Saturday 5/13/23
Today we started our prep to leave Sequoia RV Ranch and head to Yosemite. Like any other travel day we cleaned and stowed everything but unlike other travel days, we only had 2 hours of driving! Bonus!
We headed to Visalia which we drove through yesterday and passed hundreds of square miles of citrus groves spotted with walnut and olive trees and surprisingly roses! I suspect the roses attract the pollinators and a side bonus of giving the passers by a sweet fragrant gift.
As we drove the Honda the last few days, the oil light went on. I noticed “instant oil changes” in Visalia..what?!? A drive thru oil change? We drove into Visalia and filled up with gas at $3.99, which is unheard of in Cali, and I gave Paul the address of a shopping center to meet. Off to get my 15 minute oil change… and it was all true, 15 minutes, you stay in the car, after they look at the air filters, tire pressure and change the oil, you are off and running… or driving! Love it!
By noon we were on our way to Yosemite. I use many apps to find campsites at a reasonable price and found an app called HipCamp. I have looked at it many times but never booked anything. It seems like it is mostly people that own land you can camp on, mostly dry camping/boon docking without hook ups. I tried to get a site near Yosemite but the prices are crazy and we are too big to stay in the park so I tried the HipCamp app. What a superb place we are camping. Peaceful, on a hill overlooking a mountain. Way better than an RV camp lot with 10 feet between you and the neighbors. Way better!
The hosts of the site called Camp Sourberry, asked if we wanted them to stop by.. of course! They brought us some farm fresh eggs and after chatting for a bit, they asked if we would like to come feed the sheep this evening! Heck yeah! So later, their son came down to guide us to the sheep pasture, walking along the lupine flowers and what they named “grandmother tree”. We hand fed the sheep and enjoyed getting to know the hosts better.
After returning to the RV, Harley sniffed us up and down interested in the new animal smells. She then assumed the watchdog position looking for critters to pass by.
Sunday 5/14/23
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY 💐🌼
While Paul was out with Harley today, he picked some wild flowers for me 😊
It’s another sunny day in Cali! A good day to see Yosemite with Harley. There is a dog friendly trail in Wawona at the south entrance of the park, closest to where we are staying. We loaded 3 water bottles and an extra gallon of water in the car and off we went. The trail used to be paved but after a few years of snow melt and raging waters, much of the first half of the trail was washed away. It was passable and shady, a good days walk. Harley loved the water!
We spent all day in Yosemite exploring the area. This time of year is great to see stellar waterfalls. The spring snow melt makes for beautiful falls! Every turn gave a new perspective of the mountains and water falls.
We spent some time at El Capitan watching the climbers ascend the rock face. We certainly needed binoculars to see them. I put red arrows on the pics so you have perspective. One person in the third photo was sleeping in a tent that was hanging on the side of the mountain… I am not sure how anyone can sleep while hanging hundreds of feet from the ground! It’s astounding!
Driving through the park gave us a different perspective of Forrest fires. There were several slopes with thousands of burnt trees.
When we finally returned from the park, we were exhausted! I made dinner (leftovers) but barely had the energy to eat it!
Definitely early to bed!
Monday 5/16/23
What? I have to get out of bed? A rest day is in order! We moseyed through the morning routine and decided eating breakfast out was a GREAT idea!
Then back to the RV for a nap 💤
At 3 it was time to check out the local winery suggested by our hosts. Mushroom soup for Paul and a Charcuterie board for us to share. We also discovered Chenin Blanc, slightly effervescent and dry, delish!
Perfect day! Our host brought over some more farm fresh eggs. We will miss this sanctuary.
Tuesday 5/16/23
We were greeted this morning by wild turkeys… I have to give Harley credit, she spotted them first!
Yosemite started to close some areas due to flooding so we decided to split the drive to Death Valley into 2 days. We left Oakhurst one day early, booked a Harvest Host in the Tehachapi Valley at a horse and goat rescue ranch.
The drive brought us back to Bakersfield, around the mountains, then we actually officially started our eastward journey! We also passed our 4000 mile mark of the trip!
We settled at The Dam Ranch in Tehachapi, CA as our Harvest Host for the night. It ends up, we met the owners and the ranch next door trains horses for the movies, Yellowstone, The Run Away Bride and many others!!
It’s a great cause!
Delightful breezes and cooler temperatures are in store for this evening.
You are having an amazing experience and I’m enjoying it vicariously! Shocking that your bonding with hosts along the way…and feeding the animals too…Dr Doolittle strikes again!
Your trip looks amazing! Safe travels💕