I normally reserve my trips to Phoenix for cooler times but once in a while a summer run through the desert isn’t all bad. As always, I try to find a route that keeps me off the freeway – even though it takes a little longer, it makes the ride much more enjoyable.
My ride to Phoenix starts in Thousand Oaks and goes through Acton, Apple Valley, 29 Palms, then into Arizona at Parker, and up to Wickenburg before heading over to my Mom & Dad’s house in Peoria. Between 29 Palms and Phoenix there is almost nobody else on the road and if you want, you can grab a fist full of throttle and make it a high speed desert run. I stuck a little closer to the speed limit but I was still moving right along. I did stop to take a few pictures along the way this time through, something I’ve been wanting to do.
Joshua tree outside of Yucca Valley, CA.
The Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) was named by a group of Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century. The tree’s unique shape reminded them of a Biblical story in which Joshua reaches his hands up to the sky in prayer. Joshua trees are fast growers for the desert; it has a top-heavy branch system, but also has what has been described as a “deep and extensive” root system, with roots reaching up to 36 ft away. It can live for hundreds of years with some specimens surviving up to a thousand years. The tallest trees reach about 50 ft. Once they bloom, the trees are pollinated by the yucca moth, which spreads pollen while laying her eggs inside the flower. The moth larvae feed on the seeds of the tree, but enough seeds are left behind to produce more trees.
Chocolate Mountains – East of 29 Palms (hwy 62)
Mountains in the desert; when you’re eastbound on Interstate 10, just past Indio you make that big climb up to Chiriaco Summit you are going up the west side of the Chocolate Mountains, then it’s a gradual descent all the way to Blythe. Hwy 62 is about 25 miles north and runs roughly parallel to Interstate 10; much more scenic – but still HOT. It’s difficult to tell in the pictures but it’s hot enough that you really want to keep moving.
This is just about as green as the desert ever gets.
The Arizona desert looks a little different than the California desert, and it did a pretty good job of sucking up the water from the recent monsoon rains. I sure would have liked to have been here when it started raining – the desert has a very unique smell when it starts raining. It doesn’t look like this very often or for very long.
Teddy Bear Choilla Cactus (Jumping Cactus) – Stay Away!!
These little beauties are not to be trifled with. Called “jumping cactus” because they seem to jump out and stick you – they don’t really jump. The connections between the cactus stems is easily broken; the slightest touch will leave you wondering how to remove one of these nasty thorn covered segments without getting stuck a whole lot worse in the process. I can tell you from personal experience – it ain’t easy and it hurts – A LOT.
Sadly, the reason for my desert run is to attend the memorial services for my only uncle. My father’s brother, Jackie was a great guy. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by everyone that knew him. Jackie loved the outdoors and spent as much time as he could either hunting, fishing, or on a motorcycle. His passion was fishing though, and he must have caught well over a thousand bass in his life. Many of his friends shared some very nice stories at his memorial and the reception that followed. Jackie enjoyed making other people laugh, and wasn’t above a little practical joke every now and then to make it happen. Jackie’s laugh was unique and infections. On the way out of the memorial they played, “Happy trails to you, until we meet again….”, I could hear my uncle laughing about that and it made me smile. I completely agree with the philosophy on death and dying printed on the inside cover of the memorial pamphlets at Jackie’s services. You can check that out here if you’re interested.
Angostura Lake in Mexico – fishing out of my old Champion boat.
Astride John’s Harley at PopPop’s house (Jackie’s father) at either Christmas or Thanksgiving.
I don’t like the heat that goes along with the desert but I grew up in this environment and it’s home to me and and it never looks better than when it’s all green. I enjoyed hunting and fishing with my uncle but he and I never did get to go on a bike ride together. On my way back to California I took the same route I took on the way out and it really seemed to me that my uncle was riding right there beside me.
Between Lake Pleasant and Wickenburg – going home with Jackie.
The ride back wasn’t nearly as hot as it was on the way out. When I left my parent’s house I was thinking I would make my way down to the Interstate, but I was enjoying the ride so much that I just couldn’t spoil it by getting on the slab.
Highway 60 east of Wickenburg, Arizona.
With the wind at our backs and the road to ourselves, Uncle Jackie and I enjoyed the back roads all the way back to Thousand Oaks. I’ll miss my uncle but I’m really looking forward to having his spirit with me for the rest of my days….
Glad to see the bike got fixed. (Warranty?)
Sorry shakedown cruise was for what sounds like a great loss.
Very nice…great pictures and descriptions. Sorry about your Uncle, glad you finally got your ride with your Uncle…