Up until now, I usually made it a point to stay off the major Interstates, but a few things have changed recently.  1)  I don’t need to eat up mileage for my service appointment.  2)  My tires are wearing out and I will need some ‘soon’  3)  It’s too hot to spend time on the road unless you have to be.

Another lazy start this morning.  Up at 7:30, but didn’t really get on the road until 9am.  I did manage to speak to Services Canada about my employment insurance.  Sounds like I don’t get any payments – the waiting period started just as I started this trip.   At least I don’t have to file any more reports  until I get back into Canada.

Decided to make a detour to visit Joshua Tree National Park.  Wasn’t that far out of my way if I were to take I-10.  It was nice to see a working windfarm on my way there – but with so much traffic, I didn’t stop to take any pictures.

Joshua Tree Park itself was really quite nice.   Border of 2 deserts and some fault lines, it’s very pretty.  Took a short hike through Hidden Valley.   Very much made me wish I had come here in the spring when the desert is blooming.  That and I had the skills/equipment to do some climbing.

Joshua Tree National Park

Hidden Valley

The rocks make me think of World of Warcraft.  I kind of hope/expect the rocks to rise up as golems and start attacking me.   Realization that in motorcycle pans and boots, I wasn’t likely to make good time.   Our toons do so much running in that game, they must be in great shape.

Lookout at the San Andreas fault.

Cholla Cactus Garden – nasty plants.  Barbed spines that break off.

But pretty!

Leaving the park, the bike registered 42C on I-10 towards Phoenix.  Had to cool down at gas stops and even took a nap in the shade at a rest stop.  Didn’t really eat all day – had some beef jerky and a can of vienna sausages with lots and lots of water.  So as I approached Phoenix, I saw signs for ‘Cracker Barrel’.  That brought back memories of Knott’s Berry Farm as a child.   We got there so late the park was closed and we still had to grab a bite to eat.   Cracker Barrel was across the street and we got in just before the kitchen closed and all I remember was the t-bone steak.  Since I was uncomfortably hot anyway, I stopped for iced tea, ribeye and some sides.  Solid meal for the day…

Even after dark, it stays in the high 30’s.   Ridiculous.   I’m very much not used to the sun setting so early during the summer.   I’m expecting to have another 2h of light, but the sun sets and I’m stuck in the dark… I’m not even going to bother with a tent tonight.  Hopefully the spiders I saw earlier don’t bother me…