A Very Special Christmas

Trip Start Dec 18, 2008
1
5
26
Trip End Jan 2009


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Where I stayed
Ft. Irwin RV Park
(Fort Irwin hotels)

Flag of United States  , California,
Wednesday, December 24, 2008

We left Lodi in the sunshine and took I-5 to Bakersfield. After a couple of stops at Carls Jr. Restaurant for a quick, lunch we tuned off on Hwy 58 to Barstow. This is a familar route as I took it in March of this year to visit my daughter and grandkids after they moved to what is called "Hell" on earth. Fort Irwin....an Army base out in the middle of the desert! We had decided to spend the night on the route to the base but decided to go on in when a winter snow warning was issued. When snow happens in this part of the country the roads shut down.

Getting through the gate at Ft. Irwin isn't necessairly difficut, but they take all precautions. Which they should. Lesa and John met us at the gate and after we got through we went right to the RV park to set up and unhitch the truck.

Now starts our Christmas with my daughter and grandkids. We went to their house to heat up soup I had made and have dinner. Their house was all decorated, inside and out. One of the few houses with lights outside on palm trees and bushes!

Our whole vaction with the kids was special. We played games and video games, watched movies and ate a lot. Which meant doing a lot of dishes! Thankfully, Dustin is 15 and very helpful.

We took Dale on a tour of the base. He was able to see John's office and meet some of the men he works with. Their commander put a sign out side after the big snow storm "Hell has frozen over." That is a good laugh.

We took him to the PX to shop. I think I did most of the shopping. Lesa and I found a rack of tops 75% off and snaged a Columbia blouse for $4.

Christmas Eve, we opened presents. Well, should I say the grandkids opened presents. I had one special present. My darling hubby gave me diamond earrings! Which I love and love him more!

Christmas dinner was a festive event. Turkey, ham, potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, stuffing and yams. Friends of the kids came over. We let them eat dinner with us because he had made two cheesecakes - peanut butter chocolate and a pecan carmel. Both to die for. We played games after.

We spent one more day with the kids, hiking the surrounding mountains. John took us to a plane crash that happened in 1964. There were many, many pieces, small, on the surrounding hillsides. The pilot was not hurt. John is searching for  switches! Our dogs enjoyed a good romp, sniffing and digging.

We hitched up and left Ft. Irwin on Saturday morning - early, headed for Yuma. First stop, Flying J.
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