In the USA

Well we finally made it, the temperature was a 100 degrees f when we arrived at Bakersfield (5pm at night) so we were hit by the heat.
The RV needed some TLC, a bit more than we expected, we replaced all the blinds, the roll up blind on the side door, curtain for the bedroom, plus plenty of cleaning, curtains walls & floors, we were able to buy new blinds from Lowe's & they cut them to size for us.
We also had to buy a Toaster & Jug, only $8 & $12 each Walmart, plus a few plastic containers and camp chairs.

We have opened a bank account with Wells Fargo and now have EFTPOS cards, but they call them Debit cards, they work at all the supermarkets & gas stations etc, saves caring cash.

Also have a USA phone number 661 444 5123, joined the AAA (AA equivalent) which helped us change the ownership of the RV into our names, otherwise we would have to wait at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) all day, but had to get a smog check before this could be done, that was another 2 hour exercise. We also had to register the RV for California as it had Florida plates, so this with changing ownership and tax on the sale cost us just over $800.

We had to learn how the RV works, power leads, generator, LPG hot water & Fridge & air con, plus using the dump station & getting fresh water, (grey water, black water & fresh water) so a lot of studying and asking question. Remembering Gas over here is petrol, LPG is propane... so gassed up $170 for a tank !!!!but we finally got there after 4 days of sorting.

At Duane's a couple of other Kiwis stayed a couple of nights Chris Hornblow & Larry, so we had a couple of BBQs & refreshments...... on a balmy night the beers go down really well.

Anyway on Tuesday we hit the road, drove up the I-5 towards Pleasanton (Goodguys Nationals start Thursday) we'll head to Yosemite national park tomorrow for a look around.