We almost hated to leave Cathedral City this morning. Even though the overnight low was only 42 degrees we could see that it was going to be a marvelous day. We pulled out of the campground at 9:05 and headed toward Tucson.
The elevation of I10 rose and fell constantly. Cathedral City is around elevation 300'. About 30 miles from Chiriaco Summit we were down around sea level. Then it was up to elevation 1,700, down to 1,400 and back up to 1,700 at Chiriaco Summit. When we crossed the Colorado River at the state line we were down to around elevation 270'. In 30 miles we were back up to elevation 1,700. I quit keeping track but here at the Pima county fairgrounds we are the highest we have been today, slightly above elevation 3,000'. Its going to be cool while we are here; 35 for an overnight low, 54 for tomorrows high and then 36 for tomorrow nights low.
Several things along the 400 mile trip are worth mentioning. The Julian Hinds pumping station is visible from I10. It is the last lift station for a pipeline/s carrying water from the Colorado River to Los Angeles. I read that it lifts water 411'. I didn't find a lot of information on it online. We had noticed in on the trip west but didn't try to find out what it was.
Next was the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm. A 550 MW solar farm that has been operational since 2015. The site covers 3,900 acres. On the east side of the facility we noticed mile after mile of ongoing construction for additional solar panels. According to some information I found online the new work is for the 2,600 acre Oberon Solar Project. The Oberon facility is supposed to be operational by the end of 2023. I couldn't find anything that linked the two projects, even though they are physically side by side.
An interesting side note. When we spent a month in Summerdale, AL last January we paid 11 cents/kwh for electricity the campground resold to us. With all the windmills and solar in California, providing energy with no fuel cost, it was interesting to note that we were charged 35.5 cents/kwh at the campground in Cathedral City. Perhaps the campground just gouges people who stay there, or perhaps green energy is costly.
The big RV shindig at Quartzsite, AZ begins next week. Driving through the area reveals hundreds (thousands?) of RV's already parked all over the place. Much of the land around Quartzsite is controlled by the federal Bureau of Land Management. You are allowed to drive out into the desert and boondock anywhere. I do think you have to get some type of permit so they know roughly where you are. A 14 day permit used to cost $40. The permit provides you access to a dump station, a potable water supply and a dumpster.
Once again I apologize for my poor photography skills. Hopefully the photos below will at least give you a concept. Most of the RV's you see in these photos have only the electricity they can generate (solar or generator). They have only the water they haul in with them. They can't dump even gray water on the ground. Years ago we talked to a couple who had boondocked for an extended period at Quartzsite. I asked about showers. The lady said that they used a LOT of baby wipes while they were there.
Parked at the Pima County Fairgrounds. We arrived a few minutes after sunset and was able to get checked in and set up before it got to dark.
Traffic wasn't to bad eastbound. We only had one significant slowdown that cost us 10-15 minutes. We noticed several lengthy backups on westbound lanes.
God is good. I pray that He blesses you and yours.
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