Travels Through The Original Disneyland

I got an early start out of Panguitch, Utah and had planned to just blast down the Interstate to Chula Vista. But, being easily distracted by the many route possibilities here, I detoured north of Vegas to visit Valley of Fire State Park and Lake Mead. Valley of Fire is dramatic due to the brilliant red color of the rock outcroppings amidst all the brown desert. The day was overcast so the pictures really don't do the contrast justice.

After passing through the park, one enters Lake Mead Recreational Area which runs along Lake Mead to Hoover Dam. The going was slow due to a massive road rebuilding project but I was able to scope out a number of stealth camping locations for future trips.

I had to skirt the hell that is now Henderson and Las Vegas. My daughter and I came through here in the mid-90's and there was nothing here but desert. It's nothing but casino's, strip malls and housing developments that may define what "slumburbia" will ultimately look like.

From here on, I travelled I-15 across California. Once you leave Nevada, you cross the Mojave National Preserve which is miles and miles of open desert. I find it beautiful country because of the desolation.

It went downhill from there as I entered the sprawl that surrounds LA and San Diego. I hit rush hour just north of San Diego and I seriously cannot imagine doing that drive every day.

Thank goodness for GPS because it did lead me to the KOA I am staying in near Chula Vista. After dumping my gear, I headed into town and had a most excellent pizza and adult beverage.

I am here until Saturday getting some logistical stuff done for the trip. I am serving as the mechanic this time which I know scares the hell out of Mark at HC. I can wrench but I wasn't born with the innate mechanical ability that people like Mark have. Some of the new technology confounds me, especially that carbon stuff!! As my dear old dad used to say - "if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit".

I'm not dragging the laptop on the ride but I may post photos and comments from my phone.

Cheers