Quality Inn Barstow

We headed out about 630 in the morning. Jono, Michael, Steve and I met a the Chevron down the street from my house. We decided to go north through Pearblossom and the Mohave Deseret.

Headed north on the 15 toward Las Vegas and stopped here in Barstow for breakfest.

We'll see how exciting the freeway is and how far I get. Not my favorite kind of road but I am kinda looking forward to reaching AZ sooner rather than later. Not a California person I guess.
The freeway was the usual semis, motor homes and lots of gusty wind. Rte 99 is not a well-groomed highway but gutted it thru until Bakersfield to stop for rest and gas. Then it was out into the Mojave, love those joshua trees. A little further out into the desert ...

... and it cost us $18 to get in. We could take Pasha in also as long as she was on a leash. We did see another dog or two there also. But for future reference, I wouldn't advise it in that kind of heat.

We parked and entered the outdoor oven to explore the little mining town which was preserved by none other than the Knott family, known for Knott's Berry Farm. So it did kind of have that theme park ...

... the Dam was built. It actually was really good especially as there are 29 Dams across the Colorado Basin managing water supply and energy needs. Then it was yes, you guessed it another Casino Special Buffet meal at a Casino!! !Meal was fab. All you could eat and drink for £20. Ribs were excellent. Tonight in Barstow, tomorrow LA.

The Kinseys

... an all-right guy and gave us directions down to the springs and some water for the Van.

The hike was a half hour down and a hour back, which was pretty beautiful. The springs were like an oasis in the desert and they were hot. Besides the random dudes walking around naked I would have to say it was a great place to stop for the afternoon.  Our evening was great spending quality time with Brook underneath the amazing desert stars.

In the 100s it was hot and arid and we had a fascinating drive for nearly 2 days crossing the famous agricultural lands growing oranges grapes for the famous raisins almonds grapefruit lemons and then changing to cross the mojave desert driving across arid parched lands spotting yucca plants, joshua trees and desert grasses. Flat with dry rocky mountians in the distance we really felt we ...

... in fall river facebook proxt sears lacey wa nypost horoscope dart guns of the amazon ...

... motorway, but as we arrived in the valleys we could see fields and hills covered in vines, the vivid green against the golden sun scorched hills was pretty striking. We stopped at a small boutique winery called Roche for some tasting. These wines never get to the shops as they sell all that they make via people calling in to purchase and by mail order within the USA. We would never buy a Californian wine at home as they are all a bit too fruity, but these were all very good so ...

... turned into crying, thinking she had broken her nose. A funny picture ensued (see funny picture, yes those are real tears). Sleeping was not an easy task, as creepy footsteps, animal breathing noises, Pickle snores and the cold all tend to distract from fitful sleep. Getting almost uncomfortably close (thank god we are good friends and roommates-DON'T GET ANY IDEAS), we spooned, cuddled, wrapped feet together (Pickles' were cold)...anything to keep away from ...

... at a small grocery store, where I slipped two fifths of Jack Daniel's into the front pocket of my hoody and then ran out. The manager of the store chased after me as I dove into the car and we sped off, narrowly avoiding a Barstow Police Cruiser that was parked at the stop light across the street. Adrenaline pumping, we flew out of town and on toward Hollywood...