The Bakersfield RV Resort is decidedly the final step home. The resort has cable hook ups for the Airstream. Accordingly, we've started to readjust to regular life with a little Colbert Report on Comedy Central and now CNN; we're still obsessed with this transition from Bush to Obama and CNN seems to be feeding the fire.
As Maida mentioned, we're headed to our Airstream dealer, Toscano RV in Los Banos where the trailer will get some much needed TLC and warranty work. The list, 19 items long, including minor annoyances like the tv mount that doesn't pivot and the countertop edging that's coming unglued to some more important items such as a number of internal rivets popping out of the ceiling panels (thankfully not external rivets), and the infamous water pump (read: seive) that poured water out of the front panel of the trailer. While at the Grand Canyon, our "next-door neighbor," Jim, from the Florida Keys, who was driving a monstrous shiny new Blue Bird Motorcoach, pointed out that he's gone through two Shure-Flo water pumps in 9 months and he now carries a spare in his "kit." He joked that he just continues to use the same cardboard box to send back and forth faulty water pumps to Shure-Flo. Despite his expertise, there was no progress made, except some fiddling and more water gushing out of the floor panel. Jeez.
The Grand Canyon was breath-taking. Since winter is fast-approaching, he crowds were small and thankfully the weather held. We couldn't imagine visiting during the summer high season with miles of traffic, crowds lining the Rim Trail, and the RV park teaming with vacationers, grills, squirt guns, and loud-talkers. The pace of this visit certainly was more in line with our style. We were able to take Topher for a walk on the Rim Trail, walking west from the main buildings and along Hermit Road (which is under construction and closed until next season). The light was decent and I was able to take a bunch of shots that I hope to process over the next week or so. A peek.
On our drive, Maida and I have already started reminiscing about the past three and a half weeks. What an amazing experience to drop everything and volunteer in a place where it seemed to genuinely matter.
The few days following the Election were a whirlwind. On Thursday evening, we attended a bonfire/dinner hosted by one of the local volunteers, Erica Max. She and her family has volunteered countless hours for the Obama campaign in Durango over the past few months and she wanted to host a group of the volunteers to celebrate and end with a bonfire. The bonfire has two purposes. First, it was certainly a fantastic way to end the political season on a high note, but it also served a decidedly utilitarian purpose; the numerous boxes of voter information that couldn't be recycled and had to be destroyed would have strained even the most burly shredder. So, a friendly call to the local fire department to give them notice, a small amount of the gasoline, and six or seven boxes of voter info, and Viola!
Our drive to the Grand Canyon, as Maida mentioned was a great diversion from the monotony on I-40. The route took us past the Four Corners Monument, so of course, we had to go. Despite the desert conditions, the wind was whipping and it was cold. But, how can you pass up the opportunity to stand in four states at once? Maida? How does it feel?
And what would a visit to the Four Corners Monument be without the obligatory low altitude flyby by the USAF? What the heck? All a sudden, while Maida was trying to get Topher to pee, two propeller planes swung by, flying probably no more than 100-150 feet above the ground, buzzing us. Awesome, but weird.
And speaking of obligatory. How about a promotional shot for Chevrolet, Explorer Van Conversions, and Airstream?
The it was off to Needles, past Oatman (see Maida's post) and back to the Desert View RV park which, interestingly was packed with RVs and trailers. Do they now something we don't about Needles, CA? The sunset was nice though. And we slept to the honk of the night trains clanging past. Even Topher decided the Desert View RV Park was relaxing. He's even found his spot in the Airstream (hint: take a look over my left shoulder).
And here we are. Bakersfield RV Resort. Monday Night Football is on, and since our water isn't working in the trailer, we just have to order food from the restaurant. Yum.
Our adventure (at least this chapter) is coming to an end.
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