Devil's Punchbowl

Hunting for a Geocache

Devil's Punchbowl is a rock formation not far from Palmdale, so we all went to do a little hiking, rock hunting (Garrett's favorite pastime) and Geocaching.  For the uninitiated, geocaching is finding hidden  treasures placed by other Geocachers using the GPS.   The Hike was along the edge of the Punchbowl down to the bottom and then back up.  For a couple of out of shape seniors, the back up part was daunting but we made it and to put it in Gary's terms, "there was no choice".   Resolved:  continue with the fitness plan.  We did find one Geocache which was exciting.

Calico Ghost Town

We took a side trip to Calico Ghost Town near Barstow.  Calico is a rebuilt mining town that flourished with several productive silver mines.  There were several original structures, mostly huts built into the sides of the hills. There were over 3000 people living here during its heyday.  We spent all day exploring the builidings and surrounding area. The town was rebuilt by Walter Knott, founder of Knotts Berry Farm,  so no opportunity was missed for places to spend our money.  Garret and Justin especially liked the mineral and rock shop, so a lot of time was spent there examining all the rocks. We went through an original mining tunnel, and explored the huts and museums.  The weather was perfect and it was a great day.

Ronald Reagan Library

Riding horses with the President

In front of a portion of the Berlin Wall

We all went to Simi Valley to visit the Reagan Library.  It is set high on a hill with a gorgeous view of the surrounding  valleys. There were many beautiful flowers and a replica of the Rose Garden at the White House.  The Library was very interesting and well done.  It took about four hours to see everything.  Garret and Justin liked Air Force One the best and the geodes that they got from the gift shop.

Tahachapi

Caesar  Chavez Memorial Gardens

Train Loop- track loop is 75 feet above the tunnel

Replica of a farm worker's livng quarters

Caesar Chavez office

It was a beautiful day today so we decided to take the day and go to Tehachapi which is about 40 miles north of here.  Toured the Tehachapi Depot Museum which was very interesting.  We wanted to tour the two wineries but they only open on the weekends, so we decided to go to the Wine Cellar which is an outlet for the local wines, but it is closed on Mondays.  So then we headed for Tanlgeweed Farm, a local organic farm that has local cheeses, oils and vinegers and produce in season.  Found it easily but, alas it is closed on Monday's.  We then headed to the Tehachapi Loop, a well  known train loop that climbs 77 feet in elevation and over a 3/4 mile spiral that crosses over itself.  However, Monday is a  "work day" and very few trains come through the area although the trains are very frequent any other day.  We went anyway and it was a very pretty drive.  On the way we passed National Chavez Center where Caesar Chavez lived and worked to unite the migrant farm workers.  A very good stop and -oh happy day- it was open.  Anyway it was a very nice day even though it is not a good idea to go Tehachapi on a Monday.

Sitting here  listening to the wind gust to about 30-40mph across the Antelope Valley and right into the west side of our RV.  It is pretty exciting as we shake and rattle.  On the bright side, it is sunny.  It has been a quiet weekend hanging out with the California Plendls. So glad we are not on the road today.  The wind is supposed to die down tonight altough not soon enough for me.  Every tree and plant here leans toward to east.

Doheny Beach State Park

Last day at Doheny Beach State Park.  Found a Baby sea lion on the beach, did some geo-caching, took a long walk on the beach and ended with a great dinner and fire on the beach.  Had a really great time and managed the dry camping thing pretty well.  We also figured out how to make coffee in an electric coffee pot without electricity.  Whoever said "Necessity is the mother of invention" was so right.

San Juan Capistrano

We spent a great day at San Juan Capistrano Mission.  The pictures are of the mission, the Old Stone Church ( the first tall building in California) which was destroyed in the 1812 California earthquake, the grounds and the altar in the Father Junipero Serra chapel with lunch afterwards.  It was really beautiful and very informative.  We really enjoyed the audio tour.  Found out that this is where the California wine industry started- very important factoid.