Orange You Happy Here?

THIS is one of my happy places.  It's always comforting to know I don't have to drive very far the first day of a long trip.  It didn't really help much with the nerves about "something" might happen along the way, but I pushed those thoughts aside, pulled up my big girls pants and hit the road.

First stop .... fuel.  I love the new station I found across from Pilot Flying J outside of Chowchilla.  There is rarely anyone there, and with only four islands, it's a blessing they are empty just for me.  With $250 now in Union 76's pocket, I was set for the next two weeks.  Fuel - $3.89 a gallon.

Traffic was heavy, but I did my usual thing and stayed in the right lane going 58 mph.  Everyone passed me.  I made one quit pit stop for the puppies and I'm in like Flynn at my favorite happy place, Orange Grove RV Park outside of that ever lovely smelling Bakersfield California.  I can say that because I visited family here for years and smelled the oil from drilling.

You can dry camp anywhere in among the trees at the end of the park, for a few dollars of course, but I don't know what that would be.  I choose to park in the OTHER side where 50 amp electricity comes magically up out of the ground.  Whoever had the idea to build a park in an orange grove was genius.

Sadly, the oranges are very small this year, unlike in previous years when they were the size of a softball.  These are all more baseball sized.  As you can see, the trees are LOADED!!  You get to pick an entire shopping bag full for free.  It makes the $50 nightly fee a little more palatable.  

I discovered quite by accident when my awning hook went flying in the air, that you can grab an orange with the hook and pull it right off the tree.  I got a load of nice large oranges from the top, all of which will be fed to the RV group.

I cleaned up the water and ice from the bottom of the freezer because the drain tube is apparently plugged, as well as a quart of doggie water I keep on the floor.  The plastic container had a hole in it.  Otherwise, all went well.  

It's been a little difficult for the puppies to get used to the new routine of harnesses and going up and down the steps.  Me too for that matter.  Let's hope I remember to unhook the power cord.

I'm taking off early and heading to Walmart in Indio.  What better place to camp for the night.  Let the crazy rat race of a rally begin!!