Week 878-880 - Leaving California - Hwy 58 - 06-25-2023

Leaving California - Highway 58

We're Zonies! We left California, like the other 400,000 people who left since 2020. As we travel, we always look for new roads, avoiding freeways if we can. This travelogue is about the five escape routes we used when Atascadero was our home base.

1) Our first day full-timing we took Hwy 46 from Paso Robles to Hwy 5 and onward. Week 1

2) A second route is taking Hwy 101 South. Week 228-230

3) Or head North on Hwy 101. Week 87

4) Hwy 166 is a beautiful drive. Week 226-227

Our fifth route was Hwy 58. It goes from Santa Margarita to Barstow, California. This route is slow for the MotherShip, but between the start and Buttonwillow, you encounter only a few cars. It is lovely, just go slow and enjoy it. There is nothing dangerous or frightening.

Hwy 58 starts at Hwy 101's off ramp to Santa Margarita. On a foggy last day of December, the Highway Patrol was our escort to begin the trip. Santa Margarita is an old western town with a population of 1,259 (@2010). It is home to a small grocery, a bar, Ancient Peaks winery and Margarita Adventure's 6-part, 7,500 foot zip line.

Leaving town, you turn right; cross the railroad tracks and head into the country. "Not advisable for trucks with trailers." We learned long ago that messages about trucks do not apply to the MotherShip.

Another left and you head East for a short length.

Watch for the McKittrick sign or you will end up at Santa Margarita Lake.

"Next services 82 miles." Got fuel? If not, back track to Santa Margarita.

This route has straight sections and a lot of turns. We enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

If you like road trips, take your time on this lovely road to Bakersfield.

We like roller coaster roads and this is one of the best.

Lots of country sights and history.

The curves on the West side of the San Joaquin Valley have nice views. "Tom, you might remember this is where we almost rolled your dad's Thunderbird at 2:00 am? Pete"

Arriving at McKittrick, you are out of the hills and the best part of Hwy 58 is behind you.

But still small rolling roads take you to the Buttonwillow Land & Cattle company.

From here you enter into Bakersfield and 58 becomes a freeway as it passes thru the wind farm at Tehachapi.

Long slow trains climb the hills around Tehachapi as we cruise past on the freeway.

After a while you are back on the two lane highway.

You can't the miss the chaos at "Four Corners". Let's set the record straight. This is really Kramer Junction. In 1960 the US Board on geographic names rejected the use of Four Corners. As we have traveled the US we have seen dozens of places labeled Four Corners. The most famous is the intersection of states Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. Week 114 Per the website Geotargit.com there are 24 USA cities named Four Corners and 5 more worldwide.

Reaching Bakersfield, Hwy 58 comes to its end. Nothing spectacular today, it is just absorbed in to US Freeway 15 (which heads on to Las Vegas, Nevada).

We highly recommend Hwy 58 from Santa Margarita to Bakersfield or vise versa.

With love, Pete, Ellen and Mandy

Currently we are at our daughter Melissa's house North of Paso Robles, California. We bring you this interim travelogue to entertain you and to let you know we are still alive.

Photos from New Years Eve 2011