The Valley of Fire sounds amazing Larry. I wish we could have fit it in this trip. Something to look forward to on a future one.

Wow, that place is a stunner. We didn't have time to get there on this trip so it's at the top of the list for the next time we're out this way.

Leah was delightful. I loved that when she wanted to "see something," it wasn't in Vegas. We've been helped out of plenty of jams of our own by kind folks. It was nice to be on the other end of it.

Good seeing the canyon again … we really enjoyed that ride. I will echo Scott’s comments on Valley of Fire State Park. It is another must do ride if you are close. No need to drive into the park, just pull over in to one of many roadside parking spots and cycle in. Rivers Mountain Loop is another excellent ride and do take the side trail to the backside of the dam.

It's a spectacular spot alright. We stopped in for this loop on our way east from Death Valley years ago. Another place you might check out is Valley of Fire, north of Boulder City. It's not really a biking destination but sure makes for an unforgettable hike. https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/winterlude2020/valley-of-fire-state-park/.

How nice of you to help out Leah! She was really fortunate to meet you both in her time of need, plus gaining a great conversation, I am sure! 👏

Well, I have lived a few diverse places and been to more than is easily accountable. Born Ft Wayne, IN, lived a few years in Muncie while my dad was at Ball State, and lived a year or so up around South Bend during his student teaching, then moved to Mojave, where I spent 10 years growing up, the last one mostly in Lancaster where I attended AV College before moving to Tempe and attending ASU, then after graduation with a BS in Zoology, I worked in a TV shop for a few years, then moved to Savanna, IL for a Gov. intern program for 3 years. They sent me to Richmond, KY for 3 years and then to Germany for 2 years and then back to Savanna, IL, where I switched from Ammo QA to Safety, then after another 4 years, I took a job at Charlestown, IN, which sent me TDY to more places than I can count over my 7 years there, but they closed the activity and I got a job with DLA, which again sent me TDY to all kinds of places... Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Israel and then I switched programs and did safety reviews of contractors within about 300 miles of Dayton, not to mention the dozens of courses I went to all over the US during all that time. Oh, and I have been to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness I think about 17 times since the late '80s and church youth group missions trips to Mexico, Guatemala, Trinidad... I wonder what I missed! :-)

Awe and wonder is right. Getting to know the desert in slow motion was a unique experience, one I'll always be grateful for.

I really enjoyed the story of your ride through the desert to Ventura when you were a teenager. I'm glad to So cool that you remembered our CGOAB journal from all those years ago! You seem to have history everywhere I go - southern Arizona, LA, Carbondale, surely more I'm forgetting.

Me too Patrick. Woody's music was powerful.

This looks like an amazing itinerary Larry. Thanks so much for the suggestions. The possibilities for cycling and other activities in Alaska are a little overwhelming to me. Luckily there's plenty of time to plan this one and I'm glad to have your take on it.

You got more than your share of “kicks on Route 66”!

Thanks for posting this. I've often thought of biking across the Mojave, but we've obviously passed the time when that would have been possible. If you're like us, I'm sure you look back on experiences like this with. Mix of awe and wonder.

Nice you posted this! I remember that journal. Growing up in Mojave gave it special meaning to me.

Always did love Woody's guitar sticker..."This machine kills Fascists."