Going to California

[stumphugger]

Pardon my ignorance, what kind of routine checkpoints? Are we talking grapes of wrath? I can't imagine trying to seal the borders of a state like California could possible be effective...it's just too large of a state...seems like a futal waste of money.

Fruit cops. Hand over that apple, NOW!! Step away from the broccoli!

[eamarquardt]

There are....................................

Well put.

[GerryS]

There are many pests that threaten to damage crops like grapes (wineries), citrus trees, native oak trees, and many other crops. Currently you cannot transport a boat from one lake to another in California without an inspection because of concern for spreading a species of clams that grow so prolifically that they can seriously damage or destroy (clog) water pipes and water filtration systems. Damages can easily get into many millions or billions of dollars and wipe out major food supplies, forests, or damage/destroy water systems. It is an ongoing battle. So being asked not to bring firewood or raw fruits into California is a minor inconvenience, imho.

It's not unlike recent restrictions on bringing your own firewood from out of the area to many campgrounds.

Come and enjoy your vacation in California. It is a big beautiful state.

That makes sense, Florida has the same things come to think of it. Although there you effectively are on an honor system, only having to stop if you have a declared item...I didn't realize California did "forced" stops like border patrol is supposed to...

Yet thousands of containers a day come from China and other oriental port...yet we still have the emerald ash borer and other invasive species. We see how effective that has been. I could start ranting now, but won't....

[Socal Tom]

The don't confiscate your fruit. If it was purchased at a commercial grocery store the let it go. If it was from a fruit stand or home grown they inspect it.
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PE/Exterio ... s_faq.html

Just pack fruit and firewood where you can get to it easy.
Tom

[Esteban]

The don't confiscate your fruit. If it was purchased at a commercial grocery store the let it go. If it was from a fruit stand or home grown they inspect it.
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PE/Exterio ... s_faq.html

Just pack fruit and firewood where you can get to it easy.
Tom

[jonw]

Yet thousands of containers a day come from China and other oriental port...yet we still have the emerald ash borer and other invasive species. We see how effective that has been. I could start ranting now, but won't....

Gerry - there is no perfect solution or system to anything. Don't let perfect be the enemy of the good...

[Mary C]

I own some property and a few years after I moved in I had 26 trees to become infected and I had to cut them down and burn them in out in method A circle of fire was started all around the perimeter and the fire burned towards the center where the trees were. We were allowed to spray diesel on the trees first. It was heartbreaking, The forest service came and supervised and they watched as we sprayed the other trees base with chemicals to kill the pests, The forest service came back 6 months later to check the remaining trees. What we did worked. This was a costly experience I lost $2000 in trees but had to spend almost $2000 to stop the spread. So it does not bother me about the inspection I am glad to do my part and just not bring in any fruit or veg or firewood to begin with. I think most people do not have any idea that one bug could do so much harm.

Mary C.

[PKCSPT]

That is so sad Mary. I hate seeing trees being taken down,

Here in Minnesota we are being attacked on land by the Emerald Ash Borer and tent caterpillars and our lakes ( big source of pride for us) by the flying carp, zebra mussels and Water Milfoil and purple loosestrife just to name a few.
So I am all for trying to slow the spread. I doubt we will stop it but just learn to control and live with it.

So I thank everyone for the tips on the California checkpoints, we plan on leaving MN The 28th, figure to drive 3 days. I have convinced my mom we are not going to take Route 66 as it will take too long and Pat and I have jobs to get back to. Looking to fly back on the Feb 5th.

Thank you everyone, will let you know how the drive goes as several gave me tips on routes to drive.

[TPMcGinty]

That is so sad Mary. I hate seeing trees being taken down,

Here in Minnesota we are being attacked on land by the Emerald Ash Borer and tent caterpillars and our lakes ( big source of pride for us) by the flying carp, zebra mussels and Water Milfoil and purple loosestrife just to name a few.
So I am all for trying to slow the spread. I doubt we will stop it but just learn to control and live with it.

So I thank everyone for the tips on the California checkpoints, we plan on leaving MN The 28th, figure to drive 3 days. I have convinced my mom we are not going to take Route 66 as it will take too long and Pat and I have jobs to get back to. Looking to fly back on the Feb 5th.

Thank you everyone, will let you know how the drive goes as several gave me tips on routes to drive.

I remember seeing a news item somewhere that said that the Emerald Ash Borer larvae wasn't going to survive the -30F temps we just had. We will see.

[KCStudly]

Ooh, wouldn't that be nice!

[Ron Dickey]

What part you headed to Califronia is a very very very long state. we live in the middle on the coast right on the ocean, traveling at 55-65 it takes us all day or 2 days to travel to the end of the state north or south and about 4 to 5 hrs to Nevada line.

[PKCSPT]

It would be so nice if the severe cold helped with any of our invasive species.

My son is stationed at Fort Irwin 45 minutes from Barstow Ron. I hope we can take a drive into the dessert while we are there. And the there is a castle to see if we have time and a ghost town. We will see how time goes and what we can do. Mostly we just want to enjoy a nice visit with him and his wife.

Oh and be warm for a few days.

[Ron Dickey]

Are you on your way for just planning out a way. If you are planing out a way look on the forum for folks along the way and ask which way is best. I use KOA's a lot. http://koa.com/
They offer a trip planner if you like.

What sites to plan to see Yellow stone northern route, Denver route, or Grand Canyon just below the rockys .
And if you stay at a motel bring valuables inside I have friends who had theirs broken into while they slept. In most cases you will be safe.

ron

[Gage]

Calico Ghost Town is just a couple miles North of Barstow off I-15. There is an RV park there with hook-ups. Been there and it isn't all that bad for being out in the desert. It does get a little windy once in a while but who knows.

[Ron Dickey]

Do you belong to the tearJerkers? there is as a big chapter down there Gage co leads it. If you contact members in each state they might tell you where good RV places are and sight seeing place too. no members in Barstow.
Barstow it is a very small town has a home depot and a KOA the mcdonalds offers railroad seating cars, I went to google maps and drove down the main street of Barstow have only been there twice. it is the hub for the area. Also if you have a choice to when you come make it early summer it gets very very hot her by late summer aug. can be well over 100
oh get ready for gas price shock too. in remote places you could see $5 a gal. but for the most part around Jan.2014 about $3.50 as summer comes it tends to go up.

hope this helps
Ron Dickey
Los Osos, ca