Nestlé/Purina Maricopa, CA

Discussion in 'Shippers & Receivers - Good or Bad' started by joseph1135, Apr 3, 2014.

  1. joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    The Highway To Hell.
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    Wow. Just wow. There's a lot of good and bad here. First, the bad. To get here you have to come off I-5 and head out on CA166. Then turn right on Elkhorn Grade Rd. Sounds simple right?? Not a chance. It's a one lane mountain road. I'm not even close to kidding. Keep your radio on and see of anyone is coming back down. Then you turn right on Golden Cat, you're literally driving through the desert. Fun fun!!!! The guard isn't exactly friendly. They do take their time loading you. There's a scale on the premises, these loads are heavy. The plus side, the area is absolutely beautiful, it's a different kind of scenery than your usual place. They do have a restroom/driver break area as well. Then you have to head back down the one lane mountain road......
     
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  3. cabwrecker

    cabwrecker The clutch wrecker

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    Just checked on the facility on google earth.
    You ain't kidding! Out of all the places they could've put this facility, they put it on a mountain? Seriously? Is this the proving grounds for the new nestle nerve agents? Is it an evil scientists lair?

    Good Lord, leave it to the Swiss.
     
    joseph1135 Thanks this.
  4. seamallowance

    seamallowance Medium Load Member

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    Dec 1, 2012
    Sacramento, CA
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    It's generally not a bad idea to pack your product in the same location that it was manufactured. This facility packs absorbent clay-like material, AKA "kitty litter", which they mine from the ground here. It was producing kitty litter long before Purina bought it.
     
  5. joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    The Highway To Hell.
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    Just because you use the product doesn't mean you need to stick up for them, it's not like it's cat nip..... Bad cat! Ha ha
     
  6. seamallowance

    seamallowance Medium Load Member

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    Sacramento, CA
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    Too bad you don't get to drive beyond that location. 166 @ 33, the surrounding area and the Cuyama Valley is beautiful. You're right near the Las Padres National Forest, though the area around Maricopa has less charm than the Moon.
     
  7. joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    The Highway To Hell.
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    I drove through some of it, I think. I took the long way to 5.
     
  8. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

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    Well 166 is a real pretty ride---used it for years after loading in/around Santa Maria--was even lucky enough to get loaded early enuff to get all the way across in daylight---Lmao
     
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  9. joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    The Highway To Hell.
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    [video=youtube_share;YHc8cfLoTCI]http://youtu.be/YHc8cfLoTCI[/video]

    not me but I found this on YouTube. This is how you get there lol.
     
  10. NYSuperTrucker

    NYSuperTrucker Light Load Member

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    Twin Cities MN
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    I just google-mapped it....interesting location for sure. When you turned off Elkhorn Grade Rd, was Nestle's "driveway" into their plant all up hill?
     
  11. seabring

    seabring Road Train Member

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    I'm pretty sure I used to come that way as well 'olhand. Sounds familiar. Would have to check the map was either there or a bit further north to Santa margarita then east on the 58 to Buttonwillow? Not too sure, been a while now since I was down that way.
     
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