Aug 29th to 31st - Oakhurst, Hanford, Newberry Springs

Aug 29th - Sat - Oakhurst
One of my purchases on Thurs was a set of cardboard boxes with lids to use to organize some cabinets so we got at it this morning. It is amazing how much stuff accumulates over 3 years - and amazing how long it takes to sort it out and decide what to do with it - Toss? Store where it makes more sense? Put it back where it was? Of course we ended up needing a couple of specific storage containers so went shopping and found them at a thrift store.
In the afternoon we got our BBQ propane tank filled and did a couple loads of laundry at the park laundry closet. Can’t call it a laundry room as there is just enough room for 2 washers & 2 dryers - but it was clean, inexpensive and got the job done.

Aug 30th - Sun - to Hanford
There is no direct way east from Yosemite except through the park which is a very windy, narrow road that climbs to 9900 feet and we did not want to experience it pulling the 5th wheel. So we decided to go south and go to Sequoia National Park which is not too far. On the internet, we found that the Hanford Fairgrounds has camping for $10 and Terry had seen an RV show advertised there so thought we would check it out. We missed the sign for RV camping in the fairgrounds so turned around in a parking lot to head back. As soon as we were on the street again, Terry noticed that the 5th wheel looked crooked - we had a flat tire nearly off the rim. We had a wide shoulder to pull onto, we were on the right side of the rig, we were in the shade and our new jack worked great - certainly could have had worse conditions to change a tire. When we didn’t get an answer at the first tire shop that we called we remembered it was Sunday and tire shops probably would not be open so we went to the fairgrounds and got a spot to stay.
We had some lunch and then walked to the RV show. It was just one large dealer so there wasn’t too much there. Next to it was a swap meet. As we started through the few tents still there, we noticed an open tire shop across the street. Of course we had to walk clear to the end of the fairground fence (in 100+ heat) to get there and then they did not have our tire size.
Back to the rig where we got out chairs to sit out in the shade - still very hot. Terry decided to wash the rigs and was halfway done with the 5th wheel when the camp host finally showed up and said we couldn’t wash rigs - then changed her mind and charged us $5 for washing. And it cost $20 to camp, not $10 as indicated on the website. Still cheap for California.
Into the air conditioned rig for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Aug 31st - Mon - to Newberry Springs CA
The first tire shop did not have the tire that we needed but the second shop had 2 that were special ordered and the customer never picked them up - how lucky is that? They were able to get one mounted right away and we were on our way about 10.
We decided not to go to Sequoia Ntl Park but to just head for Colorado and maybe find a little cooler weather. Of course we have to get out of California and through Nevada or Arizona and then Utah to get to Colorado. We are at Twin Lakes RV park (PA) which was advertised as having shaded sites backing up to a lake. As we drove in, a sign said “no swimming”. The small lake is more like a very large, plastic lined swimming hole. We did get one of the only shaded spots as there are very few other campers.
On the drive today, 5 fire trucks and a fire captain vehicle passed us but not with lights on. Shortly after, we saw smoke rising behind a mountain and a huge smoke plume moving across the horizon. I looked at the map and concluded that the fire crews were going to help with the LA fires. On the news this evening, mention of a town and another look at the map confirmed that some of the fires are not that far from where we were driving.