On the road by 9:30am after filling up with gas at $3.87per gallon which is much cheaper than Los Angeles where we have been paying $4.29 p/l. Drove back down towards Barstow where we arrived for lunch at McDonalds Barstow Station on Main St (route 66). From Barstow we travelled across to Bakersfield, firstly through desert, then when we hit the hills, lush rolling hills, a big contrast. Checked in to our hotel, Holiday Inn Express, south of town. We have an acquaintance in Bakersfield so decided to give him a call him to see if he was free to meet with us. He and his father were wonderful hosts and showed us their magnificent collection of cars and toys and treated us to a brilliant batch of home brew, a great night.