A bit further up Kelbaker Road: near mile 12, an oncoming pickup brakes and its driver shouts, "I love your web site!"

I'm surprised, to say the least, and have a great conversation with Brian, who has read my travelogues and shares my interest in visiting off-the-beaten-track areas of Mojave National Preserve. I hope he'll post some of his trip photos on the internet one day.

I need a lot of breaks today, and this is a perfect excuse for another one. It's a slow, hot day for me, and I'm not even halfway to Kelso Depot yet. I'd like to chat longer, but it's time to ride on.