Along for the ride: Indian Country

Since we are both anxious to be home again, we get an early start. It's a short drive to I-15 from Hurricane, UT. The highway descends towards the desert floor through a narrow gorge carved by the Virgin River.

Steep decline on I-15

Entering gorge to Virgin River

Welcome to Nevada!

Almost immediately after crossing the Nevada state line, we start seeing big gaudy signs advertising different casinos along I-15.

Passing through Las Vegas (aka Lost Wages), we are amused by seeing religious signs. We joke that no matter who you pray to, eventually you're going to lose in the Vegas casinos.

Soon we are crossing the California state line following along the same route taken by the Joad family in the Grapes of Wrath. Even now, it's a desolate stretch. We pass a modern solar energy farm with a twist - a large solar furnace stands on a tower surrounded by mirrors focusing the rays of the sun to fuel the furnace which powers a generator for electricity.

California state line

Solar furnace surrounded by a large field of mirrors

Our Navion is dwarfed at a rest area

The Joshua Trees are still in bloom in this part of the desert. Up close their blooms look like they are made out of wax paper... guess they have to be tough to survive in this desert.

Joshua tree in bloom

A long Joshua tree stands in front of the Tehachapi Mountains

Wind mills on Tehachapi Pass

We again camp at Brite Lake County Park, where we spent our first night on this trip.

After passing through Bakersfield, we cut across Hwy 46 to Hwy 101. Hwy 46 is mostly known as the highway where James Dean was killed in a car crash.

The "golden" hills of California

Hwy 46 approaching James Dean's fatal intersection

As we near Paso Robles, we start passing vineyards and wineries. We decide to return to this area another time to check out these wineries. Some of the estates in this area must be owned by pretty wealthy gentleman farmers.