Day 72 - (09/28) Yuma, AZ

Today we took a "left turn" at San Diego and started driving east for the first time in 10 weeks.  


We enjoyed a morning breakfast visit with Maralee Blain before leaving town.  Maralee is one of Dick's co-workers and a dear friend from his days at FASPAC.  It was wonderful to share stories, remember earlier times and catch up on happenings over the past 8 years. 

Breakfast with Maralee Blain

We left San Diego at 11:30 ... travelling east on I-8.  The sky was overcast and the temperature was 86 degrees.  We passed through the Cleveland National Forest, climbed to about 4,200 ft, then descended to sea level in the Imperial Valley.  The temperature reached 100 degrees by the time we got to El Centro. 

I-8 mountain drive east of San Diego

Barren mountain landscape along I-8

Imperial Valley - approaching El Centro

I-8 took us very close to the Mexico border.  The US Border Patrol was present and very active.  We were waved through the inspection point without a sniff.  We obviously didn't fit their "bad guys" profile.

Dunes along I-8 near Yuma.
(these hills are covered with dune buggies on weekends)

RV parks have sprung up all over the place as we travel toward Yuma.  This place looks like the snowbird capital of the universe.  Fortunately, the folks from up north won't arrive for a few more weeks.  We should have no problem finding a nice place to stay.


We stopped at a highly rated RV park in Yuma.  It's OK, but not deserving of their published Woodall's 5W Rating.  Granted, it's hot (100 degrees) and we're tired.  Maybe the park will look better tomorrow.


It took a while to find a place for dinner.  We finally found an Applebee's, had dinner and went back to a cool trailer.


Map Tracks
Start:  San Diego RV Resort - La Mesa, CA
East on I-8 to Yuma, AZ
End:  175 miles @ Villa Alameda RV Resort - Yuma, CA