Mariners game here on ROOT Sports using our sat dish so life is good.  We will be on our way around 8 am tomorrow and with a little luck we will be in Palm Desert by 4 or 5 pm where we will stay for several days.  The coolant level is perfect and other then being dirty the Condo is doing very well.  Wish I could say the same for the truck but life four feet behind the Condo is not good.  Dirty would be being kind.  Getting it washed will be a high priority on Saturday.

THE SISKIYOUS AND RED BLUFF

An unoccupied viewpoint just over the California border where we elected to have lunch.

The lunch view out our front window.

Durango RV Park in Red Bluff

Drug the Rolling Condo through the Siskiyous today - a seven and a half hour drive from Eugene with a couple stops.  Arlyene took about a 2.5 hour shift at the wheel.  A long day for us.  We drove out of the rain about 30 miles from Eugene and have had very little since.  Got in to our spot here in Red Bluff a little before 4:30 and ordered Pizza delivered while we watched the Mariners loose 9 to 8 to Cleveland.  Looks like we may be able to get our baseball while on the road via our sat dish.  (Is that good?)  Put on our shorts and sat outside.  It was not sunny but it was warm enough for shorts.  Wa Hoo!  If you are viewing this message on our blog (as opposed to via e-mail) you can click on the Location link and if you zoom in you can see that this park is right on the banks of the Sacramento River.

So we are off again in the morning for the second of the three longest days getting down to Cathedral City.  Although it will be about the same number of hours, tomorrow will be easier in that we won't have the mountains to deal with and a lot fewer issues with trucks with more open road. They can pass us all they want.  It is a pretty flat route between here and Coalinga, our next stop.

Kept a close eye on the "sight glass" today and all appears to be well so I think our cooling system leak is fixed.  The coach is in good form.  No issues. :>)

CUMMINS

We are still in Coburg and had a 9:00 an appointment with Cummins for the engine work we needed to have done.  Turns out this was our lucky day.  Since we got this coach I have been suspicious that the "sight glass" that shows the coolant level for the engine was not right.  It always looked like it was too full but the engine always ran fine and never acted like there was any kind of problem.  I asked them to check it anyway and they found that the engine was three gallons short of coolant and after they added that and looked for leaks they found a broken hose clamp on the block.  I seriously doubt we would have made it through Grants Pass or over the Siskiyous.  Most likely we would have overheated, the engine would have shut down to protect itself and we would have been towed.  That would have been BAD.  GOD must be watching over us.  Anyway, we got everything done and were on our way by 2 pm.  Not bad.  Back in our campground spot now planning on an 8 am departure.

COBURG

After a rainy night we left Toutle River RV Park about 11 a.m. and made a non-stop run around Portland and down here to Coburg just north of Eugene, OR.   Just a three hour drive.  (Click on the location above the picture and you can see where we are) . We have a 9 a.m. appointment at the Cummins service center about 4 miles from here to have a minor recall performed on the engine.  While we are at it I am going to have the oil changed and the generator serviced.  We will spend the night here again tomorrow night and then head for Red Bluff, CA on Wednesday assuming the Siskiyou's are clear.  Arlyene gets her turn at the wheel then too which will make her happy.

WE HAVE LIFTOFF!

One day ahead of our scheduled departure we left Bothell at 11:00 am and drove non stop here to the Toutle River RV Park where we have stayed many times in the past.  It is about the right distance for the first day at two and a half hours.  The drive was uneventful and after pushing a few buttons and some other connections we are set up and relaxing.  As you can see from the picture it is mostly cloudy but the sun does peek through now and then.  So far it is dry but there is a cool breeze.  Our appointment with Cummins in Eugene is not until Tuesday so we will stay here tomorrow night too and head that way on Monday after the Portland area morning rush hour is over.  I doubt we will have a post tomorrow as it is hard to imagine anything worth posting will happen.