Day 76:
Left Laughlin early after a morning walk along the river and a breakfast at McDonalds. Much more expensive than the casino breakfasts, but better for us.
California was just to the south of us by a few minutes, and soon we were in Needles, CA, on US 95. Continued on that highway south, heading for Blythe, CA, a couple of hours away. US 95 passes through high desert country to the south, but I 40 was heading west but not where we wanted to go. We needed to get to I 10 West, and that passes through Blythe so that's where we went, south through the desert.
After being on the big interstate for the last few days, the little two-lane US 95 was a jolt. Literally, the road is rough, undulating, pock-marked, and speed-limited to 55 mph, 'enforced by radar'. For over half the way from Needles to Blythe the road is in the desert valley, between jagged hills at the eastern and southern fringes of the Mohave. Not a place to be stuck or broken down or in an accident. We had a full tank of gas, lots of water, food if necessary, so we were in good shape and ready for the adventure.
And, what the hell, it is mid-November and not mid-August. Another cloudless sky, in shades of almost blue-black to light blue as the day shifted from early morning toward noon. Bright sun, blinding at low angles, otherwise brilliant and hot. Windows down, 100 kph, down the road with Jan snapping pictures like a mad thing. Getting grumpy from time to time when a sudden motion of the car would wreck her picture, but she would get another one as the scenery is in the distance and doesn't change very quickly. She is the very best travel companion possible, and a hell of a navigator.
Almost before we knew it we were nearly through our journey, driving close by the Colorado River toward Blythe 20 miles away. Now the phrase 'just add water' makes total sense, the vegetation to our left, near the river, is lush and green. A variety of crops, including hay, with palm trees abundant. Just add water, and California could feed the world. Where will they get the water they need for this project? Hmmm. I wonder.
After a coffee stop at Blythe, a right turn and off toward Palm Desert, near Palm Springs and Indio, to visit friends for the evening. Exited I 10 at Hal's urging, up Cook Street, a brief stop to pick up wine and beer at Ralph's, then on to the gated community that is home to our friends for the past couple of weeks, and our home for the night. The GPS is perfect at times like this. Tomorrow, into the traffic Zoo, Los Angeles.
