In preperation for this trip I checked all the fluids. I also installed a new skinner valve for my fast idle system. The new valve was a little different than the old valve, and I didn't complete the installation until the Monday before I left for this trip. I even downloaded driving directions from MapQuest into my Palm IIIxe.
I did some laundry Wednesday night after I got home from church, and I got up early Thursday morning to finish packing. It didn't take long to get everything together, and it all fit in my large rolling sport bag (including sheets for the bed). I brought the bus around to my house, and move my bag, bicycle, and a few other items into it.
I left for work a little earlier than normal that morning. I didn't particularly want to fight rush hour traffic with my four speed manual. On the way, I stopped and put 20 gallons of diesel in the tank. There was plenty of gas in the generator tank. I also stopped at the ATM to get some cash.
There wasn't any traffic to speak of on the freeway at 6:00 AM. I tooled right along. Oil presure was a respectable 50 PSI at 1750 RPMs, and my water temp. was 180 degrees. I parked my bus in the Super Kmart parking lot, down the hill from my work.
I left work at 3:00 PM. A quick stop at the grocery store and I was on my way. Traffic was light as I headed toward San Diego, on Interstate 5. In Oceanside I made the transition to State Highway 76 going East, toward Temecula. The 76 ends up being a two lane highway through the country side. It was a nice drive, but a little slow because of rush hour. I finally hit Interstate 15, and headed North. Ten miles later, I came to State Highway 79, and took that South.
A few short miles and I was at Pechanga RV Resort. It was a little after 5:00 PM. I met up with the Knights on the Go, and got my parking assignment. All the spots at Pechange are large and level concrete. It only took me a couple minutes to get situated in my pull-through spot, and connect the electrical cord.
Pechanga RV Resort is a very nice campground. The spots are big and level. My 35' bus even seemed small in the pull through spot. Each spot had 15, 30 and 50 AMP electrical hookups, dump and cable TV. The bathrooms were nice and very clean. The spots were within easy walking distance of the casino, but if you don't like to walk they have a shuttle that makes regular passes through the campground.
The scenery is very nice. It's too bad that the wind was blowing so much and it was raining periodically. The campground is bordered on the south by some foothills, but it was just a little too cold to sit out and enjoy the view.
I was in no hurry to go home Sunday morning. I ate breakfast with my mother and her husband, showered, and stowed my belongings for the trip home. My mother and I went back to the casino, while her husband finished buttoning up their fifth wheel. We left right at check out time (which was noon).
On the way home, the bus ran very well. Oil pressure was 50 PSI and the coolant temperature was right at 180 degrees. Traffic wasn't too bad. Temecula is only about an hour and half from my house. I was home by 1:30 PM and it only too me a few minute to carry a couple things into the house.
All in all, it was a great trip. I got plenty of rest and the bus ran really well. I guess you can't ask for anything more than that.