The Mojave Preserve and Aliens

Good Morning everyone.  It is that time of week again, time for my next entry into my adventure Blog.  This week will be from my Trip to California and Las Vegas in January.  On our way to Ontario for the reason for our trip (a party for a couple of good friends), Lori P, Buddy and I drove through the Mojave National Preserve (a small part of the Mojave Desert), stopped in Baker for some Alien Jerky, made an unexpected stop in Barstow to visit Harvey and his house, then onto Ontario we went.

After leaving Vegas and stopping in Primm for a wonderful Waffle at the International House of Waffles, we hit the road and fun for the Mojave National Preserve.  We entered the Preserve from the Cima Road off I-15.  The drive was quite unique.  This road through the Preserve is surrounded by Joshua Trees, actually the Mojave has the largest Joshua Tree Forest in the Nation.  Joshua Tree National Park is south of the Preserve off I-40, it has the second largest Forest in the Nation.  I have never seen a Joshua Tree, so I found them to be rather interesting.  Coming from the Northeast, where Pines, conifers and Oaks are abound plenty, the Southwests idea of a forest is shocking.

Joshua Trees from the Car

This is a Forest???

Buddy visiting the Forest

We stopped a couple times on our way to the Kelso Depot (the main visitor center).  One of our stops was at the Mojave Cross, dedicated to all those that gave their lives for the nation during war.

Cross Marker

The Mojave Cross

The Mojave Cross

Along the road, we did see some wildlife, a little too fast for me to get pictures of, but we had a good joke over it.  First we saw a Jackrabbit, which I immediately called a Jack-a-lope.  Then a little down the road we were crossed by a Desert Mouse, so I decided it was a mouse-a-lope.

When we turned from the Cima Road, onto the Kelso Cima Road, we started marking time with several Union Pacific Trains.  (Hey fans of AMC's Hell on Wheels, these are part of the tracks that they are building in the show).  The views were amazing, this is really a beautiful, but barren desert.

Marl Mountains in the distance

The desert

More of the Desert

A Union Pacific Train

Upon arriving at the Kelso Depot, you can see the remnants of a little town.  The Depot has a small cafe counter (probably open in the summer), a film about the Preserve, shows how active this was during the War (WWI, that is).  There is a small jail, an old Post Office Building, and the remains of an old house.  This Depot was literally in the middle of now where, but was essential in moving goods and supplies for the Troops during World War I.

Dual Water Towers

The old Post Office

The Jail

Side view of Depot

Kelso Sign

The front of the Depot

My father would have loved this

Lunch/Cafe Counter

Old House

 Inside the Depot there is also a small museum for some of the animals, activities and attractions in the Mojave. This is definitely worth the stop and take your time. 

Train office

steamer trunk

ticket window

We continued our venture on the Kelso Cima Road toward the Kelbaker Road.  About 15 miles up on the right from the Depot are the Cinder Cone Lava Beds.  Yes I said Lava Beds, as in volcanoes.  These were breathtaking, and it was here, that we came across the illusive dead Squirrel-a-lope.  Very rare, very rare indeed.  Yes the a-lope thing continues, I do have a childish sense of humor at times.  The difference in the terrain between the three roads is amazing.  We are not really that far away from either road, but the views changed drastically.

The Kelso Mountains

Cinder Cone Lava Beds

Cinder Cones

Lava Bed and Cones

Lava Bed & Cones

Lava Beds

Lava and mountains

We left the Preserve near Baker, CA, but we unable to checkout the southern area where the sand dunes are vast and many.  This park offers a small campground at Hole-in-the-Wall, aptly named for the various holes in the sides of the canyon walls.  There are many things for outdoorsy types to do.  The dunes are actually to the south of the depot, so if you are adventurous, take a left, not a right (like we did).

The entrance sign

Buddy on a Joshua Tree on the Entrance Sign

After leaving the Preserve, we stopped in Baker.  This is a cute little town, basically it is the gateway to the Mojave National Preserve and the Death Valley National Park.  In Baker, you will find a Greek restaurant (including columns and alabaster statues), a gas station and the Alien Jerky store.  Don't worry I don't think the jerky is made from Aliens.  The Jerky comes in many different flavors, and everyone I tried, I liked.

Alien Fresh Jerky, YUM!!

From here, we headed toward lunch.  Barstow, CA here we come.  While we were looking for a place to eat, we passed a sign that mentioned the Harvey House.  OK, Mom is a huge fan of old movies, and one these old movies features Judy Garland playing a Harvey Girl, so off to the train station we went looking for the Harvey House.  Well, Lori and I have traveled a lot, and we were ready to tour the House and enjoy the view.

If you like old trains this is the place to stop, but I don't recommend doing anything but stopping and taking pictures.  We walked in to the museum to look around and were only greeted as we went to leave.  There were three employees inside holding a private conversation, didn't acknowledge us when we walked in, never offered to help us or ask if we needed anything.  Apparently they were too busy with each other.  There are a couple other Harvey Houses in the nation, try one of those.

An Engine Graveyard

The Union Pacific

Barstow Train Station

The Harvey Girls

Barstow Train Station, the Harvey House is the second floor

Harvey House

Our trip to Ontario was amazing, with one small downside.  For more information on any of these sites, please visit the following:
http://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm
http://www.alienfreshjerky.com/
http://www.harveyhouses.net/

Next time I am going to give you all a little information on the Allegheny Portage Railroad, Punxsutawney, PA, the famous Horseshoe Curve, and the Flight 93 National Memorial.  Until next time, remember to have safe travels, enjoy life and get you bucket list checked off.