Southern California 2012

We left Pio Pico and headed up highways fifteen and two fifteen to Thousand Trails – Wilderness Lakes in Menefee.  Our stay in Menefee was uneventful.  We used the time to stock up on supplies, get the annual maintenance done on our coach at Mike Thompsons, started the rounds at dentists and doctors, and did a little writing.  In fact this blog has been delayed, in part, because I’ve been writing other things.  In case you haven’t heard, two of my short stories are now available on Amazon for Kindle.  The two are: Beauty is in the Ear of the Beholder and Subtle Mortality.  Both are written under my name “K. Patrick Moore” and can be found by searching under Kindle by author or title.  In addition, I have an author page on Amazon that tells you more boring details about my past.  Each title is a short science fiction story that can be purchased for your kindle at the low, low price of $0.99.  I tried to get Amazon to throw in a Sham Wow … but they wouldn’t go for it …  J

The highlight of our visit to Wilderness Lakes was the warm welcome provided by Dave and Issy, the Pond Hoppers from England.  We had quite a few very nice “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” gatherings and Dave treated us to a wonderful curry one evening complete with carrot cake and ice cream for dessert …  YUM!

Unfortunately, our friends left before Memorial Day and they were replaced with a cadre of noisy, rude, urbanites, who apparently celebrate the holiday weekend with excess drinking and loud music.  Too bad!  I celebrated by remembering those who gave everything they had for our freedom.  I listened to the President’s speech regarding Vietnam Veterans (it actually was quite good) and then immersed myself in heroic movies (Midway; Tora, Tora, Tora; They were Expendable; In Harms Way).

Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes is a nice park with canals running behind the camping sites.  They offer a nice pool and a decent miniature golf course.  The manager went out of his way to assist us in extending our stay.  However, since they lack 50 amp service, and allowed a rather rowdy bunch in over Memorial Day Weekend, have a severe ant problem, and occasional unpleasant aromas and flies from the neighboring dairy farm, we would give this park a “7”.  We look forward to returning for a non-holiday visit.

Here is a picture of one of the herons that fish in the canals at Wilderness Lakes.  Also at the park ducks, geese, and a great variety of non-water fowl.

From Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes we, reluctantly, ventured to Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon.  This park is a wonderful place to put a full time trailer, but it’s a lousy RV resort.  The full-time residents are abundant and have very nice grassy sites surrounded by a beautiful white rail fence.  All of the nice-sized corner sites are permanent as well as any in the top section with a nice view.  I would describe Soledad Canyon as a typical Los Angeles Trailer Park where they reluctantly allow the visiting RVer.  Members who pull in for a few days or a few weeks are definitely not made to feel welcome.  They park toe to head and share a very shallow porch area …  and since these spaces are dust, dirt, weeds, and stickers, they are not even worth sharing.  Even VIP members who should receive a newspaper daily must trek to the ranger station each day to request one.  After looking at the numerous complaints online from members regarding this park, members can only conclude that ELS couldn’t care less … perhaps this is the future they envision for every park … Turn them into little trailer parks for permanent residents and provide only the barest of essentials for visiting members.  Furthermore, the security at this park is scant to lousy with the gate being either open or the ranger too lazy to stop cars to insure the park’s safety.  The corporate types at ELS have definitely demonstrated a Laissez-faire attitude toward this park and its manager.  Until they choose to act … he won’t either!  Enough said:  we rate this park a zero “0”.

 

So why did we spend any time there?  Our granddaughter graduated from High School in the high desert and the park put us close enough to attend … perhaps next time we will try WalMart!  We stopped in Littlerock as we motored back and forth and found two great things:  (1) Wonderful sausages at The Hungarian Sausage store and (2) a great place for wind chimes and whirly gigs called Penny Lynn Wind Toys.  We stocked up on great sausages at the Hungarian and purchased a very unique bamboo dragon wind chime at Penny Lynn.

 

 

 

On our final day at Soledad our son Jason, his wife Jen and their two children Brayden (age 4) and Brynn (age 2) stopped by on their way back to the airport to return to East Timor for the rest of the school year (about two weeks).  We had a very nice picnic and it was great to play with the kids … wow … do they have some energy!!

 

Kaitlyn, our granddaughter, had a wonderful graduation.  Shane (our middle son), his wife Dee and their two children Aedyn (age 4) and Connor (age 3) drove all the way up from Riverside to attend Kaitie’s special day.  Aedyn and I were able to have a short enjoyable conversation about his new sword.  It was great to see all the young grandkids in one place (we have eight grandchildren in all: Nina (22) who is married to Brian and lives in North Platte, NE; Kaitlyn 18 who will be attending Northern Arizona State in Flagstaff this fall; Amber 18 who is living and working in Apple Valley, CA; Willow 11 (almost 12 she informs me) who is living with her mom (Charity, our youngest) in Dothan, AL and will be in the eighth grade; and the four little ones mentioned above.

 

Here are pictures of our granddaughter on her happy day.

 

 

 

Until next time ... Keep Doing What You Love!!