DAY 2- BRAWLEY TO CASA GRANDE

After a great night at the Best Western, Brawley (great folks there) we headed out for a long drive to Casa Grande, AZ.

The first attraction was the Old Plank Road, built in 1915 as an east–west route over the Algodones Dunes. Some participants were able to find it, some not, and some turned off by the "do not enter" sign. It effectively connected the extreme lower section of Southern California to Arizona and provided the last link in a commercial route between San Diego and Yuma up until 1926 when a new asphalt road was built.

JIM AT THE OLD PLANK ROAD

At about the same area many of us stopped at the roadside rest, and took a photo of the Morgans lined up with trumps wall in the background.

Stan also went treasure hunting and "struck gold" (many pennies) in the parking lot just under the dust. He promised to buy us all drinks with his findings.

Our next stop was in Yuma Arizona where many of us visited the Yuma Territorial Prison State Park (1987-1909), while others had coffee or visited the Sanguinetti House and Gardens, the charming 19th-century adobe home of E. F.  Sanguinetti (1867-1945) (no photos). We managed to escape unscathed from the prison.

PRISON GUARD HOUSE

BRIDGE OVER THE COLORADO RIVER THAT REPLACED SOME OF THE PRISON

OLD NEAT WAGON IN THE COURTYARD

STAN, ELAINE AND JEN

SOME CELL BLOCKS

A CELL

WE LEFT GERRI THERE AS AN INMATE,
GUILTY OF NAVIGATING A MORGAN

Lunch was the next stop with not too many choices. We stopped in Wellton at Geronimo's, a fantastic Mexican restaurant in a very tiny town. The "good ol' boys" were there to chat with us, and loved our Morgans, but there is no place to carry our rifles in them, a bit of a problem for them.

After lunch, some stopped for a date shake at Dateland, a stop in the middle of nowhere.

The remainder of the day was driving across the ever changing desert to the Holiday Inn Express in Casa Grande Arizona.

Several of us ordered dinner "in" from the Boston Restaurant and Sports Bar, while many actually went there. The French did "fine dining" at the BeDillons restaurant, but I didn't get a report yet.

DAY 1- THURSDAY- NEWPORT BEACH TO BRAWLEY, CALIFORNIA "JIT"

When we retired last night, we believed there was an "appointment" for the truck to pick up the BRITISH Morgans at the dock and take them to the warehouse. This meant that the British would not be starting on MOA with the remainder of the group at 9 AM today. However we had great hopes that they would catch up with us later in the day.

We gathered outside the door in preparation for leaving on the trip. Three Southern Morgan Club Members joined us for our official start. 

After heading out from the hotel, leading the group, we made a wrong turn and immediately lost some of the group. Our local Morganeer Jay got us back on track, but meanwhile several had been lost. However we continued on down to Hwy 1 heading south . (Video of us leaving to be posted when someone shares one with me).

Prior to leaving, we had been notified that there was a bad accident on Hwy 5 south of San Clemente and there was about an hour backup. It was hoped that it would be cleared by the time we reached San Clemente, so we followed along on google maps to see if indeed it did clear up. It hadn't, so we decided on a coffee break at Tommy's, an iconic restaurant,  in San Clemente.

Breakfast at Tommy's

Unfortunately we had been unable to text a few of the Morganeers, and they managed to get caught up in the 1 1/2 hour backup of traffic. They claim they enjoyed moving along slowly with an opportunity to enjoy the view, watch some of the Marine exercises, and soak it all up.

Once we had finished breakfast, the traffic had still not abated, so we diverted our route and went up the  windy but beautiful Ortega Hwy (where of course there was construction)  to Lake Elsinore, before heading down Hwy 15 to back on route to Julian. 

Construction on Ortega Hwy

It became quite chilly with some light rain on our way to Julian, and sadly Julian was quite fogged in when we arrived. 

Rain

Husband and I were greeted by the local town historian. Despite the bad weather, we did manage to enjoy the renowned Julian apple pie, a la mode. Meanwhile we had heard that the British had their Morgans, so we bought two apple pies for them to enjoy, as they would miss Julian on their catch up route.

After traversing the Banner Grade and Scissors crossing, we headed through the Anzo Borrego State Park toward Brawley. The skies cleared and the temperature rapidly rose. 

We arrived in Brawley after what was thought to be a short day, close to dinner time.  Many of us headed over to the local Chinese restaurant for dinner, which turned out to be delicious.

MEANWHILE

The five British Morgans were picked up from the docks, taken to the warehouse and the container unpacked. Two couples returned their rental car to the airport then took a cab to the warehouse to pick up their Morgans. The other three made their way to pick up their Morgans as well.

After making their way through rush hour traffic, four Morganeers arrived in Brawley while we were eating dinner...

with the other 3 Morgans arriving after 9 PM freezing cold, exhausted  and 

then having only apple pie for dinner.

We are all just so thrilled to be united again and with our Morgans, 

and one Buorgan (Buick `convertible)

LEAVING WITHOUT THE BRITISH AND THEIR MORGANS

It is just so close, but sadly we will leave Newport Beach at 9 AM without the British and their Morgans.

The ship arrived in Los Angeles last evening (Tuesday) and left this afternoon. We had high hopes that the container would be unloaded and hauled to the warehouse before closing, even agreeing to pay overtime if the workers had to stay to unpack the container. But alas, they put the container in a "safety area" and locked it up for the night. It is believed there is an appointment to pick up the container at 8 AM and then process it. It is hoped that the British will have their Morgans by 11 AM and will be on their way to Brawley, just about 4 hours after us.

Yesterday, the French complimented my planning by visiting the places that were suggested in the Daily itinerary. 

They visited the Queen Mary ship, visited Santa Monica, then took the ferry to Balboa Island. Some beautiful photos were taken by Christian.

FRENCH MORGANS AT QUEEN MARY  

MORGAN ON BALBOA ISLAND FERRY

BALBOA ISLAND

Others drove the Palos Verdes Scenic Drive, walked down to Balboa Island and back, and shopped at Fashion Island. We did nothing exciting, just prepared for leaving on the tour. 

This evening, the Morgans are sleeping in the car park under watchful eyes of the Valet's, who would love to drive them, but are not allowed.

Off to bed for a good night's sleep and early morning departure.

DAY -3- Monday

It was a very busy, successful  day and I am ready for sleep.

Drivers meeting at 0830 around the Firepit to discuss who would be riding with whom to pick up the French Morgans and the Kiwi Morgans. Once decided we would meet at the entrance at 9:30. Our local Morgan member ended up driving 1 French Navigator and 1 Kiwi navigator and me, requiring driving to both warehouses.

The French headed off to Paramount where they would pick up their Morgans without any issues. 

The Kiwi's headed off to Carson where we thought their Morgans were to be picked up. Turns out somewhere along the line a different warehouse was used, so a trip to Buena Park was required. We in the local's car dropped off the French Navigator in Paramount then headed to Buena Vista to drop off the Kiwi Navigator. 

There was a bit of a dent in the front of the Aero 8 but otherwise all seemed well with the cars, all starting immediately.

So thrilled t have their Morgan

Kiwi's Morgans

Several of the Kiwi's got lost returning to the hotel, but eventually everyone arrived back safely.
The afternoon was spent at BEST Buy and the Verizon store sorting out telephones and GPS by many in the group. Poor clerks at Best Buy, descended upon by 10 + people at once wanting SIM cards or telephones that would work in the USA.
The Day ended with our Welcome Banquet and a Happy Birthday to Roger.

GATHERED TOGETHER IN NEWPORT BEACH ON CINCO DE MAYO

We set off Saturday morning with our Denver friends to drive from the SF Bay Area to Newport Beach, about 440 miles and 9 hours. Upon arrival, others in the group arrived from UK and New Zealand.

Today, many more people were gathering, and we picked up one Kiwi couple from John Wayne Airport and the two French couples from LAX, which was a tight squeeze in our car, but we did it. One Morgan arrived on trailer and the valets were not too happy about him unloading it, but guess what, we did it anyway.

The entire group met for Happy Hour, then passing out of the various and sundry paperworks and clothing regalia that we had carted from home. 

The evening ended with Taco Tuesday and $5 Margaritas in the Bar.

I neglected to take any photos. I'll do better tomorrow.

GATHERING OF THE FAITHFUL

As participants continue to come from New Zealand, England, and the US, our obstacles continue to challenge us.
It is reported that the British Morgans will arrive "barely just in time" and it is confirmed that everything looks to be fully released in the system for both freight and customs. 
While we had believed the Kiwi Morgans were safely in the warehouse, it was reported that their container was "lost in the yard". Eventually they "found" the container (mind you, this should all be carefully tracked) and are taking it to the warehouse to unpack. The Morgans will be available Monday AM.
One driver from Colorado set out with his Morgan on a U-Haul trailer to California  only to end up with a flat tire shortly thereafter. 

The other Coloradan also set out towing his Morgan and did manage to arrive during Rush Hour traffic. No traffic it isn't always that way, but it isn't Colorado either!

We met up with the contingent who came to San Francisco this afternoon from NZ and UK.   They had enjoyed the Big Bus Hop-On, Hop-Off tour around the city today. Dinner was enjoyed by all of us at Scomas, a landmark fish restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf. 

Enjoying Chocolate Cake (which she shared)

And we understand that one British couple arrived in Newport Beach and are looking for a "real" local Morgan to attend a Saturday night BBQ. 

WE'VE ARRIVED

The first group of travelers arrived in San Francisco today and made it to their hotel. Amazingly still awake, they had a wonderful dinner at Fino on Post St.