We left a cold a wet California for Arizona today with anticipation that a desert state would lead to warmer weather, but not before spending the morning driving through the spectacular Joshua Tree National Park.
The park was born more than 100 million years ago by molten liquid oozing upwards and cooling creating plutonic intrusions. The tree Joshua is in fact not, but is a member of the Agave family but formally thought to be of the Lily family. We have always passed by this park en route to other places, despite being avid climbers in the past. What a pity I think as this park is stunning, not only for the ‘trees’ but also the canyons, plains and fabulous rock outcrops. We arrive very early in the morning and already the park is abound with climbers, the rock offers superior friction and hence its popularity for routes, the cool air creates a better opportunity to climb before the heat of the sun creeps in.Driving through this scenery it is easy to find that your eyes have wandered from the road, not good when you are on two wheels, but also you miss the wild life making its way across the asphalt, notably tarantulas who take advantage of the heat from the black top, also roadrunners and snakes, so keep your eyes peeled for many good reasons. We first spot the tarantulas as we both exit a corner and see three bikes part up on the shoulder, thinking there had been an accident we stopped to check, and found a group or riders attempting to co hearse the spider off the road. From there on we saw more and more spiders making for the heat. The sky above our heads was clear blue, almost surreal in its flatness.
From Joshua we headed for the Salton Sea, surrounded by groves and beaches this Sea is set beneath mountains and cavernous water beds which if you take the 111 south, you actually ride on the river bed, yes the road whilst asphalt is the river bed, please be mindful of weather as this could quite soon turn into a torrent. We skirted Salton on its east side below the Chocolate Mountains riding through several small towns and had lunch at the Buckshot Deli in Niland.
Then with just enough fuel filled there before heading south to Yuma (no 3.10 train here). Riders take note you will need to have full tank on entering Jushua Tree to make this far – there are no gas stations to this point.This was a long day, arriving in Gila Bend at 7.00 having been on the road for almost twelve hours. Our bed for the night is the Best Western Space Station Hotel, owned by someone who used to work at NASA it is complete with a themed restaurant and gift shop, take a stop as it is so worthwhile. The day was completed with a beer in Nettos, the only bar in town, off main street it is fit for cowboys, who work the many large local factory farms, with a juke box to match the work style
Laner
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