At Desert Hot Springs, California we camped with Troy and Carole Harper, our friends and Troy is a distant cousin of Norm. It seems like all we and the Harpers did was eat and sip some cool ones during our four night stay. The first night we ate at a Mexican restaurant in Desert Hot Springs where each entree was meticulously prepared, delicious and washed down with Margarita's. The second night we attended a pot luck dinner in our campground (Catalina Spa RV Resort). There was a large gathering and the serving line was unusual. Tables were placed in a "U" shape with chairs on both sides. We sat down and placed our food in front of us and when the command was given everyone rose and worked their way around the "U" scooping up food. When we returned to our chairs we had circled all the food so we sat down and ate. After the meal a microphone was passed around the room with everyone required to speak and embarrass themselves, all in fun.

The third night we drove to Palm Springs looking for a unique and interesting restaurant. After walking several blocks downtown and checking out several restaurants we found it - Mykonos, A Greek Restaurant. This was not a fast food restaurant as each item on each plate was specially prepared. Carole ordered a combination plate with Mousaka, Pastitio and Spanakopita, cold Dolmades and a Greek Salad. Troy ordered Lamb Shank simmered in Tomato Sauce, sauteed Onions and Herbs served with a Potato, sauteed Peas and Rice. Linda had a combination plate of Musaka and Pastitio, sliced Lamb Gyros with Tzatziki, cold Dolmades and a Greek Salad. Norm ate Leg of Lamb roasted in Lemon and Garlic, served with a Potato, sauteed Peas and Rice. We all drank Retsina and finished the evening with Baklava for desert. What a great meal.

The fourth night we decided to try Italian and found Capri Italian Restaurant in Desert Hot Springs. Again, every entree was individually prepared and delicious. Linda had Fettuccini Alfredo and salad while Norm had Lasagna and salad. That night we had martinis and Seven and Seven before dinner and wines with the meal. The three nights of eating in restaurants cost us $170.25 which is much more than we normally spend but the good company and delicious food was worth every penny.

During our short stay at Catalina Spa Resort we took a scenic drive, window shopped in Cathedral City, attended a street fair in Palm Springs and toured an exclusive Marriott Hotel Resort. But our stay was shortened by a family emergency back in Kentucky. Norm's 89 year old mother was hospitalized and his 93 year old father was being watch by a neighbor. We talked it over and decided to high-tail it to Kentucky.
 

Marriott Hotel near Palm Springs, California

Our Plans Were:

We had laid out plans to take a gondola ride up the mountain in Palm Springs, tour a windmill farm and visit Joshua Tree National Park in California. Next we were heading to BLM land near Havasu City, Arizona for four nights of boondocking and see the old London Bridge. Then we planned to boondock four nights at a casino in Laughlin, Nevada and from there tour Bullhead City, Oatman where donkeys run wild, take motor scooter trips and a boat ride on the Colorado River. Then we planned to meet friends, the Holders, in Benson, Arizona before going to Livingston, Texas to take care of some business and meet new friends who wanted to take us on a boat ride. Those were places we have wanted to see for years but they'll have to wait for another year.

What We Missed:

On our hurried trip east we drove by many places we wanted to stop and see but there was no time. In southeastern California we passed a shoe tree. In the middle of the desert we saw a lone tree with branches draped with shoes which would have made an interesting picture. We're sure each shoe had its own story. In Arizona we whizzed by Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and the famous Hubbell Trading Post. In New Mexico we hurried past an old deserted strip of Route 66. We drove Interstate 40 which parallels old Route 66 and we wanted to ride our scooter down the old road and pick up a few chunks of history. We also missed seeing the famous Cadillac Ranch.

In Groom, Texas we got a glimpse of the Largest Cross in the Western Hemisphere and it surely was interesting and would have made a great picture. Clinton Oklahoma has the best Route 66 museum in the nation and we wish we could have stopped to study the history of the old highway. The Casey Jones Railroad Museum in Jackson, Tennessee would have been interesting too.
 

Interstate through New Mexico

A Report on I-40:

We drove Interstate 40 from southern California to Nashville, Tennessee so we can report on that highway. The road through Arizona was in great shape, smooth and we just floated down the road on our motorhome's air ride suspension. The scenery was beautiful but why has Arizona closed all their rest stops? New Mexico also had smooth pavement giving us a nice ride and the scenery was breathtaking. The wide open scenery was beautiful and it is always interesting to watch two trains in opposing directions meet and see the entire lengths of both trains. In Texas the highway was rough in spots and they have more rest areas and picnic areas than any other state. Part of the road in Oklahoma was good but most was terrible with strips every few feet much like speed bumps. Its a wonder our motorhome didn't shake apart. Arkansas once had the worse highways in the nation and many RVers avoided the state. They have recently repaved some areas but they have many more miles to pave. After getting through construction in Memphis the highway in Tennessee was excellent.

Our trip from California to Kentucky:

Day 1 - Desert Hot Springs, CA to Bellemont, AZ. (389.3 miles) There was a storm brewing in southern California and we tried to out run it. We kept ahead of it until we stopped for the night at a Conoco Truck Stop. We were at an elevation of 7300 feet and the next morning we were covered with snow and saw graders clearing the highway.

Day 2 - To a picnic area at mile marker 12 in Texas. (565.2 miles) We had a mixture of rain and fog with some sunshine.

Day 3 - To a picnic area at mile marker 283 in Oklahoma. (453.7 miles) The skies were dark all day with occasional rain. We overnighted in an interstate picnic area and the next morning heard constant truck traffic beside our motorhome. Norm went outside to check and found the picnic area had been turned into a DOT truck inspection station. Inspectors were stopping trucks beside our motorhome so we were in the middle of their inspection area. We fired up the engine and got out of there.

Day 4 - To a closed truck stop at mile marker 143 in Tennessee. (483.9 miles) All day long through Arkansas and Tennessee we fought 30 - 40 mph side winds which made driving difficult. We stayed in a closed truck stop and walked to a hundred year old restaurant to eat.

Day 5 - To Irvington, Kentucky. (261.7 miles) Again the winds blew strong making driving difficult. At least we got to leave I-40 and drive on I-65. We parked in a Methodist Church parking lot two blocks from Norm's parents' house.

Fuel Stations:

We are a big fan of Flying J truck stops because they cater to RVers and give discounts. During our trip we filled up the motorhome at Flying J's in Kingman, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Checotah, OK; West Memphis, AR and Franklin, KY.

Finally in Kentucky:

From southern California to Kentucky we drove 2,153.8 miles in 4.5 days and that is certainly not the way we like to travel. Next month we'll report on Mom and Dad and getting them in a nursing home. The weather in Kentucky was mostly cold and rainy. It either rained or snowed 25 days in March and the temperatures stayed between 21 and 55 degrees.