View of Allensworth State Historic Park, southern Central Valley of California |
I've always encountered heavy winds in the region from Wells, NV to about Pocatello. This time was no different; it just happened in the southern California desert. There were several days of high wind advisories on Hwy 58 from the north side of Tehachapi Pass to Baker, CA. RVs were advised not to drive it, and I did hear one semi-truck flipped. I know my RV is light and doesn't handle wind well, so I had a few days in the south end of the Central Valley after leaving Coarsegold.
Col. Allensworth Historic State Park made a good stop-over. The town is the only one in California founded, built and governed by African Americans. Col Allensworth, born a slave, served in the Union Army. At the time of his retirement, he was the highest ranking officer of color ever. He invited fellow soldiers to join him in the establishment of this town. It had a school, library, stores, church, barber shop, bakery, and hotel. And it thrived for awhile. Then the railroad, which had stopped there, chose to make nearby Earlimart its rail center for the immediate farm county. That, and issues with water rights, brought the town into decline. The state park has restored and rebuilt some of the buildings.
Staying there also made a dinner get together with Chris' sister, Debbie and brother-in-law John possible. They live in Poerterville. Good chance to get caught up. Another night was spent in the Elks lot in Wasco. If you have seen the movie "McFarland" with Kevin Costner you will have a feel for the small valley towns like Earlimart, Wasco, and Pixley and McFarland. Although that one is set in the late 50's, early 60's, they are still small farm communities with strong Hispanic ties.
When the winds finally died I had an easy crossing. Lunch at the Mad Greek's in Baker (the roasted eggplant rolls stuffed with feta were great). I had such an early start, almost no traffic, that I had plenty of time to continue on to Mesquite, NV for a night of free parking in a casino lot. Tonight I write from Beaver, UT where it will be about 34 degrees tonight. That will sound cold to some of you, but it will be good preparation for Yellowstone which will be even colder when I arrive. Its 23 degrees there tonight.
This rock is probably 75 to 100 feet long. Only a portion is shown here. |
Abandoned house in Beaver Utah. The clouds moved in before I returned with my camera so the highest snow covered peak in the distance is hidden. But even the lower mountains still have a lot of snow |
3 comments:
Have a safe trip! We loved taking your photo morning trip in Yellowstone!
Good to get caught up on your travels. Hope you have a great summer in Yellowstone. It is currently 95 degrees in Loomis where we're staying ,,(near Sacramento). We have an Alaskan cruise planned for the last week in July. Hope to leave the MH in Chimacum. Keep us posted.
Good to get caught up on your travels. Hope you have a great summer in Yellowstone. It is currently 95 degrees in Loomis where we're staying ,,(near Sacramento). We have an Alaskan cruise planned for the last week in July. Hope to leave the MH in Chimacum. Keep us posted.
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