APPROACHING THE SACRAMENTO METRO AREA

When I turned on the radio this morning, I heard a familiar voice: Donna Apidone, the host of Morning Edition on Capital Public Radio, the Sacramento metro area NPR station. Good morning, again, Donna!

Before we moved out of West Sacramento when we began fulltiming, my weekdays began every morning at 5 am, listening to Donna announce the local news. Hearing her voice again means we're back - to family, friends, the dentist, the doctor, and all the well-known shops and restaurants. Toss the maps - we don't need 'em now.

In the six years we have been traveling, we've returned to Sacramento twice a year (except 2008, when medical issues intervened), in spring and in November. To me, the springtime visit marks the end of our winter travels; the November visit marks the end of summer's travels. Parked here at the Lodi Elks Lodge (click here to read our review and see additional photos) for a few nights, our winter travels are winding down.

A couple of weeks ago, we were in the arid and relatively barren southwestern desert - now we are surrounded by green fields, blooming orchards, and budding vineyards. April is a beautiful time in central California, and our drives during these last couple weeks of travel have been eye-poppers.

Above: Hiking in Fremont Peak State Park	Above: Blooming roadside orchard
Below: Farm along Interstate 5	Below: Traffic thickens near Stockton

Tomorrow we'll move another 60 miles or so to our "home" lodge, the Placerville Elks (click here to read our review) in Shingle Springs, about 5 miles from my parents house. Next Monday, we'll move into the heart of Sacramento for a month-long stay at Cal Expo RV Park (click here to read our review) - not a favorite spot, but convenient to the places we like and need to visit. Rest, relax, re-group, visit, play, catch up with maintenance (mostly on ourselves) - and plan our summer!