April 12, 2014 Lodi, California

We belong to an RV group called Escapees.  There are several great reasons to be a member of Escapees including discounts on many campgrounds around the country and RV information and resources, but most of all is the opportunity to have fellowship with wonderful RVers around the world.  When we went to Mexico in February we went with an Escapees group called Mexican Connection.  Escapees has national events, state events and even local chapter events.  Bill noticed that the western region of Escapees was having their regional rally in Lodi, California at just the time we would be passing near the area on our way north.  So we decided to add four day stop in Lodi and join the rally.

It was a little far to drive from Santa Cruz to Lodi in one day, and we always like to take our time, so we decided to make a one night stop on the way.  We strongly considered doing what many RVers do and stay in a Walmart parking lot overnight.  We have done that a few times and have always found it a safe place to stay with night security and it allows us a chance to resupply.  Usually that is not a problem, however most city ordinances in California have decided to forbid any overnight parking.  So Bill found a place at San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area where we could stay for only $18 a night.  It would be dry camping, but that is what we had planned on anyway.    We arrived late afternoon and pulled up to a nice spot overlooking the water.  Now I ask you….if you could choose this setting or a Walmart parking lot, which would you choose?   P1050059 P1050058 P1050060

We loved this camping area and will return if ever in this area again.  Our concern was a very windy area with signs on the road warning of gusty winds.  The wind seems to whip down the mountains and across this valley.  The reservoir is a popular area for boaters and they have a revolving light which warns boaters of danger with red meaning winds of 30 MPH or stronger and therefore no boating allowed.  When we arrived the light was flashing red, and it certainly felt like the wind was at least 30 MPH.  We kept the slides on the RV in to minimize feeling the wind and we did feel the wind buffeting us through the night, but nothing scary or alarming.

We arrived in Lodi the next day where the WARE (Western Area Rally of Escapees) was being held at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds. IMG_20140415_115651 Lodi is a sweet little town surrounded by vineyards and wineries. IMG_20140415_115547 We were warmly welcomed by the parking crew and parked in a nice grassy spot with electric and water.  This rally was smaller than other rallies we have attended, with fewer people, vendors and seminars, but by the end of the rally we agreed it has been our favorite.  I think the small size had something to do with it since it gave us a chance to meet and get to know many people.  Larger rallies are often busier and with so many people it is hard to really get to know anyone well.  Escapees are known for their 4:00 Happy Hours and the tradition continued here!  Each evening they had games in the pavilion and every night we played cards.  There was always someone new coming in to play and you can really get to know someone over a game of cards.  One lady we played cards with every night was a true inspiration to us.  She is ninety years old and her husband is ninety-two.  He stopped driving two years ago as macular degeneration began to take his sight.  So Minnie drives everywhere from the California freeways to the narrow roads on the Pacific Coast Highway in their 30 foot RV while also towing a car.  Over the years they have traveled across the country and I believe she said they have  visited every state.  She taught us a new card game and her mind is as sharp as a tack.  It was clear to see how much she is loved by everyone as people often came up to hug her and speak with her.  We also met an Australian couple who spend six months of the year in the United States and six months back home in Australia.  They bought a small RV here in the U.S and they use it to travel around the country.  They then store it for six months and when they get back to Australia they have a home and another small RV so they are able to travel around Australia as well.  They have been going back and forth now for three years.  This year they are traveling to Alaska and will leave their RV stored in Vancouver since they are traveling back to Australia on a repositioning cruise.  What a life!  We played cards with her each evening and got to know her husband during Happy Hours.  They have invited us to visit them in Australia and we hope to do that in the next few years.  We met many other people who exchanged contact info with us and since they all live on the west coast, they encouraged us to contact them should we have any problems during our travels.  Though it is always exciting to get back on the road and travel to our next destination, we were really sorry to say goodbye to all our new friends.  Amazing what wonderful new friends we gained on such a short rally!

Another exciting thing happened during our time in Lodi.  I was able to visit my friend Leslie who I hadn’t seen in 42 years!   Back in the early 1970’s Leslie’s mother and my mother worked together at the County of Albemarle in Virginia and were the best of friends.  When Leslie and her family moved to Buffalo, NY, my mother and I visited them there and then later in Toms River, New Jersey.  In the 1980’s they moved to California and we lost touch except for our yearly exchange of Christmas cards.  Leslie and her husband Jim live in Elk Grove which is thirty minutes north of Lodi, so on Wednesday Bill and I drove up to visit Leslie.  We had a wonderful visit and lunch with her in her lovely home and it was as if all those years just melted away.  It was so good to catch up with her and hear what is going on with her family.  We took a selfie before leaving.  20140416_150128_2 As I have said before, being able to see old friends and meet new friends is one of the best things about this lifestyle.  Some of you have commented that we are on a perpetual vacation.  This is not a vacation, it is a lifestyle.  We still have things to repair and laundry and dishes and bills to pay.  We just do it all while moving around the country.  Is it a wonderful lifestyle?  YES!  Is it a perpetual vacation?  NO!

One thought on “April 12, 2014 Lodi, California

  1. leslie

    Yes it did feel like the years just melted away. It was a great visit! I enjoyed it so much! Hoping we can connect again!! Love to you and Bill! xoxo

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