Summary of the Winter Past and Preview of the 2019 Travel Season

The 2018-2019 winter season was relatively low-key for us and passed quickly. Kim, the pups, and I are in good health and our vehicles and fifth-wheel are in good repair. We spent the winter in southern-California, alternating time between Silent Valley Club and other area parks –
perennial favorites: Banning Stagecoach KOA, Lake Skinner Recreation Area, Rancho Jurupa Regional Park – as well as new parks: Guajome Regional Park and Stagecoach Trails RV Resort and Horse Camp.

Weather was quite wet in So-Cal this winter, with El Niño and atmospheric river conditions fueling a series of heavy storms sweeping the area. We were high and dry in the various campgrounds, but there was extensive flooding and road damage throughout the area. Indeed, highways CA-243 and CA-73 were washed out near Idyllwild and may not reopen for nearly a year. Fortunately, CA-243 is open as far as Poppet Flats Road and Silent Valley Club.

Silent Valley received some snow, including one heavy snowfall event. This storm occurred while we were down the mountain having our trailer axle replaced. We stayed several extra days at the Banning KOA, rather than risk the icy mountain roads. Fortunately, the snow melts quickly at Silent Valley’s elevation.

While in the So-Cal area we reconnected with family and friends. Kim especially enjoyed spending time with our grandnieces & nephews.

As usual, we took care of annual maintenance tasks – both for ourselves and for our vehicles. Our truck tire treads were wearing low, so both the F/350 and Toyota Tundra are now sporting new sets of tires.

We also replaced an axle on our fifth-wheel. As noted in one of our Alaska posts, the camber on our rear axle was off, causing excessive inside tread wear on the back tires. Rough roads or, perhaps, an unfortunate “curb-hop” had sprung the axle. Replacement of the axle was accomplished in one day and was surprisingly inexpensive. (Thank you, Ray Boyd’s RV!)

During the winter downtime I worked on several art projects – completing several Chapbook (hand-stitched fine art booklets) and ePublication (downloadable PDF file) projects. Eventually, these will be posted on my photography website.

Other highlights this winter include photography along CA-243, as well as a visit to Anza Borrego Desert State Park and photography in the Galleta Meadows Sky Art sculpture gardens at Borrego Springs. Galleta Meadows was particularly fascinating, photographically – I’ve included a few snapshots below, but will share more serious images in a separate blog post.

Photos

Here are photos from the winter season:

Here are black & white photos from along CA-243 and around Silent Valley:

Map

Preview of Travel Season 2019

Here is a look at our 2019 travel itinerary. Having traveled to Alaska last year, we are taking things easier for 2019 – although we are still covering plenty of territory. We plan to take our time and visit favorite spots along the eastern Sierras, northern California, and southern Oregon coast, as well as interesting places in the desert southwest. We are looking forward to visiting family and friends along the way in California, Oregon, Utah and Iowa. I also hope to get in some good photography along the way. Stay tuned…

That’s all for now. Safe travels and enjoy the journey.