From The Passenger Side Of Things

Doug’s doing all the driving right now and will most likely continue to be the primary driver.  We are both taking a driving course this weekend but even though I will go through the whole course and get some on the road experience, I don’t foresee me spending a lot of time in the driver’s seat.  So I am settling in and getting used to my side of the RV.

The best part of the passenger side is the gigantic window right in front of me, as well as an unobstructed large window to my right.  The view is incredible!  I often feel bad that Doug has to concentrate on the road, keep steady in spite of the huge trucks roaring by, fight the high winds, and scan the multiple gauges and screens in his cockpit.

Today I marveled at the rolling hills near Pacheo Pass.  Yesterday the hills were splotched with California poppies and small yellow and purple flowers.  I took some photos as we were passing by, but you can’t really tell how breathtaking the landscape is, especially around the area east of Lebec.  We’ve driven a few times on this stretch of I-5 and now we’ve seen the subtle changes the seasons make.  Most of this part of the state is farm and orchard land so we try to identify the crops and trees.  The weather has been wonderful – cool at night but mostly bright and sunny and warm during the day.  The sun on the landscape under the bright blue of the sky makes every glance a postcard view.

So when I can take my eyes off the giant picture screen in front of me, I am also the lead navigator.  I say lead because I have a team of two others – the GPS unit in the coach and Google Maps on Doug’s phone.  We use both since Google Maps updates us on realtime traffic conditions while the coach one is programmed with the coach’s weight, height, length, and width and makes sure we don’t take roads that would be a problem for us (like low bridges).  I try to beat the other two by stating the upcoming turns before they do. Sometimes we do not all agree and since I am the lead (and also since Doug and I have already gone over the route before we take off) it’s my way on the highway!  In addition to the GPS units, I also use a road atlas because I want to see the whole route not just small snippets.

When the route is a straight shot and I need something to keep me busy, I turn to whatever latest crochet project I’m working on.  This week it’s a thread crochet sacque (jacket) for the new baby.

One thing that has been a little annoying is that I can’t reach the radio controls from my seat.  Doug’s too busy to play with the controls, so I’ve resorted to Pandora on my phone.  The volume isn’t loud enough for Doug to hear it well, so I sing along.  This is meant to help entertain Doug as he moves on down the highway but anyone who has ever had the misfortune to hear me sing knows that I never hit the right note and rarely know the words, but that doesn’t stop me.  For obvious reasons I have to limit this activity.

My seat is super comfy with many adjustments that make it even better.  But sometimes it’s too comfortable and with no radio, the hum of the road and the soothing motion of motorhome, I often doze off.  That’s a tribute to how much confidence I have in Doug’s driving.   Poor Doug.  I get to play, sleep, sing, and have fun!  So that’s what goes on my side of the coach.  Of course, Doug and I keep up a conversation that encompasses all of the above, with many anecdotes about our adorable grandchildren.

If you are trying to track our movements over the last week we have been making lots of small trips.  We left Tucson on Saturday, March 12th drove to Quartzsite, AZ and spent one night at Blackrock RV Park. We spent three nights at the Californian RV Resort in the beautiful Antelope Valley.

Then a one night stay at Lost Hills RV Park – the closest big city was Bakersfield but the tiny city of Lost Hills consisted mostly of a few truck stops.  Tonight and for five more nights we are in Casa De Fruta RV Park in lovely Hollister.  Casa de Fruta is a large complex of touristy stores and restaurants.  We checked out the rather overpriced fruit stand/store and brought back some treats.  These short trips give Doug a break from long hours in the driver’s seat while he’s still getting used to driving this giant rig.  And we have a little time to explore and see some sights.  We’re finding that closing up the motorhome to get on the road and then opening it up again takes just a little time and effort.  We’ve managed well so far and travel days are becoming routine.

Tomorrow we will be visiting our first national park since we started traveling in the RV – Pinnacles National Park.  We’ll fill you in on that adventure later.