Mojave National Preserve

Despite only spending a day here we are suitably impressed with Mojave N P.  However, it's been a LONG new years day, Kay, my usually trusty blog co-author, is now asleep next to me, and I'm a little lost for words, therefore I am going to cheat by making this a picture-blog.

Before I do that, here is the top quote, and it's from Mae, at the end of a dusty day where she's been asking to dress up for a couple of days now:  "Can I be a princess now?"  (how could we refuse?)

Photos:

- Kelso sand dunes (just behind the oddly located 25 mph sign) is made up of sand from ancient local lake beds.  Apparently dune fields like this are called Ergs - a name that, to me at least, is almost as strange as the fact that dunes are formed by aeolian process, or by the winds ability to shape the Earth's surface:

- The Union Pacific railroad runs through Mojave.  The boys were very impressed when one driver delivered us a fine 'baaaarrrp' of his horn and a friendly wave:  

- I find abandoned buildings interesting, especially when there are chairs on the porch, so Kelso ghost town was a treat:

- It is important to practice Jedi maneuvers during travel breaks:

- We decided we liked Joshua trees:

- A lot...

- Including the leaves that drop off them:

- Here's another photo.  Did I say we liked Joshua trees?  Learnt a few things about these trees from 'wiki' today:  (1) They only grow between 2000 and 6000 feet.  (2) The trunks of Joshua trees are made of tiny fibers and don't have growth rings so it's difficult to determine their age, but it is believed they can live for up to 1000 years.  (3) Cahuilla Native Americans used to make sandals and baskets from the leaves and eat the seed and fruit.  (4) Climate change threatens their existence because, let's face it, they can't run off to cooler climes...  

- Interesting desert fauna:

- The view west as we leave the park is impressive:

- As are some of the road names on I-15:

- We complete our journey from Needles, through Mojave N P and to a town called Mojave (that could be twinned with Needles) by meeting up with Sue and Dar for a slap-up meal in the Cafe 58, imaginatively named after the local highway.  We end our evening with a movie and a nice cup of tea before seeing them off on their own vacation!

Hope you are having a fine new years day - wherever you are!