“USA 🇺🇸 California ~Barstow/Yermo, Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner on Route 66 and More”

• February 18, 2023
• By Pen
• 2 Comments

This Was a Long Time Coming! ⬇️

Without the AWD vehicle that worked great for towing our trailer, but not so great since we could not tow it, after we upgraded, we didn’t have to drive two vehicles, and actually rode together (Nevada to California) for the first time in a year, of having The Whale!
Woot! Woot!
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We have arrived in California, and will be hanging out here, along the old Route 66, for two plus weeks; in hopes of getting our VW finished, (which is still back in Arizona) and get possession, before we head for the beach and our house in Orange Country for a few days.

We are NINE months in, of waiting for our VW restoration and motor rebuild! (WAY past estimated time given)
We will need to make a decision, near the end of our stay in Barstow, whether we adjust our schedule once again, or move on without the VW, this time. If we make that choice, we will return to Arizona, at the end of September to collect her, then. Not our first choice, because we will have to figure out rental cars when needed, like when we are in Alaska for the summer. But, we will be moving too far north, after this stop, to get the Bug picked up, without major backtracking, in a short period of time, as we head to Oregon, then over to Montana.

Daryl has a brilliant plan, BTW, if our VW becomes ready. AAA will tow up to 200 miles a certain number of times in a calendar year. Since we pay for the membership, we will have “Jonah” the VW picked up in Kingman, Arizona and transported to where we are are staying at; the campground in Barstow.
We hope this plan flies, because it’s a good one! Otherwise, we will have to drive the 200 miles in the rental car and return the same day.
The next day, of course (last day here in Barstow) we will have to return to DMV (can’t wait) 🙄 to get her plated, BUT with title in hand, in this case.

Since we sold Rusty the AWD last week, and are car-less, we are getting a rental in a few days, so we can still play, here, and the surrounding area.
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NOT A FAN ⬇️

I wish I could say the DMV stop went swimmingly well, to register The Whale in California, upon our arrival, but today was day two; back at DMV.
The VIN and vehicle inspection went fine, but since we are doing a state-to-state, title transfer, and our title is an electronic copy, we were told this was problem, as DMV wants an actual copy of it. We have a Bill of Sale. We have a verified letter from our lender, confirming the title is legit, as well as the same from the place we bought The Whale from, in Arizona.
According to our sources, we are told DMV is being stubborn and difficult, and I concur. I mean, does DMV think we stole a 42 foot long, 3-axle, 45,000 pound vehicle and we are trying to “hide it” or something? Our lender said DMV can fax a request to them (a form we tried to share with DMV) making a request for a copy of title to be sent to them. DMV said they won’t do that. 🙄
We left DMV again, after paying our $2000 (annual registration fee) with only a two month temporary sticker and still no plate! We are beyond frustrated. DMV gave us 8 days to figure it out! 🙃
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PEGGY SUE’S 50’s ERA DINER ⬇️
After topping off our diesel in The Whale today, before checking  in at the Barstow Calico KOA, we hit up Peggy Sue’s 1950’s Diner on Route 66, to decompress, after the last few days.
Peggy Sue’s is an iconic place from yesteryear, which we like to visit, when we are in this area. It put a smile back on my face.

Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner is an original roadside Diner 10 miles north of Barstow on the I-15 Fwy at the Ghost Town Rd. The exit halfway between Southern California and Las Vegas.

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Calico KOA Holiday Barstow, California ⬇️

We are always happy to get to change the view from the windows of The Whale. It’s one of the perks of living this lifestyle. Here, we have wide open spaces, next to the campground and there are plenty of campers with their dune buggies and other ATV toys, enjoying these spaces; including 5 and 6 year olds on the tiniest ATV’s I’ve ever seen. Too cute.

As you can see, we continue to enjoy plenty of Sunny days during this winter, too. We look very forward to spring and summer, though, to break out of the desert scenes for more mountain and timber views.
I’m an Oregon girl; born and raised. I love trees and mountains, but having lived in primarily sunshine states since I left Oregon at 45 years young, I don’t miss the rain and clouds.
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In other news, we got our reservation confirmation for our Mexico stay, for the month of October. That took a few week, due to an interesting process that is required, involving “our check is in the mail” kinda thing.
I know it’s way early, but the front row beach spots get reserved, first. (for obvious reasons).
We are excited for this trip to the American named; “Rocky Point” our friends told us about.
Here is a picture from around the spot we will be in. It’s in Paseo de la Duna, Playa Arenos, Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico, and will only be a 1.5 drive over the border from Arizona, versus the 3.5 hour drive we did last year, from the border of Arizona, to get to San Carlos. 

*Picture by Darlene ⬆️

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PLANNING ⬇️

While it continues to be challenging to make plans so far in advance during these strange times in our world, as we roll along from state to state, it is no less necessary.
Just from two years ago, the RV lifestyle enthusiasts have increased by 75 percent!
There are RVers like us who choose this way of living, where we move around. Then, there are those who live, permanently, in an RV, not moving, and not always by choice since the covid years. The later causes less spots available for those of us who do hit the road. So, that being said, after Mexico, we will head for Texas to visit friends. From there, New Orleans area, and on to Florida. The most desirable parts of Florida, for RVers, which are near the coastal waters, are in great demand, year around.
I made reservations for November in Key Largo, so we can visit Dry Tortuga National Park. From the Keys, we will stop in Homestead to visit Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park. All three on my Bucket List!
After Florida, we will get into Georgia to see friends. We want to try to get to Ohio to the Winnebago plant to take care of a few things, then by mid December, we will get to park The Whale for the winter in North Carolina, to enjoy family; hanging with our grandkiddos! 
In the spring, of 2024, we will head for Michigan to tour lighthouses, then back up in to Canada again, to adventure in Nova Scotia and surrounding parts.
So, this is me, continually making plans, and constantly adjusting those plans.
After we complete all of the above mentioned, it will be going on eight years of full-time travel for us.