Death by Drowning (Once), and Other Lessons from the California Coast

 We didn't stay long in the Baker, Ca area because it was getting just too hot.  It was time to move along, and maybe head for the coast.  So we did!  We made a brief stop in Barstow to top off the tank with some 'liquid gold' before the prices went up even more! We took 58 westward past Boron, Mojave and Tehachapi before turning off to go through Arvin, just to miss the Bakersfield traffic.  Across central California it is a mix of farmland, wineries, orchards, and then oil country.  We used a previously enjoyed pastoral road-side stop for the night at around 4000', so we found relief from the heat.  Next day, we rolled down the mountainside and found ourselves ocean-side in Morro Bay!

While there are some parking lots clearly marked 'no camping' or overnight parking, there are some areas that are not signed.  I don't usually camp in urban areas, but I was surprised to see how quiet my spot was. There are lots of bike trails up and down the coast, and through the restaurant areas along the shore, so quite a few miles were put on the bike.

I liked this sign, "Death from drowning occurs once in a lifetime"

I witnessed a humourous event while visiting the docks where the Coast Guard and others have their patrol craft parked.  Pretty sure it was the game wardens boat where they were cooking something on the BBQ on the back deck, and were making a bit of smoke.  Well, the ventilation system sucked some of the smoke into the engine room, and set off loud smoke alarm there!  Nearby, some Harbor Patrol guys saw the smoke and heard the alarm, and assumed the game warden boat was going up in flames!  They came running with fire extinguishers, and were calling in reinforcements!  The crew of the bbq boat were still trying to find a way to silence the alarm.  I hope the harbor guys got invited for a steak at least!

There was a group of Otters in the bay, doing what Otters do best!

 

Our day use parking spot - right under the very prominent Morro Rock.

Surfers were out north of the rock, but it was sheltered and warm on the south side, so the beach was warm and inviting.  I doubt if the water was, though a few kids were splashing in it.

After all day at the beach, we returned to our previous overnight spot, and enjoyed another peaceful night.

Next day we stopped to check out the tide pools along the coast. It is an official trail, with interpretive signs, yet the friendly sign in the parking area declares that loitering for any purposes is prohibited! As well as trespassing and littering.  Get it together California!!

Out in the intertidal zone, there was a lot of activity, if you looked closely!

As we headed further north on highway 1, we encountered the usual construction zones where CalTrans has the never ending job of trying to keep the road from sliding into the ocean, or slides from above blocking the road.  I think this section was closed for over a year the last time before they managed to restore access.  Most of these involve one-lane traffic zones.  I really like them because it gives you a chance to slow down and take a short break, and then when everyone is allowed through, I let everyone go past me, and that way I can go as slow as I want for the next number of miles, with no one trying to pass.These curvy, hilly roads are challenging enough, without having to worry about someone behind you.

 

I found this spot, just off the highway with no signs, so I set up for the night - check out the video!
 

 I had Bailey out on leash for an evening stroll, when two very nice young German ladies pulled in and asked if they could set up their tent and camp beside me for the night.

Next morning was beautiful and warm and sunny, so we chatted, and Bailey demonstrated his lizard hunting abilities.  They loved him, of course!  We discussed our plans for the day and exchanged information before I headed north again.

I added some of my spare fuel so that I could make it to the least expensive fuel around - in Santa Cruz.  Nevertheless, at $6.19/gallon, and re-filling my spare can, I made it out after paying a record of $221. for a fill up of diesel!

I was glad to find a familiar ocean view overnight spot again, and settled in.  Then, I got a text from the ladies, asking where I was, and if they could join me again!  Of course I said yes, but it was cool and breezy after dark, so I invited them inside to visit with Bailey, and we played cards and exchanged card tricks!

 

After we parted ways for the second time, I took the opportunity to check the Instagram account they had given me.  Surprised was an understatement when I learned that the one girl was part of several world championship volleyball teams in Germany, and she also attended university in the US, and earned All American honours.  She also played professionally for several German teams.  Then, she moved into beach volleyball, and snow volleyball, with her friend who was with her!  They have won several German national titles in this discipline!  Quite the athletes and competitors!

Moving right along, we all traveled north to San Francisco that day.

My shot of the bridge, and their shot at the bridge! 

Bailey and I spent the next night in a roadside pulloff where I have camped before with Bailey, and also Ms Hailey.  Bailey patrols the perimeter!

 

The next morning as we pulled out, I could hear a slight scraping noise from one of the trailer wheels.  It changed when I touched the brakes, so I thought there might be a pebble or something in the brake shoe.  It seemed to go away, and it was a short day on the road anyway.  The following morning the sound was back, so I pulled over, checked for heat, and jacked up the wheel to see if the bearing was solid.  (I always check the wheels for heat whenever stopping after a drive)  It seemed good, and the wheel would spin with slight resistance, so again I assumed the brake was dragging a bit.  I backed off the brake controller in the truck and drove a short distance.  This time, I could feel some heat building up in the hub. Not wanting to wreck a bearing or brake, I decided to remove that wheel and limp it into the next service place and have it looked at.  As I backed off the road again to do this, the wheel just fell off and laid there on the pavement!  Well, that was easy :-(

Not only that, but the spindle was sheared clean off.  Now things are getting interesting!  It was Sunday afternoon (better than Friday night!),  so the next day I limped into Fort Bragg, and was directed to an RV service place that could deal with this.  Unfortunately, the trailer has torsion axles, and because it is rather old, they would have to be custom built - in a month or two!!  And be very expensive.  Should I park the rig, drive home in the truck, and come back to get it later?  

I then asked about replacing both axles with the standard spring type.  But the available attachment points don't really line up, and that might raise the whole trailer by 6" or so!  So, I got sent to a welding shop, where they could possibly chop off all the extra frame components, at great expense, then build and attach spring hangers in the required locations.  A guesstimate said that this might run to around $4K, likely more than the trailer is worth.  Not a lot of decent options.

But then (drum roll, please) the manager, laying in the dirt with measuring tape and spring measurement charts, and a lot of muttering said - "I think we can just remove that broken spindle from the axle and weld in a new one"!  I didn't think this was possible, as during a similar event years earlier, the repair place said the only option was a new axle - which was at least available at the time - and I was a LOT closer to home. Well, I just about fell over myself, agreeing to that plan - and it a couple hours that axle was removed and ready for surgery!

They let me stay parked by the welding shop, and even offered a plug-in till the parts arrived a couple days later!  The new spindle was welded into place on the axle, and it was bolted back to the rig.  I noticed that the brake magnet was at the top of the new hub, unlike the old one, but the mechanic said he had put it on the same way as the old one.

 

I settled the bill, and moved to a better overnight spot just up the coast, when I consulted with my photos and had a chat with ChatGPT who insisted that the magnet should be on the bottom, not top.  So, I called the shop and went right back.  By this time it was raining, and the trailer was outside, so I just pulled back into 'my' parking spot at the welders and spent another night.  In the morning, they re-oriented the hub, and we were back on the road, footloose and almost fancy free!  And, only a bit poorer.  Now, if we can only afford enough fuel to make it home!

Desert Life: Free Camping, Stolen Trucks, Heat Waves and Uninvited Guests!

 When we were last here, we were just departing from Ironwood Forest National Monument, just west of Tucson, Az.   Well, we picked up Interstate 10 west, then transitioned to I-8 as far as Gila Bend.  As usual, we took advantage of the free dump, fill, and a had a bite to eat before heading north to the I-10 again near Buckeye.  This time, we turned south at Quartzsite and found one of our favourite places to camp south of town, with no one within a half mile!  Same place we camped back in Nov/Dec.

Big rain one day.  Almost washed the dust off the truck!

 Spent about a week in Quartzsite area, caught up on laundry, filled some propane, but it was often too windy for much biking around.  I took the opportunity for a couple of Amazon orders.  I've had some nightmares getting things delivered in Quartzsite (actually I rarely have an order without some complications), although I think I have now got that one figured out (you must use a postal address in Quatrzsite - even if you are getting it sent to a 'ship and receive' place!), but they also charge $5/package.  As a result, I used an Amazon locker in Lake Havasu - even if Amazon makes it difficult to find them.

So, when things started to arrive, it was time to move up the road to Lake Havasu.  Once again, we stopped at our usual favourite - Mile 174 BLM.  My spot up on the ridge top was occupied - well actually there was lots of room, but I could see that both rigs up there were sporting industrial sized generators, so that was a no-go.   Pretty sure I recognized a couple of rigs that were parked in the same places they were, when I left in December!  Maybe they're just like me and returned to the same spots? Not!

 

 

 An early evening walkabout, so Bailey is on leash!

Weather was pretty warm.  Too warm for hiking most days, but the bikinis were starting to bloom down at the channel, as spring break got under way.

                                                        "Is that a DOG walking by?"

Took advantage of a cooler day and early morning to do my annual hike up Lizard Peak - check out the aerial video!  It's a gooder! Go Big, go full screen ;-)

From the mountain top, I was able to check in on Bailey back in camp, and make sure he is not (!) sleeping on guard duty!

Flowers were blooming, although these ones were in a Lowe's garden center!

A depiction of my parking spot in Rotary Park on my truck's screen!

It was pretty hot every day now with the hot spell going on.  Some days we'd just stay home in the shade, and mist water on Bailey to keep him cool.  That's a good indication that is time to find some where higher, and cooler!

After some serious considerations and map examination, Mojave National Preserve got selected as our next home for a while.  Usually, we've enjoyed camps in the northern part of the preseve, near Baker, but this time it was possible to search a bit, to find a great spot in the southern portion.

I spotted this 'camper' off in a nearby wash.  But after further examination, I realized that this was an abandoned truck (likely stolen?), and no one had been around it for weeks.  

 

I dutifully reported all the details to the parks dispatch, and sure enough the next morning a nice Park Ranger showed up to investigate.  He immediately took steps to remove it, but the first tow truck he called would not even drive into the wash!  Eventually, hours later, another couple vehicles showed up, and by happy hour they were dragging it out of the area.  The keys were in it, but of course it wouldn't start.  Hard to see the tow rope in the video, but it is being towed out by the jeep.  Felt sorry for the Ranger, as it had burned up his entire day!

One day, I started to watch a hockey game, while sitting in my truck....

It was a great, scenic, secluded, level camp spot with fairly easy access.  But it turned out to be a bit of a nightmare.  Why is the hood open, you might ask?

Well, here is the answer!  

  Kangaroo rat and a bunny!  I think the rabbit felt safe from owls under the truck?

 I think it was the second night there when I thought I heard some sort of scratching under the rig, or possibly in the basement!  I couldn't see anything there, but then opened the hood on the truck in the dark, and heard some scratching.  I started the truck, and the pack rat came to the top of the engine, and I was easily able to grab it by the tail and fling it away, unfortunately, leaving a portion of tail in my hand.  It ran back under the truck, so I moved the truck and re-parked hoping that would scare it away and deter it.  Nope!  These things are a pain, and once again I could hear him somewhere around the engine.  So, it was time for a midnight drive, about a mile out to the highway and back.  Parked again, but it was till there!  Time to dig out the traps!  From past experience, I had a couple of sturdy snap traps, so I set one on top of the engine, and one in the basement.  I also set a brand new live trap I carry for just such an occasion.  I baited all with some peanut butter, some tinfoil, and some shiny plastic bags for the live trap.

Well, in the morning, I found one deceased culprit in the snap trap, and hoped that would be the end of it.  Not so lucky!  Over the next couple nights, the traps remained empty, and I strung some LED lights on the ground under the truck, and added some cameras!  Even threw some used cat litter underneath to try and deter them.

 Well, they clearly weren't hungry - as I baited the traps with peanut butter, then added some cat food, and strawberries.  But they sure loved scampering all over the engine for hours.  I don't know what the attraction is?  Luckily, no damage detected (yet).

Another really hot day was shaping up, but I headed out on this shadeless hike in mid morning to a volcanic crater. 

While still under attack from the packrats, I decided to move on, hopefully before any damage was done.

It was a short move, just up to the northern portion of the preserve, but somewhere that should be free of the cute little rats.  Set up camp, and settled in for the night, but alas, there were scratching sounds somewhere in the inaccessible areas under the rig.  I managed to squeeze a trap through an opening into that area - secured by a cord tether.  And I did eventually find a small access hole in the underbelly, well hidden between the axles, but there was not enough space for a good look.  I shoved Bailey in, but there was no room for him to move either!  I left the hole open for the night, thinking the stowaway might be hungry, and eager to resume life in some natural desert habitat.  It wasn't till about 6 AM when I heard a short bit of noise from down there - then silence.  Finally - caught the little freeloader, and I hope he didn't have any friends with him! 

It was pretty darn hot in that lower elevation area, so there was no reason to stick around.  So, off we went in search of new adventures, cooler temperatures, and perhaps (?) just a bit closer to home.  But that's going to have to wait for the next blog post!