May 12, 2005 Salton Sea California

May 12, 2005
Salton Sea California

Arrived late yesterday afternoon just in time for a walk on the barnacle beach before sunset. Interesting campground here at The Salton Sea State Recreation Area. Really a large parking lot with hook ups but only a few 100 feet from the water. Henry is ecstatic swimming his little butt off.
Yesterday morning we pulled the wheel and found one of the studs that holds the magnet onto the arm had busted off and was floating free in the wheel drum. Luckily it had done no damage to the wheel drum so the repair was simple- find a new pin have it welded onto the old arm and replace the arm and magnet. After locating a pin I was off to Mike’s Welding to have the metal work done. Drove up to Mikes and showed him the project. He got right to work on it and in 20 minutes I had a working arm and was headed back to Larry’s. After making a great portrait of Mike. Two hours later we were on the road heading to Salton Sea.
I’ve begun to realize that every breakdown bring us in touch with local folks who afford me great portraits and a chance to spend some time getting to know them. We have been blessed with meeting great people who stop what they are doing to lend us a hand and get us back on the road. Am
It seems like the breakdowns have always been a blessing in disguise and are an important part of our travels.
In Barstow the best RV and plumbing guy is:
B&B Plumbing and RV Center
(Sharon, Larry Sr. and Buster Brown)
27170 Old HWY 58
Barstow, CA 92311
760-256-3608

best welding I’ve seen in awhile
Mike’s Iron Works
(Mike Miller)
29019 Old HWY 58
Barstow, Ca
760-256-6591
mail: 29018 Arrowhead
Barstow CA.
Be sure to tell them we sent you and say Howdy for us.

Afterwards no visit to Barstow is complete with out a stop at B’s Dinner 2191 West Main Street, just of I-15. It’s over at the American Travel Center Truck Stop and from the outside don’t look like much but the inside is so 50’s retro and the food is great. But don’t ask Lori, the day manager to take her portrait cause she just don’t take good portraits! Oh yeah, You’ll get in big trouble if you try to make a photograph of Sharon Brown. She don’t let nobody, not even Larry take her picture!
Speaking of Larry, here is the big rough guy who talked so lovingly about the family of doves that live out in the shop. He has spent many hours letting them get to know him and can now approach the nest without the birds getting scared.
So for now the Airstream is back to roadworthy. We’ve been lucky to upgrade and retro fit all the systems so they are still original, rebuilding and re fabricating all the parts needed so she is now about in the same condition as when she was towed off the assembly line in 1959. But around each corner we’re keeping our eyes open for THE bus. We do love the Airstream but sure need that work space.

Didn’t I do this with the bus generator????