Travel Day from Bakersfield to Stockton, California - Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Orange Grove RV Resort in Bakersfield, California was in our rear-view mirror by  7:15 am. Garmin insisted we take CA-99 north instead of I-5. It has been many years since we took CA-99. Back then, there were stoplights in all the small towns. Now it is all freeway! The drive was pleasant and not too crowded. 

We have had to adjust our driving speed in California. All vehicles towing trailers are limited to 55 mph on the highways. It helped bring our miles per gallon from 9.6 to 10 mpg to 12 mpg!

Everything went smoothly until two miles out from the RV park where we are staying for the next three nights. The road was bumpy. Tree roots under the pavement tweaked our chassis and Bob pulled over because smoke was pouring out from under the back tires on the 5th wheel.

[NOTE: This was reminiscent of the evening our leaf spring weld broke when we were on I-10 in El Paso a few years ago. We had to limp off the freeway with a police and fire truck escort to a big parking lot under an overpass. In the morning, we needed a welder to lift and fix our 5th-wheel suspension.] 

In today's episode, the RV park was two miles down the road. We went very slowly because the 5th wheel body had dropped down and rubbed on the tires, causing thick white smoke. 

At the RV park, Bob crawled under the 5th wheel and took photos of the problem. This was a different problem. The 5th wheel was still down on the tires, but this time a bolt broke. Long story short, Bob called mobile RV repair people and we think the problem can be fixed in the next couple of days. (We have a campsite reservation until Friday morning.)

The RV park is beautiful and our view of the San Joaquin River out the back window is awesome. We've stayed here a couple of times before. 

Our site, #15.

This park is not full in the summertime!

We are backed up to the San Joaquin River
in Stockton, California.

Natchez Crepe Myrtle.

A tugboat on the San Joaquin River.

A view of the San Joaquin River from 
behind our 5th wheel. You can see other
crepe myrtles in the RV park.

Empty sites next to us.

My aunt and cousin live nearby. We are going to my cousin Kristin's home tonight for dinner and maybe a dip in the pool. My 95-year-old Aunt Genie, Kristin's husband Rudy, and her son Matthew will also be there. Matthew brought his dog, Parker. We also met Kristin and Rudy's cat, Lance.

Dinner was sockeye salmon, asparagus, rustic bread, and angel food cake with berries and whipped cream for dessert. Aunt Genie is doing great at 95 and still works in her yard. Rudy is retired. Kristin works as an accountant. The evening was wonderful. We will see them again on Thursday.

Bob and Aunt Genie.

Matthew and Grandma.

Bob, Susan, Kristin, Rudy.

Lance (maybe Sir Lance-a-Lot?).

We left after lots of conversation at 10:20 pm. Thank you, Rudy, Kristin, and Matthew for a terrific dinner! It was a treat to visit with Aunt Genie. We love you all!