Day 28 - Midpines, California KOA

Today we left around 8 AM for Midpines. We needed diesel so DH got off at the next exit, however none of the stations were set up so we could get into them. DH saw a Starbucks and pulled into a shopping center to get it. This is when I close my eyes. I stepped out and crossed the parking lot street and went in an ordered a White Chocolate Mocha Frappachino for my self with coffee base, and for DH, I ordered him a cream based (no coffee) Chai Latte Cream Frappachino. MIL did not want anything. When I looked outside while waiting for the beverages to be created. The motorhome was traveling down one of the aisles. I was thankful I wasn't in it at this point. By the time the drinks were completed and I stepped outside, he had it facing the way out of the shopping center.
So diesel prices in California in the area we were traveling are mostly between $2.85 to $2.99. On Gas Buddy (diesel) I found one that was $2.59, so it was on our way with a slight detour. We found the station and actually fit into it and was able to get out of it with no problem too. Always a plus!

On our way up Route 41 we saw grape farms. A grape expert we know told DH over the phone, that when they cover the grape vines, it means they are trying to ripen the grapes faster.
The other reason would be if a frost was expected however it wasn't cold out at all. The expert also said if the manufacturer is making mass quantities of grape juice or cheap wine, they will follow this practice too.

We noticed as we were driving that the vegetation was brown or golden instead of green. Areas near the road were obviously charred in many locations probably due to careless smoking. DH needed a break, so we stopped at Bravo Farms which was doing a big business. Bought some Sopresta, garlic Jack cheese and asparagus pesto with cheese. We ate lunch in the parking lot and then headed Northeast.

The Gremlin routed us on this road that was a little better than a goat path over hill, over dale, curvy turn, S-turns, narrow one lane bridges, narrow lanes with two way traffic, vehicles passing us on double yellow lines, just plain crazy! The road is called Triangle Road. Should have been called Curly Q Road. MIL was totally oblivious to it as she was reading a book I bought for myself and was deep into its depths. I guess she heard us talking and came to the land of the living. She suddenly wanted to know why we were traveling on such a crazy road? We said it was the Gremlin's fault. It actually reminded me of a road many years ago that when we were traveling in Oregon during a forest fire. Only that time, we also needed gas and it routed us away from the Interstates which have all the travel amenities. That trip, it seemed like all of Oregon was burning although it really wasn't, just everywhere we were traveling. I really don't want to repeat the experience thank you! What I noticed was a scary sign at a fire station that had a half dial with an arrow that could be moved from No Fire Danger all the way to Catastrophic Fire Danger! Well this sign for this area was right in the middle between Severe Fire Danger and Catastrophic Fire Danger.

If I hadn't decided to go to Yosemite National Park, we would have been traveling today across to Lake Mead, NV which was the plan before this one. Today and tomorrow the whole area we would have been driving through is under a Wind Warning & a Red Flag Warning with conditions for spontaneous combustion of the grassland area due to dry high winds with little to no humidity. Also I might add, 35-45 mph sustained winds with 65 mph gusts, blowing sand and difficulty driving high profile vehicles. So we dodged a bullet at the moment.

Another thing I noticed was there were whole sections of the pine forests with dead trees. Not burned, just dead from most likely drought or disease. All the grasses we're golden brown too. Rivers and creeks were all dry.

We finally made it to the Yosemite KOA in Midpines, CA. Our motorhome  is way to big for the campsites in Yosemite. Biggest site is 27' which is the size of our very first motorhome. We are off of Route 140 near the Arch Rock Entrance of Yosemite National Park.

The air here is cool and crisp. We will probably be using the heater tonight. I wasn't thinking my clothing straight when I planned this trip as I didn't pack DH or myself any jackets. We do have sweatshirts and jeans. I have no idea if MIL brought a jacket or not?
Temperature tonight is expected to go down to 39 degrees F with a high tomorrow of 61.