Day Thirty Eight

Oakhurst, CA to Rohnert Park, CA

248 miles

Today’s travel to Rohnert Park was going to take us towards Oakland and San Francisco.  Our camper, tow bar and Jeep have a total overall length of 50 feet, so we elected to skirt around those larger cities, and take more of the secondary roads.

It was really interesting how in a couple of hours how much the landscape and terrain changed.  We started out with densely wooded steep inclines and turns.  The camper was constantly changing gears in order to maintain our speed.  I decided that it was not the time to ask Chuck to stop so I could gather up some of the beautiful cones from the sugar pine trees that were along the roadside.  Many were at least eight inches in length and five inches in diameter.

Shortly, the landscape turned very barren. So much of the ranch land was now just now parched and abandon cattle chutes were frequent sites. Not very often do you find cattle being hayed in the first part of June.  The amber alert signs on the highway caution people of water usage because of the severe drought this part of the country is having.  It was more that apparent here.

I found it very interesting how ranches and windmill companies have found a way to coexist together in today’s world.

Not long after, the countryside turned to miles and miles of groves.  As far as you could see in any direction, it was green and vibrant.  It must take tremendous planning and scheduling to organize the timing of the ripening of the fruit and the labor needed to harvest the crops.

As we neared the larger city of Stockton, it was very impressive to see the beautiful bushes planted along the median strip.  It is very common to see the roadsides outlined with them as well.

I think we have found the new mosquito of the west coast.  These rental RV campers are everywhere we travel.

We were introduced to California's state flower, the poppy, which I happened to see again today.  The orange-yellow color of the very dainty blossom is simply magnificent.

 

Off to explore the wineries in the Sonoma Valley tomorrow.

J