Orange Grove RV Park | Kaweah Park Resort

Sunday - 15 May 2005 - Three Rivers, California: We finally left Palm Springs! A month is probably enough of gourmet dining, palm trees, warm sun, good friends, golfing and 50-amp service. A girl could become spoiled!

Yesterday we drove from Palm Springs to Bakersfield and overnighted at the fun and convenient Orange Grove RV Park. The Orange Grove RV Park is actually built in the middle of an orange grove and campers are welcome to all the fruit they desire. (Sadly, it is not orange season now.) We pulled-in right behind our twin coach! No kidding, the couple in front of us have an Intrigue with the same paint scheme. The inside of theirs is quite different, since it has three slide rooms and you could hold a dance inside the living area!

This weekend, The Orange Grove was hosting a caravan of ancient RV's - a club of Cortez motorhomes, made by Clark in the 1960's. I would guess there were more than a dozen of the coaches here! They were all in pretty good shape, meticulously maintained and it was very interesting to be able to see such a wide variety of these treasures in one place! Not one owner was to be seen - I'd guess they were off to dinner together somewhere.

Clark Cortez rally


Clark Cortez rally

We were going to have an easy drive today, so didn't hurry leaving the Orange Grove RV Park. We were the last "overnighters" to leave the campground. It was hot. Really hot and there wasn't a breath of wind. Highway 58 through Bakersfield is one of the worst roads in California. Potholes as big as a watermelon! Ker-bump, ker-bump, Ker-chunk! Not fun. We turned north on 99 and then followed Highway 65 into the foothills through Exeter, California, where we found Highway 198 to Three Rivers. All day we traveled past mile after mile of orange groves, with the occasional olive grove planted to break the monotony. The first cherries of the season are proudly displayed at numerous roadside stands and we did stop to purchase a few pounds. Delicious - firm skins, meaty and juicy flesh and a fresh flavor! Perfect!

Our campsite for the next few days is simply wonderful. True, there is no hot tub or golf course at the Kaweah Park Resort, but we have a view of two rivers. And since the town is named Three Rivers, I am going to assume there is another river around here somewhere. The water level is quite high and the water is quite cold. After his run this afternoon, DT "iced" his legs in the Kaweah River. Ouch.

Our Intrigue, "camped" in the Kaweah Park Resort


The Kaweah River at the campground

We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon in the campground. Very few people are here - but it wasn't quiet. The roaring rivers, and the singing birds were our constant musical accompaniment. Very soothing. DT grilled chicken, I steamed green beans and made a huge salad.

In the evening we were joined at our picnic table by a very nice, young Swiss family. They had two adorable little girls, ages 6 and 2. Brave souls too - they had rented a RV in Los Angeles and will travel around the west for three months. I was able to use a bit of my German, but both adults spoke beautiful English. It was a very international meeting too, as DT served Japanese beer. Auntie Terry keeps a good supply of games and crayons, etc., and the two girls had fun with the Disney Princesses coloring book. Mommy & Daddy checked their email on my computer! We chatted about their plans, looked over maps and asked how they found Americans. They said Americans are "so helpful", and were so surprised about the results of the last Presidential election because every person they have met said "I voted for Kerry". Needless to say, we are now out of beer.

RV Park: Kaweah Park Resort