Kathleen & Paul Smith's RV Travelblog

Travel Repairs and A Bit of Heaven
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The previous owner of our little Lazy Daze knocked off the electric step (Hey! It's an easy mistake. It could happen to anybody our age....), so we had a little step stool to get us up and into our LD - not the greatest alternative. So we needed a REAL step. AND for some time our LD has had a malfunctioning toilet. The bowl would not hold water AND had a leak. A source of great frustration for Kathleen. AND we needed to repair the connection between the LD and our Honda for towing. AND all come to sudden the LD water heater stopped working. AND an LD running light needed replacement - we won't go into who destroyed it by hitting our neighbor's RV while parking the LD in front of our Park Model. AND our LD's porch light needed replacement. AND...you get the picture :o) We've been reading about a certain ex-Lazy Daze factory employee who repairs all kinds of RVs. So we decided to travel to Pomona and have Mr Tim Pease make the repairs.

We left on Sunday, January 10th and had a nice drive up I-15 (ugh!) into Pomona. We had reservations at the KOA (Fairplex) next to the Fairgrounds. It's a lovely campground. But expensive. Its office staff was friendly and everything there is kept spic 'n span. Tim came to us shortly after our arrival, made a list of parts he'd need to complete the repairs, picked them up at the "Mother Ship" and arrived back at the KOA at 8:00 am sharp the following morning. Here's Tim before the step installation....

Tim is a hard worker, a knowledgeable one and friendly and helpful to boot, and we were pleased with all the work he accomplished. Our toilet bowl now holds water, and Tim made other corrections/additions for things Paul wanted taken fixed.

The following morning (thanks to Tim's persuasion) we presented ourselves at the LD factory where the new step was installed. Again, excellent workmanship by the Mother Ship crew. While we waited for the step to be installed, we looked at the newest LazyDaze "baby". The model is called the "Kodiak" and it is a real beauty!!!! It is 32 ft long and boasts of many high-class features. We looked at it and lusted after it a bit, but it's not what we need right now.

Some of our photos of the interior leave a bit to be desired, because the inside of the rig is really first class - but here's a sample. The overhead sleeping area has been replaced with an "entertainment center" that provides all of the latest -

Here's a little view of the area behind the driver - expandable table and comfortable barrel chairs.

On the passenger side is a sofa that makes a nice sized bed -

The stove and sink area -

The sink is really nice - cut in rectangle, large and classy.

The bedroom was dramatic, but the mirrors interfere with showing it as well as it looks in reality.

The driver's side and the passenger side enjoy a well planned and attractive area.

Finally, just as one enters/leaves the rig, an impressive board of buttons operate the various lights

The step was installed and we were ready to be off on the road a little after noon. We decided that being out as we were, it would be a shame not to do a little exploring/sight seeing in that part of California.

We checked the maps, decided to make Anza-Borrego Desert State Park our destination, and rather than go by "free way" we elected to take the "back roads." Many of the areas we passed through were lovely ... we began on CA60, and were on I-215 for awhile but left it as soon as we could. We took CA74 east to Hemet where we spent the night. The campground was a doozie! Golden Village - it is a Passport America place and the fees for us as members of PA were half the regular price. It's a pretty impressive place - and again the office staff was very friendly and helpful.

We spent a quiet night there and the following morning headed off on CA74 - making sure we'd take a "road less traveled." When we had traveled quite a way we soon realized why it was a road less traveled! We hugged the sides of more than one mountain, we wove in and around some pretty majestic scenery and even when we reached CA371 we still climbed up and up until we passed a sign that told us we had reached 5,800 feet.

We often drove to Tahoe where the elevation is higher, but US80 and even US50 do not have the curves and sheer drop offs that CA74 and 371 had! We drove close to Thomas Mountain and Mt Palomar. It was quite a ride!

Finally we reached S2 or S22 (the signs on the map and on the road don't agree) ... whatever. Nevertheless we did finally reach Anza-Borrego and were lucky to secure a full hookup site.

The Anza-Borrego campground close to park HQ is nestled on a flat plain and is surrounded by high mountains. It is a gorgeous sight!

Once we secured the rig we took off on a little hike from the campground to the visitor center. Always a highlight on our trips to this largest of California State Parks. This display of ocotillo, barrel cactus and other desert plants has a prominent place in front of the visitor center.

The displays inside are always so interesting, the 15 minute movie of Anza Borrego in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter was impressive, and the volunteer and staff at the visitor center were so delightful and helpful, we asked if we might take their picture. Here it is - each one was friendly, outgoing, and obviously proud of the park and showed a real appreciation for visitors who come to experience the area.

Paul took a liking to some hats on display and we decided they were perfect for us.

Most of the ocotillo was green and some plants were showing off their blooms! The rains predicted to come in the next few days probably mean a trip back in the Honda to see the glorious desert blooms.

Hiking back to the campground we passed many more desert plants, and this one in particular fascinated us. We think it is called Indigo - the branches are a lovely light lavender (the lavender doesn't show up very well in this photo - it's so delicate - perhaps Paul intimidated it ;o)

Another nice evening, highlighted by a step out our LD door to view the clear sky filled with stars. This place boasts of the excellent view of the night skies and we were fortunate to enjoy a beautiful sight! The nearby town of Borrego Springs boasts of being one of two "dark cities."

The following day we decided to see if we could stay a second night. Paul met the rangers at their station at exactly 10:00 (the hour for trying to get empty sites) and we were lucky again and were able to get another site (one that will be used by the Camp Host volunteer who will be arriving on the 17th).

Another hike to the visitor center, but on the way we decided to try a short hike up a hill to an overlook. The path was very steep and narrow. Paul considered his Achilles heel and wondered at what might happen coming down the hill (that's what started his problems with his heel a few months ago - coming down a steep incline). So we turned around and went back down the hill, having gone only a short way up the trail. We keep recalling the doctor who looked us both sternly in the eye and told us that at our age we need to be careful - the simplest thing can lead to another - and another - and end in disaster...

Over in the visitor's center we walked around the many exhibits and learned more about the history of this place.

These stories always move me and remind me of the history of the way we treated the native peoples of this land.

We finally left the center, bade "goodbye for now" to the staff and headed back to camp. We noticed another Lazy Daze in camp and found it belonged to a fellow whose wife died last spring. He's been "on the road" since December, visiting a number of places that were dear to his wife's heart. He's from Arizona and will eventually be heading back to Arizona. We wish him well.

Again, makes us grateful to be together still and realize, way down deep in our gigi, how very lucky we are....

The following morning we readied the rig for our trip to El Centro. We always take CA S2 south toward Ocotillo. The ride out of Borrego Springs eventually took us to S2 and as we reached the cutoff we noticed a police car, signs and lots of bikers. It seems we were in the midst of a bike ride! The "Stagecoach Century"

We followed and passed many riders ... of all ages ... and abilities! Some rode 25 miles, others went 50 and some did the whole thing - 100 miles! The route is a winding, climbing, tough ride.

We enjoyed carefully driving in and around the riders! The start/end of the ride was right in the tiny town of Ocotillo and we've never seen so many cars. There were cars in the parking lots and all up and down the highway. This is a road that does not have a lot of traffic and did make a great and challenging ride for the riders. Here comes a rider into the finishing line!

And then we were "home"! After shopping at Costco and refueling the LD for storage we unpacked the LD, filled the Park Model, enjoyed a nice dinner and are happy to be back.

Next Earlier Item

Next Later Item

Life on the Road with Paul & Kathleen: "Not bad for two dumb kids from Ohio" - Proving once again that it's never too late to have a happy childhood

Our Lazy Daze at Kirk Creek Camp on CA Hwy 1 40 mi N of Hearst's Castle 11/24/03: Shortly after full-timing began.	Foretravel & Toad at Rio Grand Village Full Hookup Camp, Big Bend NP 5/21/06