Days 70 to 72 September 4 – 6 (Tractors)
Since leaving Las Vegas in our 9g’s we have continued to experience heat but, not being deterred, we have all enjoyed the vastness of deserts, the hospitality of people, and the well preserved heritage of the USA. From drinking Starbucks coffee in Palm Springs to viewing the world’s largest water bombing aircraft at Lake Elsinore, we spent the days climbing through some magnificent ranges at up to altitude of 6000ft. We experienced yet more wonderful scenery plus the unfortunate evidence of the recent fires. As we entered Orange County/Los Angeles area it was great to see row after row of Australian Eucalypts and other Australian flora. All of this, as well as the ongoing pleasure of the company of a special group of people – the Tractor Trekkers – gives each of us memories that will remain always.
We thank the locals in various towns/cities who have again welcomed us so openly during this final leg of our journey – to the instigators and volunteers at Goff’s Schoolhouse Museum, what a wonderful thing you are doing to preserve the past and present it to the public, we all thoroughly enjoyed our visit with you. To Alexa at The Palm Restaurant and Bar on Amboy Road – an oasis in the desert!! Our time spent with you was most enjoyable and we were only sorry that we were not able to stay longer. We all wish you well in the future Alexa. Eric and Melissa at Twenty Nine Palms again we can only say ‘thank you’, your contribution to the pleasure of our stay in your City was amazing. Through your high ranking contact (Lieutenant Colonel Brent) you gave us the special privilege of the tour of the largest Marine Training Base in the USA with some 10,000 armed forces and several thousand civilian workers on base. We are well aware that this particular excursion would not have been possible without your contribution. You both made us all feel so welcome and we will retain fond memories of our time together. We also thank you for your advice on the remainder of our route west – it all went very well for us. To Raynelle at Plaza El Toro your enthusiasm and interest was great to see. Maybe if you ever decide to change from Security, Public Relations should be your direction, Channel 7 Eyewitness met us in Huntington and we hope that you were able to catch the news bulletin that they put to air last night – what a great finish to our journey. A bonus to this was the numerous messages received from home from folk who saw us on the news on both Channel 7 and 9 over there.
We thank those who continue to welcome us as we simply pass through your communities. To David and your little fellow, sorry we did not actually get to meet you in Palm Springs but it was great receiving your email, you never know maybe in the next day or two our paths may cross as we are in and around Huntington. We have all enjoyed seeing the pleasure on faces as our Orange Tractors pass by – after all they are, of course, the integral part of Transworld Tractor Treks USA 2009, without the tractors this adventure would not have been. They wholly represent what Transworld Tractor Treks is all about. As the owner group of the tractors we would like to acknowledge our base club back in Australia – The Chamberlain 9g Tractor Club – who originally brought us together through our many adventures in our home country. We are so proud and happy that we made the decision two years ago to bring our tractors to the USA. The American people have certainly embraced our decision and that has topped it off for all of us.
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| Mountain climbing |
29 Palms Homes in the Desert |
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| Trekkers relax at 29 Palms |
Alexa operating an Oasis in the Desert |
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| 29 Palms 938 Sq Miles Marine Base |
Marine Base 29 Palms California |
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| Instigators & Volunteers, Goff Historic Centre |
Eric, Mel and Group |
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| Cumber, Jeff and friend at 29 Palms |
Tractor Train |
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