Barstow/Calico KOA Yermo, California

Mileage:  51, 409

Today we reached the 13,000 mile mark…lots of driving and riding…but we still aren’t tired of seeing new places.

As we left Bakersfield we saw lots of empty lots with small oil rigs.

We also saw Medjool date trees.  The land is sun baked and starting to look like desert as we passed over the Telachapi Mountains.

We saw the Telachapi Wind Farm.  Thousands of windmills/turbines that produce enough megawatts to power 350,000 homes in California year round.  This wind farm is one of the greatest energy producers in the world.  Many turbines were still today but on average the wind blows here 14-20mph which is perfect for clean and renewable power production. There are many people who are opposed to wind farms because the are “unsightly.”  Is coal mining prettier???

Highway 58 is bisected by the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.

Today’s weather was 94 degrees and sunny.  It was hot but so much less oppressive than when it is in the 90’s at home.

We had only 2 options today.  We could camp in Barstow or continue for another 150 miles to Needles where the next campgrounds are located.  We chose to stop early.  We have had two consecutive long driving days.  We arrived at the campground by 11am.

Our view today.

A roadrunner in the campground.

Who lives in here?

I was able to do all the laundry and Tim was able to watch the NASCAR race.

We took a drive this afternoon. There is a ghost town called Calico which is the site of the silver  mines from the late 1800’s.  We contemplated a visit but decided not today.

We made grilled chicken and guacamole and sat outside watching the Ravens beat the Steelers.

The desert sunset was  amazing.

The stars were out tonight.  The desert sky was pretty!