We got on the road yesterday a little after 11 and drove behind the mountains to Victorville, and then down to Yucca Valley. The road was two lane most of the way and not very smooth. After Yucca Valley we descended into Palm Springs where there are now a gazillion windmill generators. We stayed on I10 until Indio where we took Highway 111 down the eastern side of the Salton Sea.
We stopped first at a state recreation area but they wanted $17 for no hookups. Then we tried a couple RV resorts north of Niland but they both wanted over $30 a night. So, we drove into Niland and out to Slab City. On the edge of town we waited at least 15 minutes for the slowest, longest freight train I have ever seen.
Slab City is about three miles east of Niland. It is an abandoned military base that now only has some concrete slabs. RV boondockers have taken the place over. We have heard conflicting reports about the place and our opinion is that it is mostly populated by people who are down on their luck, living free. It has a sense of permanence about it since most of the people there are permanent residents in their older RV’s. I don’t think it is a dangerous place, but there are certainly some characters there. I am betting some of them did/do a lot of drugs at some time in their life.
It was fine for one night, but it is not a place I would spend any time. Unlike Quartzsite this place has junk everywhere. Obviously a different class of people from Quartzsite or Imperial Dam.
Today we drove down to Yuma. As we passed through some of the towns in the Imperial Valley we noticed that many of them have really gone downhill since we used to come this way many years ago. I have no idea why that has happened since there is still a great deal of agriculture in the area. Maybe all the people with any money have moved to the larger towns like El Centro.
We are staying in an RV park located right on the Colorado River. It is an older place, but OK. The winter visitor surge is just starting, but most people do not arrive until January. This park is more than half empty.
We will be here for a few days. We plan to check out the Mexican dentistry in Algadones. Many people think it is every bit as good as what we get in the states, but about 1/3 the cost. Since we no longer have dental insurance it should save us some money.
I remember before the interstate highway system we always used to drive by the Salton Sea on our way from Tucson to LA. Maybe the interstate taking traffic away is why those towns now don't look so good.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that a lot of people get dentistry done in Mexico, with apparently good results. Sounds a little scary, but I guess if you choose the right clinic you should be OK.
What is your itinerary? Are you making a leisurely pace across the desert to arrive back in Denton just before Thanksgiving?
ReplyDeleteI thought Dad was interested in checking out a Mexican dentist for a set a plates made in Mexico one time, wasn't he? Seems like he knew someone who had gotten theirs there.
Yes, Dad did get his second set of teeth in Mexico, and they were equal to or better than his third set. I have no memory of the dentist's name, but know that he had the impression made in the morning, and about 3:00 PM, after siesta time, they were ready for him.
ReplyDeleteOf course, he never did go back for any sore spots--just took his trusty jack knife and whittled until the could wear them. I went back every other day for weeks when I got my last ones.
What route are you taking east? The last week or two we have had absolutely perfect weather.