I decided to put some fun into my trip to NAB convention in Las Vegas this year.....took the historic and famous "mojave road" 150miles offroad in 2 days thru the California desert.....solo.
Captured with My Nikon D4, Canon s100, iphone5 and some video with GoproHD
Started by buying a book....reading up on it....watching some videos on youtube.....
I bought a GARMIN 2595 at costco for $299.
Bought a TJM recovery kit to go with my winch I recently installed, a shovel, a 48' Hi-lift extreme w/offroad base, 2 Rotopax 2 gallon fuel cans all in preparation for the trip.
Since I have no roof rack yet.... I bought the expensive rotopax because Larry from Dirty parts, swore they do not smell up the cabin so I could carry them inside.
Guess what? he was 100% right....They sat full in my truck for 2 days until I used them. No fumes, no smell. Just like he said. They are awsome! Expensive.....but versatile and thin....can fit many places.....
I going to keep doing this until I find a better solution to mount them or get a roof rack.
I also bought a spare tie-rod.....and packed alot of food even more
WATER and plenty of tools.....especially all the tools to change a tie rod. Most important a big F Hammer. oh yeah duct tape and zip ties too!
I gave my GPS route coordinates to my stepdad so he would know where i should be in case I went missing or something....got a good nights sleep and .....
Left early morning.... leaving the LA and watching the sunrise over the California desert....
The official start of the "Mojave Road". Mile 0. Where pavement turns into dirt. (going west to east). Harvard road exit....
I think I'm lost......already....stupid GPS didn't want to go into offroad mode.....argh....
Okay....I found the "wash" for the mojave river....this is technically the trail a few mins later my gps decided to finally go into offroad mode.
The road to Afton Canyon campground. Finding my way
Beautiful day in the desert....this must be the best time of year to do this trip...not hot, not cold.....just perfect.
Crossing the Mojave river....thankfully it was low.
...another Crossing of the Mojave River...a few miles later.
Union Pacific, couldn't of timed it better!
Following the train tracks ....
Came across this deer having a drink in the river.....by the time I grabbed the camera he started to run. SO much life out there this time of year.
Got a bit lost in the Dunes....so I climbed up to the top of one and took a look around.....there is a house out there... crazy......who lives out here??
hahaha......having some fun in the dry lake bed! Always wanted to do this!!
No front swaybar...so the car got a bit leaned over and just then I decided to stop being an idiot....seeing as I was flying solo.
Rocky section before "soda lake"
These rock piles are called "Cairns" which is a Irish work for.....a pile of rocks! They have been put up over the years to act as a guide to travelers...always on your left side (if traveling west to east). This is what you did before GPS!!
Woohoo!! ZZyZx rd!!!
Reached the border of the Mojave Natural preserve area. Right before you get to Soda lake.
Reached the famous "Travelers Monument". Legend has it that when you start your journey you have to pick up a rock...once you get to the monument you add your rock to the pile and make a wish. Once completing you journey safely you wish will come true. naturally I added a few and made my wishes! Also there is a sign there meant just for travelers.
