Day 3 -- Mojave desert to Parker AZ -- Lots of sand

Today I woke up in the Mojave and was struck by the beauty of the distant mountains. I hadn’t noticed it so much the night before because the sun had set before I made camp.

After some water, granola bars, and a bearclaw for breakfast, I got back on the bike around 8:00. I rode past sand, sand, sand, and more sand. And at one point I made a left turn. The desert was actually quite beautiful, and despite the two big climbs today it was a net elevation loss which was good on the legs. I took rest stops at the 40, 70, and 90 km marks to eat some sandwiches I had picked up the previous night and let the legs rest. By 1:30 I arrived at Vidal Junction, my planned stop for the night. The stop is nothing but a single gas station, but a much needed one. In the parking lot I met another cyclist named Ray who was going from the San Francisco bay area to Columbus, OH. He ride a recumbant bike which he spoke highly of, and it looked good to me because it has a full seat, and by day three my butt is getting sore.

I rested for a few hours at Vidal Junction, but since it was early I decided to ride another 30 km into Parker AZ where I had dinner and stopped at the library to charge my phone and post this update.

I don’t yet have a definite place to stay tonight, but there is a campground on the map that is another 20 km down my route. Maybe I’ll head there.

Update: I ended up going to the campground and it was closed when I got there. It was mostly for RVs, like most of the campgrounds around here, but everyone I talked to in town assured me they did allow tents in summer. There was a self pay station, but no prices posted and it seemed like it was only for preexisting reservations. I decided I’d just camp there and figure out how to pay in the morning. I set up my tent, got a much needed shower, and went to bed around 10:00.

Today’s distance: 150 km Average speed: 24 km/h Trip odometer: 467 km.

Photos:

The view from my camp site Where I slept Looking back on the first 40 km of my journey This post with direction and distances to all kinds of places was in the desert

Desert scenery Don’t worry mom and Maggie, I made it through the desert with water to spare My bike at Vidal Junction the bridge to Arizona was under construction.

and the pedestrian walkway was a little scary. but the Colorado River was gorgeous. The river again Entering Arizona

Comments:

These pictures are amazing! mom

http://www.go-one.us/

I bet your trip would be a lot more different if you were riding one of these.

-Tyler “Mine Mine Mine Mine” Morehart tymorehart