The London Bridge to Afton Canyon (16-17 NOV 13)

[MojaveMike]

So the family and I took some time out this weekend to drive to the London Bridge. The London Bridge as made famous by the children's rhyme was opened 1831 and would sink down about an inch every 8 years or so. The Bridge was sold to Robert McCulloch of McCulloch Oil in 1967 who made it his center piece for building the town of Lake Havasu, AZ. We had never been to Lake Havasu and it was worth the short drive off of I40 to get down there to see. We had a late lunch at a nearby restaurant overlooking the bridge and lake. We had a long 200 mile drive and after a stop for some food for in the morning we set off into the sunset westbound for the Mojave Preserve. As we made our way back into California a spectacular moon rise came up over the Colorado river valley and Needles. As night set in with the vast moonlit desertscape we headed north into the preserve. for our camping spot for the night near Aiken Mine. The night was mostly calm and cold. You could hear the jets and prop planes coming from miles away with the occasional lonely cry of a lone coyote in the distance. The sunrise was spectacular and quickly warmed up our frosted over tent. My wife and I put together a quick breakfast for the kids and packed up to continue our trek. We journeyed up the dusty desert road to the Aiken mine for a few pictures and then headed over to the nearby lava tube for a quick walk around. After hiking out of the lava tube we hit the mailbox and the frog shrine before making our way down to Kelbaker road and Baker to meet up with our friend for the drive back to Afton Canyon. All in all it was a great trip. The kids learned a little history and had a great time visiting the sights and natures wonders on the Mojave Preserve.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIdwo3H0f1c

1. The London Bridge

2. Sunset over the Needles

Orion

3. Early to rise

4. Good to be home

A couple of cave dwellers

5. Mailbox

6. Frog Parking Only All others will be TOAD

the little frog in front is our solar powered dancing frog from almost a year ago...too cool

7. Passing the time in Baker

8. Zzyzx

9. Heading back in

10.

11. Traveler's Monument

12. River Bridge

13. Got home so fast the dust didn't have time to settle HA!

Life is short, get out and live...

-MojaveMike

 

[bikerjosh]

Nice quick trip through some of the highlights of the "Mojave road trip". Curious if the frogs stay as opposed to the kettles in DV?

 

[MojaveMike]

Yeah, our frog has been there nearly a year. Hopefully our sign will last too.

 

[roverrocks]

Love the frog mountain and "toad" sign!! I've never been to the Mojave National Preserve. Maybe next spring.

 

[MojaveMike]

Love the frog mountain and "toad" sign!! I've never been to the Mojave National Preserve. Maybe next spring.

The Mojave Preserve and Road are a definate must do to any adventurer's bucket list.

 

[ChsBrgr]

Nice pics. Glad you explained the frog sign is new. I was sure it wasn't there two weeks ago.