After indulging in Las Vegas it was time to jump back on the bikes. The plan was to stay with a fellow ADV rider near Palm Desert to get the bikes ready for crossing into Mexico.
Heading south through the Mojave Desert clouds were pulling up and a storm was forming in the distance. It didn’t seem too threatening and we decided to ride on fast to avoid the storm. A few miles down the road though heavy rain set in and within minutes water started gushing over the road all around us. The newly formed rivers washed lots of rocks and mud onto the road. We pressed on crashing through the water and having lots of fun – our first river crossings! Later on checking our mobiles we had received a weather warning for flash floods in the area..oops! The night was spent camping out in the Joshua Tree National Park in between some impressive rock formations in the desert (White Tank campsite) – amazing place!
In the morning as soon as the sun had risen it was already boiling again. The plan was to visit the Salton Sea. This lake was accidentally created by engineers trying to increase water flow for farming in the area. Creating a huge overflow of the Colorado River, the lack of drainage formed the Salton Sea. For several years in the 50ties a resort area was established, until due to increasing salinity and pollution the lake turned bad, washing up big quantities of dead fish to the beach. The resort area was deserted and the abandoned structures can still be visited. Due to the extreme heat though, we had to turn around just as we got a glimpse of Salton Sea in the distance.
Steaming hot, with our motorcycle clothes sticking to our bodies we arrived in Palm Desert and were welcomed into our fellow riders home with some cool beers and air conditioning waiting for us! Over the next few days, time was spent on motorcycle maintenance, meeting up with local adventure riders and being invited out to friends and lots of great dining in the area. Thanks so much to Dave and Kristy for your hospitality!
