Gila Bend to El Centro, CA

Saturday the 20th

Another day dawns as we continue our westward trek in search of warmer weather. It's cloudy and about 45 degrees out. After a slow morning we got under weigh about 9:30 AM pulling out of our campsite in a light rain. Just before we got on the freeway we made a stop to look at some Arizona Pottery but didn't find anything.

Once on I-8 we cruised west through a steady rain for about fifteen miles before it cleared up. Crossing the border into California we drove through the Imperial Valley with cultivated fields and water canals on both sides of the freeway. Then we got a real shock as we drove into the Imperial Dunes Recreation Area.

This is a huge area of gigantic sand dunes formed by windblown sands of ancient Lake Cahuilla. The dune system extends for more than 40 miles in a band averaging 5 miles wide. Largely known as a favorite location for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, the dunes also offer fabulous scenery, opportunities for solitude, and a home to rare plants and animals. Stretching out on both sides of the freeway, there were big groups of RV's with jeeps and other types of off-road vehicles enjoying a day of fun in the sun.

We arrived at our new home and got set up for a two week stay. It was sunny and warm even though the wind was blowing. Unhooking the car, Tina drove it off the dolly then helped me take the dolly off the rig and park it on the pad. Once free of the car and tow dolly Tina helped me back into our site. Once in, down came the jacks and out came the slides... Ahhhhh we made it to California and it's warm.

After changing into shorts and tank top we spent an hour checking out things to do in the area and keeping an eye on the TV for Olympics coverage. Dinner that evening was a gently grilled steak with sauteed asparagus followed by a small dish of chocolate ice cream for desert. After cleaning up we spent the rest of the evening watching the Olympics, glad to be done with traveling for a while.

Distance for today, 185 miles. Total for the trip so far, 6,276 miles.

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