Spark-Plug/Jaywalker72: Route 66 Part XIII

Hi there

It was another sunny day to ride .As fas as I was concerned, I was loving this weather, warm ,bright and sunny.However as the day progressed few riders were having a problem of heat and sun.Today we had to ride through the Mojave desert's Joshua tree national Park.

Richard in morning brief, had warned of rain enroute and said if it starts raining heavily we will skip ride through the Joshua tree national park.But God was kind and it did not rain at all.

The Joshua Tree National Park is a vast protected area in southern California. It's characterized by rugged rock formations and stark desert landscapes. Named for the region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert.

As we were riding in the desert suddenly we saw a drone which was flying through us someone was trying to take shots of moving bikes,but this scared many of us as the drone was flying at wind screen level.

If there is heaven than this is the place ,such was the view of the Mojave desert.It is similar to our desert of Rajasthan ,accept it is covered with Joshua trees & cactus.It has no sand dunes but huge rocky out crops.There was absolutely no traffic and we could constantly hear the loud noise of our bike.

It was time for a short break and this time we took break at the historical Kelso depot railway station.At one time this was important railway station used for watering of railway engines .The original building has been preserved and the railway station has been turned into a tourist attraction the railway station is still in use.

The original station

Mojave as seen from Kelso depot

By this time both sun and heat had become unbearable,and we were looking for a break. This welcome break was at Roy's motel ,Amboy .Roy's is one of the most iconic attraction on route 66 due to its appearance in many hollywood movies.

Amboy was a mining city,as well as a site of volcanic crater.It was owned by Roy Crowl. In 1938 he opened the Roy's and it expanded its business by 1940.In 1959 the above famous road sign was put up.With decline of route 66 ,the town changed hands many times,facing challenges including access to water ,gas and electricity. In 2005 the town was listed on ebay for 1.9 million and it went unsold!!!!

However the new owners of Roy's began a systematic revival and today it has again become an iconic attraction.

The model on above ad is owner's daughter

The next halt was at the famous bottle tree ranch.Elmer Long as a kid use to travel on the route 66.During his journey he collected many artifacts,also his father left him a large collection of bottles.In 2000 the bottle tree ranch was born,and today there are 200 bottle trees.

Papa Peter

By the time we reached the hotel it was late afternoon .Richard asked us to be at the dinning hall by 1800h. This was our last dinner together as a group and also our last day with the bikes.

Before we sat down for the dinner each of us was presented with tour badge,a group photo along with completion certificate.Also few of us won certain memorabilia,like I won an route 66 plate this was gifted to us by Richard.After presentation by Richard.It was turn of Alberto he gave an emotional speech translated by hotel staff and gifted a small Argentina flag to Richard and all the three amigos had moist eyes .

The evening was full of fun,however all of us looked forward to big day that is the day we will reach Santa Monica pier.