March 1 ... late
Bakersfield, CA

Gas 2.71.9 at Costco

Here we are (see map) in Bakersfield.

What can possibly be interesting about the drive on I-5 from Sacramento to Bakersfield??

Not much. The highlight today was the blooming of the pluot trees in orchards sprawling along the roadway. If I only knew what a pluot was. Despite news of dying bee hives across the country, the I-5 bees were buzzing. Hundreds buzzed right into the windshield, covering it with a slathery mix of pollen splats, wings, bee-guts, legs and wings. They would hit with a rat-a-tat hum as we passed the blossoms. Upon arriving in camp, I got out the ladder, the Windex and the paper towels and went to work.

Speaking of “camp,” we are at the Orange Grove RV Park, where we have stayed before. A bonus this time was free oranges—u-pick’em, u-keep’em. So I hoisted a pole basket picker and we walked among the trees and grabbed a few.

Getting back to I-5, I was reminded of the deplorable condition of the state’s freeway system. Based on our travels—these are the worst in the country by a mile. Major-league potholes, fissures and a slipped slab south of Santa Nella that was like driving over a 4” curb at 60 mph. These same conditions are prevalent south of downtown Sacramento and through Stockton. (Am I in Mexico already??) I think the Gubernator needs to drive to LA once instead of going by personal jet. Less time in the see-gar tent and more time on the road. And drive in the truck lane if you want to see the worst. Just incredibly dangerous. What does CalTrans do?? They don’t build highways here anymore….so let’s fix the ones we got! Where’s all that bond money going? Helpppppp! Those lobbyists from the wheel alignment industry must be spreading the cash around the capitol.

The top maintained stretch of highway?? I-5 from downtown Sacramento to the airport. That is the "reality" for fat-cat state leaders. The rest of it is simply going (or gone) to hell.

Admittedly, a tame tome above. The bright lights of Las Vegas beckon.