California -- June 29th Update

Our last update, many moons ago, was up through Sunday, June19.  So, briefly, here are the next 10 days or so of our travels.

We drove the car from Red Canyon campground down to Zion National Park (one hour plus) Monday morning, 6/20.  We came in from the east side through the Mount Carmel tunnel -- really spectacular canyon walls.  Unfortunately, we arrived mid-morning and there were no parking spaces to be found.  In Zion, you have to park your car and take their shuttle.  Not feeling like circling for an hour or driving out of the south entrance for parking and taking another shuttle back in, we cut our visit short and left via the east entrance.  As I said, Kyle was suffering from scenery overload anyway.  "More rocks?!"  We stopped to take pictures on the return trip.  Ate at the Thunderbird Motel and Restaurant in Mt. Carmel ("Family owned since 1930") and Kyle drove back to Panguitch.

The Great Arch, seen from the east entrance road below the tunnel, Zion National Park. 



A spring running over the rock on the east road above the tunnel.



Kyle on rock near the road; the formations looked like they had been combed. 



A pretty pass above the tunnel



The Checkerboard Mesa overlook at the east entrance.  The formations look like they have been milled. 



  We left Utah on Wednesday, June 22, and drove to Barstow, CA, where we dry camped at a Flying J truckstop.  It was 48 degrees when we left Panguitch; 103 degrees in Barstow.  Ran the generator and A/C all night, surrounded by 100 idling diesel trucks.  Arrived at Orangeland RV Park in Orange, CA, (about 18 miles from Newport Beach and Michael) Thursday afternoon, June 23.

This is for Tom.  Yes it's a green egg from the Saturday morning farmers market in Orange.

Kyle getting an early start on his 21st birthday in Buca di Beppo Saturday night in Pasadena.  Saw Kevin Nealon (former SNL regular) at a comedy club there -- great show.



Walkway in Michael's condo complex -- it occupies a city block and has myriad walkways and  amenities.  Lots of flowers everywhere out here -- reminiscent of Hawaii.





Pool and flowers at Michael's place.







Kyle contemplating new sunglasses Sunday in PopKiller clothing store.

Yeah, Roasted Crabs.  From Mitsuwa Marketplace (think Japanese Walmart or maybe Target)

Sweet, crunchy, (very,very crunchy), chewy, one time treat



Excellent guitar duo at the every Tuesday night Huntington Beach street fair.



Main Street crowd at the HB street fair

The pier at Huntington Beach

Beach to west of pier; cool enough for a jacket

"Surf Capital of the U.S." -- preparing for the national championships in late July; east side of the pier

This guy had several nice rides -- note the wetsuit.  Water is cold, probably low 60's.

Michael's friend and former roommate Chad, with his girlfriend Jessica, and Michael and Kyle on the HB pier.

Entrance to Orangeland RV Park -- family owned and operated since 1972.  It was an orange grove before that.

Main building with office, pool, putting green, etc

Back of the main building with meeting rooms, offices, shower rooms

Our unit on Lot 199 (of about 210).  All paved.  Tight but nice, clean, well-kept

A little bit of grass and citrus trees

Lots of flowers -- trees and grounds are watered and maintained.

Note the oranges on the trees

They provide fruit pickers to pick your own citrus; here I'm after grapefruit

Kyle with a large lemon from a tree adjacent to our lot

The fruit we picked and washed Wednesday -- grapefruit, lemon, navel orange, and two valencia oranges -- really juicy and sweet.

 

I had hoped to update the blog thru Wednesday night, July 6, but Blogger (or Picasa or something) would only let me upload a limited number of pictures.  Hopefully we'll get the rest up in the next few days.

We'll stay at Orangeland through Thursday, July 7, then head for Las Vegas for Kyle's 21st birthday on Friday, July 8.  Plan to head east Sunday, July 10 to be back in Morgantown Friday, July 15.