Carmel to Buellton

Sept 21^st

Getting ready to come down the hill

Up at 7:00 to walk the dogs and have breakfast. With all our morning chores done and the rig prepped for travel, we moved the car out of the way and pulled the tow dolly (by hand) down next to us ready for hookup. After getting everything ready we disconnected the cable, water and shore power, started the engine, brought in the slides and pulled up the jacks. When all the gauges showed correctly we pulled out of our site and connected the tow dolly and headed out for the bridge with Tina leading in the car.

This is where we passed the horse trailer

Set up for the crossing with Wicket in the window

Whew! Made it! There's about 9" from the tire to the curb

She made several stops to take photos of the rig coming down the hill where we passed the horse trailer and then crossing the bridge. Once across the bridge we pulled over to put the car on the trailer. With a final check of all connections we headed for Hwy 1 and the drive to Salinas where we stopped for diesel before getting on Hwy 101 for the drive to Buellton.

We were on the road about 9:00 and the 196 mile drive down Hwy 101 was pretty uneventful except for one second where we were passed by a big semi while on a bridge that was being widened. The problem was that we were both doing over 50mph, the bridge had been narrowed with Jersey barriers to protect the workers and we were on a slight curve. By the time I realized he was next to me there was only about 15” separating us and our mirrors only missed by about 9 inches. Fortunately it was over before I had time for my adrenaline to kick in.

We pulled in at a rest a stop just north of Paso Robles, walked the dogs and fixed lunch to eat on the road. From there it was a straight shot to Exit 140 and the Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton. Unfortunately, I had written the directions wrong and so we ended up down a narrow road and had to turn around in the parking lot of an industrial business. Fortunately we made it and got back to where we should have been.

Pulling in to the resort, we registered and got out to our spot. With the rig set up and connected to power, water and cable, we changed clothes and went for a swim in the pool. We took our books and after a final dip in the hot tub, we grabbed a couple of loungers and read for half an hour.

On our pad at Flying Flags RV Resort

Getting back to the coach, our neighbor mentioned a Farmers Market in Solvang. So we changed again, grabbed the dogs and their leashes and made the four mile trek to Solvang. Tina parked near the event and we walked less than a block to the entrance. There was lots of really good looking produce, fruit and plants but I was asked to leave – the dogs aren’t allowed by health dept rules. So I waited with the dogs until Tina returned and we headed back empty handed.

With dinner over we took the kids for a long walk around the park looking at all the different units. Once back I finished the dishes and gave the dogs a bath. With me washing and Tina drying it took no time at all to turn them into cute, fluffy balls of fur. That’s about it for today. Tomorrow we’ll spend time in Solvang.

Miles driven today, 216. Total the trip so far, 1,246.

To see all our photos, go to:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mjdolansdki