Jan 27 Green Hills, Almonds, Vineyards, Oil

January 27 California towards Tucson

We tried again to get to the Channel Islands National Park, but this time they just didn't have any boats running till Wednesday, so I guess we will have to do that another time. Their schedule is "irregular" in winter.   So, instead of heading toward the coast again, we opt to go south and then east and see some new roads and scenery.

We head south on I25, surrounded by green-carpeted rolling hills.  Don't know if it always looks like this or the greenery is due to recent rains, but it is beautiful under a blue sky with feathery white clouds.

Lots of vineyards as we continue east.

On 46E we begin to see miles and miles of almond and pistachio orchards, citrus trees, and occasional sheep and cattle ranches.

Lots of the big wind turbines in some areas.  And we came across this hillside filled with small wind turbine, about 1/4 the size of most.  

 At Blackwell Corner in the Lost Hills area, we stop at a store that sells local foods including all kinds of almonds and other nuts, jams, jellies, fudge and other goodies.   They have many pictures of James Dean and bill themselves as "James Dean's last stop", since they are on the highway where his auto accident ended his short life.  The almonds are sooo good - what a difference from the grocery store variety!

 A few displays and information about the Dust Bowl travelers who came this way.

After the nut trees, we reach a more arid area and begin to see acres of oil jack pumps and get a whiff of petroleum.

We stop at a grocery store  called Vallarta, in a small town named Arvin.  The first thing that greets us is fresh tamales and lots of Mexican/hispanic foods.  Quite a few things I wouldn't have a clue how to cook!  We manage to find some basics, though, and continue on.  After Arvin, we see more mountains and cattle ranges.

We decide to stop at the Barstow Harvey House in Barstow.  Harvey Houses were popular hotels/restaurants that were built along the Sante Fe railroads throughout the west.  We enjoyed ones in Winslow, AZ and in Sante Fe, NM.  This one however, called the Casa Del Deserto, is undergoing a huge renovation, so is not in operation.  Looks like it will be lovely when completed.

 Lots of old trains on the grounds.

We stop at the Barstow Walmart with several RV'ers and truckers.  They had a nice separate lot for us.  Lovely sunset over Walmart :).