I think it might have rained in LA

I’m not sure but I put the wipers on and saw a small smudge?  You know you have been on vacation for a long time when you need to get your haircut.   We have been away so long Ed Sheeran wrote and released a new album right when and we are already sick of his songs (all #1 on the billboard charts LOL).  Anyway, got up and made my half of the bed, had breakfast, picked up Arky (picture of Arky that sits on Jen’s bed stand so he can travel with us but he always falls down on the road) and headed on our hike to the Hollywood sign.  15 miles or 1 ½ hours according to Wayz.  I assume the kids did not have school or have counselors in school to talk thru the Dodgers loss.  My favorite part of California is absolutely the awesome hiking trails all over.  You can hike the canyons all over and you would never run out of trails.  The views are amazing and the hikes are moderately hard.  The traffic in California is the worst part about it.  It takes forever to drive anywhere and my NY attitude will probably be a problem if I were to stay too long.  Anyway, great hike at Griffith Park right in Downtown LA (equivalent to Central Park in NYC).  Hiked to the very top on a somewhat crowed trail but could see the entire city, Hollywoo sign (could not see D and I am sure our tourist friends from the orient enjoyed the picture) and the Pacific Ocean.

What bothers me more than anything is when people do not pick up their dog shit or even worse put it in a bag and leave it on the trail (this happens in Madison, CT all the time).  These parks make it so easy to get bags and put in garbage and it is so RUDE that the CA people using these parks do not pick up.  I know it is the residents because the visitors do not usually have dogs.  PICK UP YOUR CRAP.  Everyone hiking in CA wears Chuck Taylors when hiking (how uncomfortable but stylish).  Got to the top and an older man came up to give us the not so secret WE HATE DONALD TRUMP handshake.  Asked where we were from and when we told him we were from CT, he systematically broke down the election and explained how Trump was a RAT.  I decided not to show him a picture of the Flag (even though it is patriotic and American and not trump!).  Anyway, hiked down and drove back to the Flag (in traffic of course). 

When we got home we went shopping for dinner as we were having Glenn, Alex, Eric and Lisa over for a BBQ at the Flag.  Bought a ton of beer, wine, food, etc. but the RV camp ground charges $10 for you to have someone visit.  What a rip off.  Jen said to me, you spend all that money on everything else and that is where you draw the line on $10.00.  So true, I do this all the time at hotels when I will not drink the water under no circumstances because it is $5.00.  No issue that I probably spent $500 on dinner but it is all about principle.    

Guess what, hot water heater broken again.  This time something big as I smelt wires burning last night and shut off until the morning.  Once again, came back to RV with Jen buck naked waiting for hot water to heat up.  No go and found that every time I wiggled the wires, a small fire would break out.  Cut all wires and shelfed project for the time being. Went down to the RV park store and the people were so snotty.  I told them I needed D batteries really bad for my wife (you should have seen their faces). 

Had a great dinner with Glenn, Alex, Eric and Lisa although we did not sit out by the BBQ but rather sat inside the RV (might have been too cold for the CA people).  It was great to catch up and we will miss them. 

Woke up the next morning and made my half of the bed.  Had breakfast and found a great hike right next to our campsite.  6 miler straight up!  You should have seen Jen galloping and skipping.  She can skip down hill and also on flats (pretty impressive).  She does not run or trot but does make a great horse sound.  She is getting so good at hiking the steeps that I used to get a bunch of breaks while secretly waiting for her and now I don’t! Our only concern was we headed up the trail with the LA County Fire Department and a bunch of prisoners doing who knows what.

Back to Flag and packed up quick but not quick enough and we thought they would be charging us for another night.  Anyway, snuck out the back gate (if you call a 60’ American flag driving down the road, sneaking out). 

I wonder why no one builds OBX houses in CA?  They are the perfect beach property and look really nice also.  Everything is very modern and single levels.  Not our cup of tea.   Headed to Yosemite Park and got here at dark with one light out once again.  It is really dark on the back roads and tough to see.  We are arguing about what hike we will do tomorrow but will figure out.  Took the Hot water heater apart and determined, we are lucky to be alive as the wires were definitely on fire and melted.  Luckily it was 12” from the propane supply.  Will try and get new one on the road.  Looking forward to Yosemite but want to thank all the CA friends for having us. 

Take a look at the picture of the crazy accessories on the RV's.  mirror covers, wiper covers, etc.   Of course I forgot to take Eric and Lisa's picture (and Sasha and Jewey) so they sent me these doctored perfect pictures.   Also, score at the supermarket, we reloaded on diet coke zero and Cream Soda Diet which Jen will use as a viable substitute.