Sunday March 21, 2004
After some discussion on the topic of snoring, Sunday started with the breakfast that came with the room at the Best Western. We sat outside to eat so we could see the surroundings that were hidden by darkness at our arrival. Then we topped off the tanks and hit the road. In this area the distances between fuel require careful planning. We also picked up a couple bottles of water before heading into the desert. The entire trip had frequent stops for adjusting clothing since temperatures varied a great deal. Not far east of Twentynine Palms we stopped to shed layers as the sun became higher. Ed took pictures of desert flowers along the road.
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The first destination for the day was the shoe tree. Dave and Barry discovered this unique phenomenon last year returning to LA. Out in the middle of the desert was this tree beside the road loaded with shoes. We were disappointed to find that it had become more of a junk tree with no remaining signs of life. Across the road, along the railroad track, there was mile after mile of rock grafitti.
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Our next destination was a favorite book store in Quartzsite, AZ. We selected a route that took us through the Colorado River Indian Reservation. We crossed the Colorado River and were surprised how small it was. Apparently, much of the water had been diverted to the Los Angeles area or used for irrigation. We rode for miles past the C.R.I.T. Farms and they were an impresive operation.
The stop at Readers' Oasis didn't disappoint us. Paul Winer, the colorful proprietor, was on hand and shared some of his story with us.
The final destination for the day was the home of Dave's brother Mahlon and his wife Regina. They live on about four acres outside Congress, AZ.
We had pushed to arrive in time to join Mahlon and his family for the Sunday evening church service in Wickenburg at which Mahlon was scheduled to preach. Soon after we arrived, however, Mahlon told us that he had made a "horrible mistake". At the morning service, when he announced the evening service he was reminded that the evening service had been cancelled. Dave is starting to question whether Mahlon really does preach, since every attempt to hear him seems to have a similar outcome. It's always something. However, the "horrible mistake" did allow us to have a pleasant evening at their home. Friends Verdella and Teddy Lall were there with us through dinner.
Mahlon used to run the service component for the Whirlpool appliance dealer in Wickenburg. Last summer he bought the service business and now operates under the name of Desert Appliance Company. Regina handles the books. The youngest of their four children, Jason, is the only one pesently at home. The others are scattered about the US. Hershbergers raise goats. So we had a good time watching them and Jason showed the pony.
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The goats seemed to enjoy watching us as well.
Mahlon and his neighbor can't agree who owns this cactus, but they both enjoy it.
253 Miles for the day.