The Last Leg of Half Way

Today we are on our last leg of the first half of our journey. We will be cruising into San Diego (Oceanside/Carlsbad) by early this afternoon. Yesterday drive seemed longer to me but I think it was because there was not much to look at. We drove through desert! When we left the AFB we saw two coyotes just walking around like the deer did in Lousiana and Texas. We did not find out if they were tame but I did get a couple of pictures. I also got a nice picture of Pinacho Peak just outside Casa Grande, AZ. When we crossed the border into California we were greeted to some beautiful dunes. I have added a slideshow of these pictures.
So, we got to El Centro, CA, our destination, and parked the RV in 106 degrees. It felt like an oven. El Centro is in the southeast corner of California in what is referred to as the Imperial Valley. Founded in 1906 its population is 42,598 with the median income of $33,600 and a median age of 30. It is the southern most desert city in the U.S. with its elevation below sea level. Located near by is the Algodones Dunes the largest dunefield in the U.S. We stayed at Naval Air Facility El Centro. The base was commissioned as a Naval Air Station in 1946 prior to that it was a Marine Corp Base. It held many titles over the years and currently it has two operations. With a 9500 ft east/west runway that handles 96% of the traffic and is equipped with a Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System at each approach end. It also has a lighted carrier flight deck landing areas at both ends where pilots can simulate carrier landings.
Today, once we get to Oceanside, I will be reunited with my Mom who moved to Oceanside in April. We have toted all of her items that she wanted after selling her home in Orange Park and we will spend a couple of days getting her unpacked. My sister Pam and brother in law, Brian, live in Carlsbad so we will get to hang out for a while. Pam and I are very close and we are looking forward to spending as much time as possible together. Tim and Brian understand this and just go with the flow. Good thing they get along great too! My brother Craig and sister in law Karyn live about an hour away so there will be lots of family time! Watch out family, here we come!