Day 39: San Clemente State Beach! (2/13/22)

 This was our destination today, about a six-hour drive from our campsite in Arizona:


But first, the job of packing up and saying good-bye to a very scenic spot.




The drive was uneventful and passed relatively quickly, thanks again to audiobooks. Leaving the Arizona desert, we entered the unmistakable mountain terrain of southern California. It reminded me a lot of the hills around Westmont College in Santa Barbara. Lots of poppies by the side of the road.




We pulled in to San Clemente State Beach about 4:00 p.m., parked our trailer, and walked around to check out our new surroundings. The air here is fresh and damp, fragrant with the smell of eucalyptus and sunshine and salt. So different from the dry Arizona desert. The sites here are relatively spacious and scenic, many with full hookups.


The big buzz when we got here, of course, was the Super Bowl. Everyone’s TVs were on, either inside our outside of their trailers. Delicious smells of tailgater food filled the campground, and cheers went up occasionally as the Rams blocked or ran or scored. Their come-from-behind victory sent up a great shout of joy through the campground. 

We dined on hot dogs and broccoli (the only food left in the fridge) and called it an early night. I was glad to be on the last leg of our journey: the California coast. Texas and Arizona have their own beauty, but there is really nothing like this stretch of shimmering blue Pacific.



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