Up early and got ready to set out for a couple of miles on I-10, then finally on Rt62 heading north to 29Palms. In planning this trip, the 2 pieces that caused the most problems were: getting up the Ortega Highway, and the 9 miles from Cabazon to Rt62. But, seems all that is behind us now. We talked for a few minutes with the rest area attendant, then headed up the ramp to get on I-10. When, here comes the highway patrol and pulls us off to the side. "Why are you guys walking on the interstate, that's not allowed?" I showed him the card from the other cop who said we could. "You must have misunderstood him, because you can't."
Anyhow, he checked our IDs, told us we would have to get off, and showed us another road that runs to Whitewater. We lifted our cart and supplies over the fence, got on the other road , and headed out. Although this was a harder walk because of hills and dirt road, I had already mapped it out because thought we might have to use it. Got to Whitewater, rested a few minutes, and headed up the hill to RT62.
Couple things about Whitewater: there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of these windmills out here on the hills. Seems there is always a wind blowing, so a good use of the land I suppose. Also, Whitewater had a small creek flowing thru it, and this is the first surface water we have seen for a while.
With directions in hand, we started out on the worst travel day to date. The alternate route had no marked roads, and many of them had locked gates. We wandered around and finally found a road that appeared to run all the way to rt. 62......plus it was downhill. Turns out it also had a surface of about 6-8 inches of sand. We pushed harder going downhill than any uphill so far. Finally reached pavement, and sat down for a rest. Noticed a construction crew nearby, and decided to see if I could buy a soda. They gave us 2 warm Shasta colas, and even Alan seemed to appreciate that. He's usually good with just water. We finally made rt62, and turned north to the "high" desert.
The next 10 miles were the worst of the trip so far. Hot, over 100, uphill, plus we were already tired from pushing thru the sand. We finally found another creek running under the road, and stopped there for a rest. We took off our shoes, put our feet in the water, and both of us were asleep within minutes. Also put the water from our cart in the creek to cool it. The rest of the trip was just as bad or worse.......lots of traffic because of Labor Day. As we neared the top, Alan pulled ahead of me and I asked him to have me a Gatorade waiting in Morongo Valley. I finally struggled over the crest, and soon was sipping on Gatorade. Just an awful day.
But, nothing is ever all bad. After we had rested in the shade at Circle K for a while, this nice women who worked there, Phyllis, came out and told us to come in and fix us a couple of hot dogs and a drink........free of charge. Well we did, and soon were stuffed with hot dogs and soda. Every time after that we went inside for something, she'd say, "it's already paid for." Her co-worker Brandon was equally helpful.
We still didn't have a place to camp for the nite. Alan met a women also from London, who suggested we stay at a public park just down the street. It was getting dark, so we took her suggestion, and went down there. On the way met a nice group of guy at the Morongo Fire Station, all I believe who lived in LA and commuted there. Chatted with them for a while, and went to the park.
Soon had our tents up, and settled down for a good rest after a terrible day.
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