11/11/2024

I spent the whole day getting ready for my trip. I have to get the automatic plant waterer to work, make sure the bucket is in place to catch my mail, pick up prescriptions, all sorts of last minute things to do. 

Until tomorrow...

11/10/2024

Now that the van/camping stuff is organized and ready to go, I needed to pack my clothes, shoes, boots, food. I made both Bolognese and chili to take for the first few travel nights. I hate having to cook after driving 4.5 hours. I bring items in a plastic bag and heat them up. How do I heat them up in a van? I boil water and then put the ziplock bag in the center of the pot. The edges can't touch the sides. With the Bolognese, I cook the spaghetti and put the plastic bag in with the spaghetti. Dinner is served! 

Until tomorrow...

11/9/2024

Now it is time to prep for my final trip in 2024. I leave for Joshua Tree in a few days. I took all my equipment out and reorganized it. I have these bins that hold different things: 

* camping/RV stuff like an axe, first aid kit, folding shovel, flashlights, etc

* Kitchen stuff: measuring cups , small food processor, plastic bags, etc. 

* Pet stuff: paper for the bird cage, food, snacks, dog life vest, etc 

* Entertainment and electronics: small game, coloring books, colored pencils, ear buds, mini projector, mosquito repeller, etc. 

It's easier when I am organized. 

Until tomorrow...

11/8/24

I am spending a lot of time perfecting my fillings for the chocolates. Did I put too much orange juice? Do I need more instant coffee? Over and over again to get it just right and written down. 

Until tomorrow...

11/7/24

I went to a "Marketing your business" class and then an orientation for a program that helps small business. I'm on my way!! 

Until tomorrow...

11/16/2024

I forgot to mention in yesterday's post that's why I send and his wife took me out to dinner. They live near Palm Springs and they took me to a nice restaurant in Palm Springs for a lovely dinner. I left the dog in the van, the weather was quite chilly, and she did really great. 

This morning Miss Vivien Butterfly and I got going early to Joshua Tree National Park. Since this was day two for me, it meant hiking. The rule at National Parks is that dogs are allowed on roads, parking lots, and picnic areas. They're also allowed 100 ft from any of those places. Since Joshua Tree has most of its sites within 100 ft of the parking lot, is Vivien was able to see some things.

I did a little bit of hiking. I can leave the dog and the bird for about an hour hour and a half without any problems. 

Joshua Tree National Park you're very unique landscape. It's very rocky with super large rocks. Since this is not my first time here, I think I've had enough of Joshua Tree for quite some time. 

Until tomorrow...

11/15/2024

Crystal day at Joshua Tree National park. But first I dropped the dog off at a doggy daycare to spend part of the day while I drove around the park. The boarding facility was 5 minutes from the entrance to the park. My first went to the visitors center to get my passport stamp, t-shirt and map. 

I decided to do the 26 mile Loop while the dog was in the boarding facility. That way I could drive the whole thing and map out what I wanted to do in the next day. I only had until 1:00 because I had to take a zoom call and National Parks do not have any Wi-Fi. 

The park was great it was a very relaxing drive around since it's off season. It was not very crowded and I made a plan for the next day. 

I use the doggie boarding parking lot to make my zoom call and when I was done I picked up the dog and we went back to the campsite. 

When you walked all around the campground after dinner and then bought some TV. 

Until tomorrow...

11/14/2024

Got up early and got going. We had a long day of driving ahead of us to get to Joshua Tree National Park. We were staying in Desert Hot Springs at a very nice Campground. 

Once again I had to get up early to give the dog the medicine so that she would not be stressed out in the car. We got to the campsite late afternoon and set up camp. 

This campsite has a lot of amenities and I chose it so that we'd have things to do at the campground since it was a desert. Campground has mineral spring type hot tub, heated pool, unheated pool, bocce ball, kids playground, dog park and more. I'm looking forward to them mineral bath. 

Until tomorrow...

11/13/2024

Got up early to give the dog her new motion sickness medicine. She has to get it 3 hours before we leave. So I started packing the van. 

Once I could put the dog in the van, we took off. The three of us going down to Joshua Tree. Our first stop was Solvang. Unfortunately, since we stopped to buy a water hose, the one provided for me was bad, we ended up getting to Solvang at 4:45pm. The town literally shuts down at 5 pm. We walked around a bit and went back to the campground to heat up chili. 

Until tomorrow...

11/12/2024

Got up early to get a taxi to a train and then hike for half an hour to go get the van. Once again the van pick up was less than perfect. It was still water in the gray tank which is dishwater and shower water. There was also a lack of water hose. I decided instead of arguing with them I just go by my own water hose. 

But I finally got it and got home, put all the dishes in the dishwasher, wash the whole van down. You may ask why when supposedly they clean it. I don't trust that they actually clean it. 

Then I started loading things in. I loaded up all the things except valuables. So clothes, food, dishes, etc. that takes me a couple of hours of walking back and forth to the van. Luckily my neighbor allows me to park the van in his driveway and I give him free candy and pastries. 

All of the rest of the stuff and the pets in the van tomorrow morning. 

Until tomorrow...