After leaving the border area and getting back out to the interstate, it was back through Tucson on the way to Phoenix. Evening came as we were approaching the area where we spent the night of the 25th, so we camped at the same spot to save having to pioneer a new location.
The following day was a fairly long drive as we skirted Phoenix to the south west via Gila Bend, then back up to I-10 and westbound. The plan (ha, as if I had one!) was to camp just north of Quartzite like the last time, but the California Highway Patrol had other ideas.
They had the road blocked going north because (as I heard later) of a toxic spill of some sort. So, I pioneered a new spot just south in another of the free, 14 day spots provided by BLM, the Bureau of Land Management. By the time we got mobile in the morning and went in to Quartzite for a bit of flea market shopping, gas, food and the like, wouldn't ya know it, afternoon was upon us, so a hill-top camp spot was picked out, this time just west of Quartzite in the Dome Rock BLM area.
But the early stop was not wasted. I pulled the Honda generator out from behind the seat and gave the camper, the cab,and the cat all a good vacuuming. Can't speak for the camper or the cab, but the cat certainly enjoyed it.





Gas prices have really taken a jump since I was in this area 2 weeks ago, and I was in for another California culture shock as their gas prices are much higher than Arizona's.
But we pushed on into California and took an adventurous road north of Blythe that led to an abandoned mine site. After one wrong turn, and changing to gravel and sand the road continued on across the desert, coming out at a town called Rice, which appeared to be not much more than the burned out remnants of a gas station - or something. Click here for the Google satellite image, if you don't believe me. Maybe it is related to area 51? Maybe the town was somewhere else? At least I didn't need gas! There is a section of several miles where the railroad tracks run right beside the highway. The railroad has apparently used a nice combination of white and black colored ballast rock which has inspired literally miles of continuous artwork and names on the side of the rail bed.



















Next there was an otherwise lonesome post that has attracted a sign frenzy from people from all over.

We decided (like Harley would disagree with the guy who provides the Iams and Science Diet) to go north of Joshua Tree National Park. Since it was Hockey Night in Canada, a spot had to be found to watch the hockey game in peace.




















Sheephole Valley wilderness area provided that in fine order. This was a very very deserted area, with miles and miles of sloping desert in every direction, and nothing stirring. A huge full moon came up over the mountain, which almost made up for the Leafs loss?
Morning was spectacular, quiet. Harley was able to roam without his leash, and enjoyed the freedom, and never strayed too far.

It was so clear, that with binoculars, I could see trucks on the interstate, over 60km to the north!

HERE is the place.





Before you leave, check out some of the advertisements, eh!







And, in case you are new here, you can click on a photo for a larger view. Otherwise, you will never be able to see the URL on the spatula. On the post!