Story and photographs
except as noted copyright 2006 by
Richard
Elgenson
A late lunch was performed at the Mad
Greek Restaurant in beautiful Baker, California, home of the world's
tallest thermometer. The schwarma was very good.
Temperature in Baker routinely exceeds 100
degrees in the summer, although this day was very pleasant. The
plan next called for a first time visit to Afton Canyon, route of the
Union Pacific after it exits the Mojave National Preserve. It is
possible to completely traverse Afton Canyon where visitors use
vehicles ranging from motorcycles to four-wheel drive. The drive
was a nice experience after Sunday afternoon gridlock on southbound
Interstate 15. One off-roader we asked for directions spoke of the
many colored canyons and rock formations. The Mojave River
flows mostly below the surface. However, some water flowed in
small rivulets across sandy areas in the canyon bottom. Union
Pacific maintenance of way crew passed us and said many trains
had gone through the canyon before we arrived. The canyon was
beautiful with the only sounds coming from two and four wheel vehicles.
Above and below, the first of
different sets of bridges across the
Mojave River. The track hugs the northerly bank most of the way
through the canyon.
Towards the end of the driveable
portion of the canyon, finally, an
eastbound train.
Below are views of the Kelso
Dunes. They are impressive from the
ground and look beautiful from the air. Aerial photograph
courtesy of Allen Heller.
Sunset over Kelso Dunes was quite
nice on this particular evening. Most of my sunsets include the
industrial Port of Long Beach or by the Belmont Veteran's Memorial
Pier. Trains could be heard rumbling by the newly reopened Kelso
Depot from the other side of the dunes.
