But, nice lunch on the pier in Ventura, a whole audiobook consumed on the journey, and some sweet Wienerschnitzel as extra-late drive thru dinner.
The day’s goals were to make it from Santa Barbara to Yuma, Arizona before dark. And to check out the Salton Sea along the way. Neither of those things happened.
Departure from SB was delayed due to having to get a replacement rental secured. One month rental #1 (a Ford Escape) proved to have faulty connectivity for my phone. Which was a pain even for the 2 night Bay Area and back trip just completed the night before. Managed to get a Subaru Forester as replacement, with the low tire pressure light on and upon home arrival discovered that two tires only had 12 PSI of air in them. Used my tire inflator to get them back up towards normal, and fingers are crossed that they hold. Portable tire inflator, added to packed items for journey.
Was on the road by 10:45 down to Ventura. Solid lunch of burrito & beer at the pier as a goodbye to the Pacific Ocean, then on the road again by 1pm for the rest of the trek.
Hit a ton of traffic getting through LA and the Inland Empire. It was already after sunset when I finally stopped in Palm Desert to fill up on gas, check tires, pit stop, and for green tea latte from Starbucks.
On the road again from Palm Desert and before long I was finally into unchartered territory when I cut south from the 1 East onto the 86. It was a dark drive bypassing the actual town of Coachella, as well as the rest of the way down to the 8. Unfortunately could not see the Salton Sea at all save for what looked like outlines of lights for housing off on what I assume was the other side of the sea.
Much more dark driving as I finally caught the 8 to head East across the last part of California and into Yuma. Crossing into AZ also made it an hour later, so I didn’t get to my hotel (motel) until after 9pm.
Hotel #1 was underwhelming — Coronado Motor Inn that was a lot less “historic” and more Motel 6 than it appeared in descriptions. Oh well. It was cheap and located right in the downtown area and by the Colorado River though. Brought all my packed stuff into the room and headed back out to grab a late dinner. Drove through the small downtown area and most things were closed. Trekked around town a bit and ended up in the drive thru of an old school A-frame -roofed Wienerschnitzel where you drive through the middle of the building to pay and get food. Sweet.
Back to motel and ate part of my 5 for $5.95, the rest put in the fridge. Time spent repacking and starting this blog, with Homesteaders marathon on TV in the background. Late lights out (after 1am) for Night 1.
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