Descanso, CA

      We set a record for the earliest leave ever. Tom and I were driving our Traveling Talisman out of the campsite at 7:25 am. The main reason for leaving early was the expected 102° temperature during the day. We knew our route was going to have a 21 mile climb at 6% - 7%. Neither of us wanted to put our Traveling Talisman through that climb in such heat. The cost of fuel was not going down any time soon, so our first stop was to top off the fuel tank. We stopped at a Mobil station on route CA-54 North. It took 21.744 gallons to fill our tank. Gas was at $4.599 per gallon. We had traveled 70.7 miles since our last fill up. I wasn't able to figure an average gas mileage because we burned more than 1/4 of a tank running the generator during our last stay. As soon as we were all fueled up our adventure continued on CA-54 North to Interstate 8 East. Our climb started in El Cajon, CA. We didn't disconnect the van and drive separately because the van couldn't make the climb by itself. So we had to pull it. To our surprise there were no problems making the climb. It was a steady drive all the way to the CA-79 North exit. The entrance of our resort was another 5.6 miles from the exit. It wasn't recommended to make the sharp right turn into the park. Instead we were advised by many members and TT (Thousand Trails) to continue 2.5 miles and turn around in a large pull off area. We made the extra drive and disconnected the van. From there Tom drove the van ahead to get the paperwork started.

      It was just after 10:15 am when I pulled up behind Tom at the gated ranger's station at Oakzanita Springs / TT Resort. The entire drive was 43.3 miles, not counting the extra 5 miles to turn around. I let Buddy and Benny out of their cat carriers and we waited at the ranger's station while Tom searched for a campsite. There weren't a lot of full hook-up available. Section-A had 10 full hook-ups with newer electric wiring. Section-B only had a few full hook-ups and week electrical lines. Tom left the van at a campsite and walked back to the ranger's station with good news. A 50 amp full hook-up site was available (A-7). He climbed aboard our Traveling Talisman and we drove to our new home location. Our stay was for 17 days and there was no cost using our Thousand Trails membership.

      Tom spotted me as I backed into our campsite. I hooked-up the power cord and water lines to make sure they reached okay. We then used the HWH hydraulic leveling system to lower the jacks onto leveling blocks. As soon as we were level the living room slide went out and the Wilson Truckers Antenna was wired for set up. Our Verizon cell phone service was operational. With out the antenna we had no cell phone service. We both put the awnings out together. Tom set up the inside and I put the TireSavers on. By noon we were ready for lunch and an afternoon swim. The pool was in direct sunlight, but still on the chilly side. I remembered our friend Kim, from Riverside, CA telling us that some pools in California use salt water instead of chlorine water. The water in this pool had a salt water taste to it and no smell of chlorine. Our swim lasted about 45 minutes and then it was time to set up the HughesNet satellite and Sunshades. Tom was persistent at getting internet connection and soon we were in business. By then it was time for another break.

      We went for a walk around the campground to see other campsites. There aren't many trees in the campground. Some of them were destroyed in the 2003 fires and some had to be cut down due to drought. Tom and I were lucky getting a campsite with a tree that gave afternoon and early evening shade. The bad part about our site was during the late evening. The tail of our Traveling Talisman was North West, allowing the sun to shine on the refrigerator exterior wall. The tree and our main awning weren't much help near the end of the day. Towards the end of our walk we stopped at the Oakzanita Springs country store to get soft ice cream cone. We also rented a movie for tonight's pizza and beer night. Our dinner, entertainment and relaxation started earlier than usual and ended by 9:00 pm. We then hit the sack.

Remember to visit travelingtalisman.com by Tom Reider.