Tier Point Run to Palm Springs in Dec 2023: Day 4 – Victorville to San Bernardino
![Fluffy pancakes for breakfast at a Hilton Garden Inn](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53404268018_41cec2376e_k.jpg)
![Fluffy pancakes for breakfast at a Hilton Garden Inn](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53404268018_41cec2376e_k.jpg)
A little bit of a disappointing day today. Had quite a few things planned, but almost none of them actually came off!
Similar sort of night’s sleep as last night, so about 3 hours prior to midnight and about 3 hours after midnight. That’s enough to keep me going.
![A bright pink Tesla Model 3 supercharging](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53403630424_50c8914887_k.jpg)
![A bright pink Tesla Model 3 supercharging](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53403630424_50c8914887_k.jpg)
I was up in time for heading to Starbucks for 4:30am. It was chilly – wow – just 40 deg F!
Whilst I waited for Starbucks to open, I saw a funky coloured Tesla charging nearby – bright pink!
After picking up my coffee, I searched for an EV charger at which I could pay using my credit card, rather than needing an app.
First and closest charger I found to Starbucks was an EVGo charger, which seemed to need an RFID tag before proceeding.
![At the turn off to El-Mirage Dry Lake Recreation Area](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53404516430_5f76bc8fca_k.jpg)
![At the turn off to El-Mirage Dry Lake Recreation Area](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53404516430_5f76bc8fca_k.jpg)
I then drove about 5 miles down the road to an Electrify America charger, which was the same as the one I used the other day as a a test, and although my first attempt to pay failed, the second time it went through fine.
Only managed to get a max of 100Kw, even though the charger was capable of up to 350Kw.
So I was there over 30 mins. Spoke to Vick whilst I was there, so it was still worth sitting in the car.
Back to the hotel for breakfast and I overate to stretch my belly further into the afternoon. So I’d only need 2 meals again today.
![Buggies racing across the dry late at El-Mirage](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53404083241_3fd8a1c9d4_k.jpg)
![Buggies racing across the dry late at El-Mirage](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53404083241_3fd8a1c9d4_k.jpg)
I checked out of the hotel and had a clear plan of attack for the day: drive to another Starbucks for a caffeine top-up, then I’d head to the El-Mirage Dry Lake Recreation Area, not to participate, but to see what all the fuss was about.
Then I’d head down the road for about 5 miles to visit my second boneyard at the Aviation Warehouse.
Liverpool were playing at home to Man United, and I tend to keep away from the football when my team is playing – I can’t cope with the stress of it! The Vickster watches it and keeps me updated. So that was going on in the background.
![A view of the Aviation Warehouse at El-Mirage](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53403814627_57a3d99bbe_b.jpg)
![A view of the Aviation Warehouse at El-Mirage](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53403814627_57a3d99bbe_b.jpg)
Well, it all turned into a bit of a waste of a morning to be honest. Starbucks went well! Liverpool could only draw at home 0-0. Failing to score is unheard of for us.
I had to pay $15 to get into El-Mirage Dry Lake Recreation Area and other than a very short distance of paved road, it was all off-roading, so 10 mins later, I was heading out again!
So that was a bit of a waste of $15.
I was assured that I would at least be able to spend a bit of quality time at the Aviation Warehouse, but that was closed!
When I checked its website on line, it was no longer offering public access. It would only open for companies that wanted to buy spares etc.
![Quite a view from Hulda Crooks Park](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53403155407_eeaab8a5c8_k.jpg)
![Quite a view from Hulda Crooks Park](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53403155407_eeaab8a5c8_k.jpg)
Consequently, I decided I might as well head down to San Bernardino and see whether I could check in early. The drive was easy and I was at the Hampton Inn by midday.
Unfortunately, due to the hotel being full last night, they were unlikely to have a room available before 2pm.
I looked up local attractions and found Razor Ridge Viewpoint. I headed up there, but that was closed as well. Best I could do was park up at Hulda Crooks Park, which had a decent view.
Back to the hotel and after doing a bit of work in the Hampton’s foyer, I decided I was hungry enough to deal with another visit to BJ’s.
![A quality ribeye steak served up at BJ's](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53403460692_529e2bcf8e_k.jpg)
![A quality ribeye steak served up at BJ's](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53403460692_529e2bcf8e_k.jpg)
I thought it might he packed, with it being lunchtime at the weekend, but it was fairly quiet so I easily got a booth.
I ordered my first pint of Sam Adams and ordered a ribeye steak with a sweet relish, garlic fried veggies and fries.
It was gorgeous. The relish added a different dimension to the steak. The steak was tasty with not too much fat. Even the veggies were pretty tasty.
I washed it all down with a second pint of Sam Adams and hoped I could get a room when I got back to the hotel.
When I got back to the hotel, they found me a room on the third floor. No upgrade on this occasion, but it was time for a snooze after a very long and disappointing day.
Follow the whole story here: Tier Point Run to Palm Springs in Dec 2023
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