Santa Cruz to Barstow – 385 miles
We somewhat guiltily snuck out of Aptos (and the fires) and headed for the High Desert north of the whole LA mess. I napped for a couple hours and woke up to a beautiful lilac and pink desert sunset, probably the result of wildfires down south. First Joshua trees, old stone railroad tunnels, and windy desert dryness. How dry? In Mojave, where we stopped at the only non-chain restauran for dinner – we were near a scrap yard for abandoned 747s. We also drove close to Edwards AFB – when the Space Shuttle lands when weather in FL is unreceptive. It was ust us and the long distance truckers after dark. I felt very Californian – as we were – like the few other passenger cars on the road – TOWING something! In our case: a Yamaha XS100 MNS motorcycle. Other popular things to tow in CA: skidos, boats, ATVs. Acton oriented people, these Californiacs! As for musical accompaniament – it’s Woodstock Week-end on XM satellite radio. Gives both Ray + I something to ponder, as we both remember who + where we were on Aug. 15 1969. Teenyboppers on the East + West Coast. Spent the night at Motel 6 (owned by French Accor Corp. and sooo clean + cheap). Breakfast on old route 66 in downtown Barstow. Studied up on my card recognition (Diamonds and Hearts are RED) – so we’re off to Vegas for 2 days.
