9th day - 236 miles

I stayed last night in Chula Vista, a suburb of San Diego, just 10 minutes from the border to Mexico. Once I entered Border Field State Park, there were 2 helicopters above and Border Control Officers in their Jeeps dashing in and out. As I found out just a little bit later, the park is closed for vehicles during the week. Well I guess I must have missed that sign. True! I stick with that story - just as I told the unfriendly officers that stopped me. When they asked me what nationality I have, I answered truthfully - German. Their eyes lit up, as they must have thought that they got one (of those illegal immigrants). It didn't seem to make a difference to them that this would be the most unlikely place for a German to illegally cross the border. They stepped into action. And only after I produced my Green Card and Identification they started to relax. After I convinced them that I carried only camping equipment and clothes in my bags they let me go - just short of my goal to get to the MOST southern point. Oh well. The rest of the day was uneventful. First 120 miles of highway to get out of the metropolitan area around Los Angeles and than 130 miles through the desert again passing Edwards Air Force Base and all the other Air Force installation located in this most boring and flat desert valley. Not much photo opportunities. Tonight I'm staying in the foothills of  the Sierra and hope for a change in scenery.

No sign and the dirt road to the left gets me around to where I want to go...

Oops! Trouble is approaching.

A sympathetic State Park employee offered to take this photo.  Thanks!

Wild flowers in the park.

This has to serve as proof. 1 mile short of the very most southern point.

Pete, what kind of tree is this? Gorgeous purple flowers and no leaves.

8th day - 405 miles

Desert Day! Through the Mojave and Joshua Tree N.P. Man was it hot.  First I got stuck on the Highway out of Las Vegas for 40 miles. 2 hours only stop and go. Then finally off the Interstate into the Mojave Desert. As the road went down into the valley temperature rose to over 100 degrees - IN THE SHADE!! There is no shade. Period! After passing through the stunning desert vistas of Joshua tree I passed by the Salton Sea, a huge lake reservoir that turned very salty due to extreme evaporation.  It's so salty, that my eyes were tearing riding by it. Then up 3000 feet into the mountains and down towards San Diego. Beautiful ride at Sunset. As I got up in elevation the flora changed dramatically. Joshua trees changed into big leafy trees that I have never seen. Cactus into Cypresses that oozed a smell of vanilla and exotic spices. Oregano, Sage  and other herbal smells filled the air around me.  Maybe because the desert has no smell at all my senses were heightened.  Great experience!

Into the Mojave Desert National Preserve

Joshua Trees

Roy's Motel & Gas stop on historical Route 66

Roy's is the only service stop for 50 miles each way. A little overpriced but service (full service) was great.

This is proof that it always can get drier.  No matter what you think.

Salt flats.

This is how it's harvested. First they excavate a ditch. Than saltwater collects and evaporates. All that's left is the salt waiting for being scooped up.

Joshua Tree N.P.

Strange Rock Formations can be found throughout Joshua Tree.

Ocotillo Tree.

Get me off this Teddybear cholla. I thought it was as soft as me. (The name is really Teddybear cholla)

Flowering Ocotilla tree.

My favorite street sign.  Keep them coming.

The high country above San Diego at sunset.

7th day - Bike gets a break, and so do I.

Thanks Jenny!  This was a great weekend.

Lights in the Dessert.

The following pictures are for you Keith.

The new Aria Hotel in City Center.

The entrance.

Veer Towers. Stunning!

Crystals. A shopping center that makes you a little dizzy. Nothing is vertical. Everything is tilted. Orientation is quite difficult.

6th day - 100 miles

Easy day! Just going to Vegas to visit the National Park of Entertainment. Jenny is going to meet me for the Memorial Weekend. Can't wait!

Ok! That's a nice hotel. I hope it doesn't corrupt my standards for the rest of the trip.

5th day - 505 miles

This day was all about extreme changes in altitude, wind and temperature. Leaving the high Mesa I dipped more than 3000 feet in less than 15 miles. Going through the Colorado River Valley I rode for miles along side the steep and colorful Vermilion Cliff.  Going up into the Kaibab National Forest that surrounds the Grand Canyon the temperature changed quickly from 95 degrees to just above 40 degrees. The weather station on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon reported up to 60 mile wind gusts. Enough to almost flip the bike over at 55 mile speed of travel when I entered a high meadow from the shelter of the forest. Even though the Grand Canyon was just as impressive as I remembered it (the view of the North Rim is definitely worth the longer trip - versus the South Rim), the highlight of the day and probably the trip so far was Zion N.P. The pictures can't even come close to the scenery in this magical canyon. Skyscraper high cliffs in colors of deep red, white, yellow cliffs dotted with dark green Pines and flowering bushes... Go see it!! It's magical!

The Vermilion Cliff - Still far away

Yes - it's as hot as it looks.

The next pictures don't need any commentary...

Still in a good mood - and happy not to have been blown over..

Angel Point Vista - You're really right out in the canyon from this spot

Natures little accents

Yep! That's snow.

Remnants of the big forest fire in Grand Canyon N.P. last year.

Coming down from the Kaibab N.F. going towards Zion N.P.

This is an extreme wide angel shoot - The cliff is gigantic!

Look at those marks that are found throughout the canyon. Like a giant carved it out with a scraper.

Water still at work carving the canyon walls.

This peak itself would be a national landmark anywhere else.

Look at those tiny motorcycles (All Harley's) in respect to the cliffs.

The hole in the cliff is part off an unlit 1.5 mile long tunnel that opened the canyon in the 30's to through traffic.

Berry is speechless. Really!