Charging batteries on the Mojave Road

[mkitchen]

The batteries in the Toyota are fine and the batteries in the trailer are fine but mine and Mo's were sorely in need of a re-charge. We have not been out on an overnighter since Thanksgiving and we had to get out of town for a while. I had to work one of my weekend days last weekend and since overtime is a big no no, I got to take off this Friday as well as my normal weekend. So off we went to do the Mojave Road, east to west.

We left Kingman AZ at a little after 3:00 pm and we were in Bullhead city a little after 4:00. A quick stop at Humberto's for some burritos and over the river to the Avi and the start of the trail.

The reservation's version of a road site rest stop. The table was from a wire spool and the seats were from worn out disk blades with backs welded on. Not a bad idea and they certainly will hold up for a long time.

After the res, we crossed over Needles Highway and then across some more desert till we hit Highway 95. From this point we were free from signs of pavement for some time (just what we wanted). Just a bit of a side note but we do a lot of our travels on a solo basis. Mo and I know that it is not too smart to travel alone but we enjoy being out on our own and being responsible for just ourselves and the three stooges. We get to stop when we want and take off on a walk or hike if the desire hits us. I am not recommending this type of travel but it is what we enjoy. We also enjoy our comforts hense the AT trailer that seems to follow us to most places.

We found a nice spot to camp right at the base of Jedidiah Smith knoll. We had a great view of the valley to the east of us and could even make out the highway by the vehicle lights but they did not overwelm. The stars did impress us though. Twas a good night for star gazing. Just a couple of shots before it got too dark for pics.

The next morning we headed up to Paiute Springs and toured around the springs and the fort that was there almost 150 years ago. I don't believe that this post was a highly sought after location. Shortly after it was built, the mail route that it was defending, was re-located further south and the fort was decomissioned. Like all who live in the desert, Mo and I are attracted to green and paiute springs provided a lot of green. At least a lot of green for the Mojave desert.

There was a lot of pictographs on the rocks around the spring. The drawings here are significantly different than those we have seen in our travels in Arizona. Still very interesting though. Anywhere indians gathered they tended to draw. Some say to leave messages but I believe that they also just enjoyed expressing themselves. Possibly both, eh?

I guess that living in the Mohave desert (yeh, in Arizona we spell it with an H), I have a problem getting too excited by vast desert and to be honest, I believe that there are more scenic areas here in my home area. The history is what makes this route so very interesting to me. As I travel across in a comfortable vehicle, I think of those who have come across on a horse or team and wagon, worrying about every waterhole along the way. The great adventurers of earlier times impress me greatly.

I guess it wouldn't be a journal account of the Mojave road without the bus photo included. Actually I can remember Mo and I living in a bus that was about the same size and not too much newer than this one. Mine was a 53 and I am thinking this one is a 46/47. Ah, but that is another story for another time.

 

[mkitchen]

Charging batteries on the Mojave road, part II

A bit of a sidebar here: When I bought my AT, Mario suggested putting brakes on it. I had a hard time believing that a trailer that small would need brakes. Mario, thank you. I am glad that I had brakes when I came down this hill. There is a name for it but I don't remember what it is, but it is somewhat steep and the path is all dug up from people spinning out as they climb up. So even though the pictures don't do it justice, it was a thrill coming down and the base was very slippery (Mo fell just trying to stand on it). Without being able to control the trailer wheels, it would have pushed the Tacoma right down the hill. I am older now and enjoy having some control. Again, thanks Mario, good advice. That is another thing that I have learned is to listen to folks who know more than I do and in my case that is most folks.

Another nice thing about the trailer; time for lunch, no shade, in less than five minutes we have the awning up and shade to relax under. Again in years prior, I would have just sat in the cab or up against a tire, but I am liking my old guy comforts. And no, I will not be buying an RV.

After lunch we hiked around Rock Springs. Older pics show vehicles right at the mouth of the spring but it is now wilderness. Respecting that, we walked up to the springs and then took the loop trail. Highly recommended, a short trail with lots of views.

As I said earlier, a fellow has to look pretty hard to find color in the Mojave. These flowers were less than an inch high but they seemed happy in their environment and we were certainly happy to enjoy them. we also saw some cholla that are different than the few we have in our area of the Mohave and some that I believe are called Claret cactus, that again, we do not have here.

It looks like someone just replaced the flag. The last pictures that I saw, it was a bit tattered so we brought one out but some patriotic fellow beat us to it. I really enjoyed reading some of the posts in the book. It appears that April 17, was a busy day for the trail. Who ever put up the mailbox, my hat is off to you. What a great idea!

The heat was getting to us and we got to the Kelbaker road and headed out. We have already been on the bit west of there from the west end to the monument on Soda Lake. I like to set up camp with time to spare and with the heat and no shade, we decided to call it a trip at that point. I am glad that we got to see all of the road but I don't believe that I will go back. Too many other places to go and see. I am impressed with the quality of the route guide by Casebier and the club that maintains the road does a very good job. That has to be a taxing job. So many behind the scenes folks do so much for everyone else and we need to keep them in mind when travelling.
Mikey

 

[DGarman]

Good write-up and photos. Thanks!

Dennis

 

[4x4x4doors]

Looks like a great trip. Thanks for sharing. The differences across this country never cease to amaze me. In our end of the continent, it seems everything is green so a dirt road is a major contrast in color.

I am impressed with the quality of the route guide by Casebier and the club that maintains the road does a very good job. That has to be a taxing job. So many behind the scenes folks do so much for everyone else and we need to keep them in mind when travelling.
Mikey

There's a group (lots of groups across the country) that deserves a lot more appreciation than they often get.
No problem getting publicity for the ones who drop the trash and tear things up but hard to get notice for the ones who swoop in on their weekend and do untold hours of labor and tons of hauling to keep it nicer for the rest of us.

 

[1leglance]

Great trip report and nice to see you out recharging the batteries
My son & I loved the Mojave Road and I know we will be back to run it again.

Good job capturing the little color there is out there and a bit of history also.

 

[mkitchen]

Hey thanks for the kudos.

So Dennis, am I to understand by the R.I.P. that the 72 F 250 is no longer? I have a 71 F 250 and love it to pieces. It would be hard to have two older project vehicles though and I can see where a Bronco would offer more room and a shorter wheelbase.


I do think about the folks that take care of the trails and admire them for all the work they do. Our club has an adopted trail that we just put in two kiosks and each year we go up the whats left of the mansion that is in the middle of the trail and clean and paint it. But our work pales to what it must be like to take care of a route as long as the Mojave Road.

Lance, let me know if you plan a trip back (Maybe a candidate for an Old Iron Run?). I may be talked into doing it again, though I hope that the temps will be below the 90's when we do it. I can't believe that the folks who did it just a week before, hit snow and rain and we had temps in the mid 90's. A typical Mohave spring of about 48 hours. Kind of hard to plan for the little window of time.
Mikey

 

[DGarman]

So Dennis, am I to understand by the R.I.P. that the 72 F 250 is no longer? I have a 71 F 250 and love it to pieces. It would be hard to have two older project vehicles though and I can see where a Bronco would offer more room and a shorter wheelbase.

Mikey -

Yes, Buck and I had a rollover incident a couple of years ago. He was pretty much totaled, but my passenger and I walked away from it unhurt. I love the old "bumpsides"! Ruff is working out well too for both off-roading and camping. I can't say that I like one better than the other . . . . one truck's strength is the other truck's weakness, and vice-versa. I also agree with you on "one project at a time"!

Thanks again for the good trip report!

Dennis