Started the day with breakfast with some of the CSC Family as we had our last meal together. Some had already left, but those of us still around had a 8am breakfast appointment, and guess who was on time on this one occasion with the rest of us running a little late, but Valentin whom sent us a foto of him sitting with all his friends as per below … Not … LOL. But soon he was joined by those of us left to say cherrio which was great. Others had already left very early.
So with some last minute hugs to everyone and a selfie with Benedicte and Stella, Lung’s wife, it was time to head out. No time for tears as the shuttle awaited, which was a good thing, but there was time for one more hug from Benedicte!
Ricardo and I were on the shuttle, took 3 go’s at the perfect selfie to send to the group to say goodbye. We had been in the shuttle picking up people for about half an hour, and soon realised that we passed our hotel for one last time, like the place wanted to say goodbye one last time.
Finally on the road … just me and the magic of Sedona as it awaits my arrival. It was a tough drive being tired so I decided to not push it but did get to the outskirts of Bakersfield which took me a few hours to get to with a few stops along the way! With a mix of Spanish and English music, singing and bopping along, I enjoyed the view of openness landscape.
My chariot for the next 10 days!
Getting out of San Francisco saw the longest bridge and road ever that I have traveled on with the sea on both sides as I headed out of San Francisco, called the The San Mateo–Hayward Bridge. It is the longest bridge in California and the 25th longest in the world by length.
From the Golden hills due to California also being in drought, to miles of orchard trees on one side, grapes the other, to hills on one side of the road, to the flat plains on the other side.
Bakersfield is a city and the county seat of Kern County, California, United States. With a population of approximately 380,000, making it the ninth-most populous city in California and the 52nd-most populous city in the nation. The city is a significant hub for both agriculture and oil production. Kern County is the most productive oil-producing county, and the fourth most productive agricultural county (by value) in the United States. Industries include natural gas and other energy extraction, aerospace, mining, petroleum refining, manufacturing, distribution, food processing, and corporate regional offices. The city is also the birthplace of the country music genre known as the Bakersfield sound.
Where you see the car icon on the map, shows the distance traveled so far, and how far I have tomorrow. Hence the early night!
As I sit by the pool watching the sun go down I reflect about the morning, the drive, and the posts throughout the day of my CSC Family as they all disperse wondering how they all are, the bed awaiting for my head to rest for an early night to get an early start tomorrow to Sedona.
Sharon Tunley 
Take care!
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