Just a quick note tonight, glad to have survived the drive today!! Came across the Mohave Desert from Yucca Valley to Barstow to Mohave to Bakersfield (but did get to avoid going through San Bernadino - sounded like an LA suburb to me and I don't drive in major cities!). Instead, I hit incredible scary winds. Fortunately, it was not constant the whole drive so I had periods of restful driving, but you never knew when the gusts would strike. When I got to the mountains, crossing Tehachapi Summit was terrifying - saw 2 trailer rigs turned over, and several RV's stopped for trouble (awnings were being ripped off, etc). Once I got over the summit, though, it calmed down and I made it to Bakersfield by mid afternoon. I chose Orange Grove Campground as it was on the road into town, but really loved being in the farm setting with orchards surrounding the park and orange trees between all campsites. Such a shame that so many oranges just fall to the ground unused. I gathered about 4, but have not eaten them yet. Definitely a 5 star campground with spotless facilities, $39/night with GSC discount - worth every penny for the clear cable TV picture! Saw my finale, then called it a night. Would like to stay another night, but worry about getting to National Parks on Fri and Sat nights, might be hard to get a site.