29 Palms Golf & RV Resort, 29 Palms, CA, to Santee Lakes, Santee, CA:  Left 29 Palms this morning at around 8:15.  I decided to drive, even though I was really nervous about going down Morongo Canyon again—especially with the fifth wheel in tow.  Luckily, we have an exhaust brake on the truck which, when turned on, keeps the speed wherever it was when turned on, without touching the brake.  So I just kept my speed down and the exhaust brake on and had no problem—even through all the twisty turns.  At the bottom of Morongo Canyon we took Interstate 10 west heading toward LA.  Interstate 10 was 4 lanes here in each direction.  Now we’re looking for Rt. 60 south. Unfortunately, the exit for Rt. 60 was on the left, so I had to go over three lanes to get to the exit—with a lot of traffic.  Made it okay and the short drive down Rt. 60 was so nice through the pretty rolling hills.  With real trees and greenness. And the temperature is in the mid-70s.  Things are definitely looking better.  On Rt. 60 for only about 20 miles and then we headed south on the 215.  I thought that would be multiple lanes each side, but it was only two or three lanes on each side.  No problem at all.  We’re seeing a lot of smog.  Hard to see some of the mountains because of the smog.  It’s really funny that California is so adamant about not smoking, and here’s all this smog everyone is breathing.  Such irony.  Anyway after I drove for about 2-1/2 hours and no sign of a rest area or truck stop, I pulled off 215 and we switched and pulled right back on.  Shortly after that we got on 15 south.  This was a three-laner on each side until Escondido.  South of that it blew out to 7 lanes each with about 4 express lanes in the middle of the south- and north-bound lanes.  So glad Mike was driving.  We exited 15 onto Rt. 52 east to Santee Lakes and breathed a sigh of relief.  A friend of ours from the Keys recommended this place to us.  She lives here most of the year.  It’s a pretty place with a chain of about 7 little lakes.  And we’re about 15 minutes from San Diego.  Heading there tomorrow.

Pretty desert flowers--Joshua Tree National Park

Cracked Rock--Joshua Tree National Park

Boulders of all shapes and sizes--Joshua Tree National Park

Our friend, Jo Cryder, with her dog, Suzie.  She's the one who recommended this great park for our stay in the San Diego area.  Thanks Jo!