Oh, did I mention it was hot? I'm grateful for Carla (campground manager) for knocking some sense into me. Let me go shed light. Being a north country New England camping kid we just kinda 'wam-bammed', shot from the hip, camped. We would pick a site throw a tent up- boom; easy right? So, same method applied by my standards in the Mohave Desert - found a campground made a tent reservation and, boom, place to stay. Different, new and exciting spot to lay our heads, all part of the adventure. So, as we on arrived at the Needles, CA, KOA, Carla came out and said, 'You guys want to upgrade to a cabin? We have set the A/C in there already I think you'll get better rest, it 115 degrees you know." Hmm, I thought. There were nods from the van and a fair compromise with the upgrade. The decision was done, and now I can add to my North Country ways: listen to locals. It reinforces that in travel and especially in foreign places, a little local sensibility goes a long way. Thank you, Carla, for recommending a small A/C cabin at a #rad
KOA that allowed the Mosedales to sleep kinda confortably. Man it was hot, I just can't even comprehend how things live breathe and exist in these regions. Again, befuddled and amazed at these unique places. I can only be grateful every day.
Low Desert, Ghost Towns
So, my feeling is this: these places, this hot inhospitable climate and landscapes are the ones that have the deep true story. These are the places where solitary freight trains run through. There are small oases of greenery, and these interesting incorporated towns with grand plans, yes a story. Old route 66 runs by. The Mother Road, the one highway for travelers to journey on in the 1940-1960's. These towns (all town really) speaks to both old and new stories. Interesting, at best, I feel.
Theses towns and stops that are blank, holding an emptiness for us to
wonder about as we pass by. There are ones who did in the past and
experienced these places, the vast open desert, the diner and bungalow
rest spot, now cut off but innocently existing tired and worn, well used.
Salt water, and palms. This hidden town, on a train line is far from ghost. A water project and a salt evaporator industry going. Worth a note some hidden off track towns are doing and planning major things. Cadiz, and its plans made a Guardian Article via
Wired Magazine. So I digress, but hey there's a story in everything. The plan, to drain/divert water in the Mojave for water to be sold in Los Angles. Hmm we found you!
We kept waiting for
U2 to show up but we then later deiced it was too hot. OK, ok, seriously, to see the
San Andreas Fault, these rounded rocks and interesting trees - all residing in one of the hottest places in the world. Yep, just WOW!
I'll finish up here from where I started: people. This trip, a tribute to Ester (Cindy's Grandmother, the one who cherished and taught her crochet). We are happy to have this journey and this was a solid driver in making this happen. How fitting was it that here involvement and teaching crochet to Cindy ended us up at an artist museum and gallery in Joshua Tree, CA, near Yucca and again hot, we observed Shari Elf's art and works. Again a nice treat to meet gallery staff have a conversation and exchange thoughts, so again it is the people that make the place but places need people too.
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So, onto sites and pines. Stay tuned as we are looking for famous people, big trees and pine cones as well as grooming the inner awe as adventures take us to northern California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia!
#radandy over and out
@amosedale
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