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I'm irreversibly awake and sweating as soon the hot sun rises around 6h; by 7h, I'm outside taking a "dry shower"
This morning's luxury is that I have extra water to splurge on non-essentials like rinsing yesterday's salt, sweat and sunscreen off my face and arms. The gravelly earth has almost cooled down from yesterday; it holds heat, holds cold.
Date: May 25, 2009, 07h06
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By 9h, the contents of my campsite on Cornfield Spring Road has been decisively packed into my bloated saddlebags
I've eaten my usual dry camp breakfast with hot tea and am pretty much ready to leave. One final glance around to make sure that I'm not leaving anything here...
Date: May 25, 2009, 08h56
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I start the two-mile trek down Cornfield Spring Road toward Kelso Depot
The small rocks on Cornfield Spring Road make for a rough ride. My bike has decent front suspension, but with the heavy load of food and supplies that I'm carrying, I prefer to walk the 10-bike slowly down some of the gentle downhill here.
Date: May 25, 2009, 09h10
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Looking behind me up Cornfield Spring Road toward Providence Mountains as I ride down the rough road to Kelso Depot
I still want to check out Cornfield Spring, maybe next year... Right now I just want to escape the valley heat and am looking forward to reaching Mid Hills campground later today, 3400 feet higher.
Date: May 25, 2009, 09h31
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I pass an ant hill on Cornfield Spring Road
I always try not to camp too close to these, but I did have a few ants crawling around in my tent yesterday despite my efforts.
Date: May 25, 2009, 09h33
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Dead tree along Cornfield Spring Road near Kelso Depot, with Kelso Dunes in the background
This tree probably died decades ago. Since no trees grow naturally in this area without supplementary water, this must be a relic of an old homestead or some other installation.
Date: May 25, 2009, 09h40
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My tires hiss gently as I ride through the sand at the bottom of Cornfield Road toward Kelso Depot
Ahead of me are my bicycle tracks from yesterday and the day before.
Date: May 25, 2009, 09h41
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Just before Kelso Depot and the train tracks, I cross Kelso's back street where sit a few inhabited houses
The Mid Hills, my destination today, lie straight ahead in the distance. The two tiny visible peaks are probably the Eagle Rocks formation near the Mid Hills campground.
Date: May 25, 2009, 09h44
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Next to Kelso Depot is an old metal structure that was formerly used as Kelso's jail!
It's a bit more like a cage for a big wild animal, but maybe that's intended (and appropriate).
Date: May 25, 2009, 09h56
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I take a one-hour break and cool down in Kelso Depot's air conditioning before starting the climb up to Mid Hills campground
I chat a lot with the owner of "The Beanery" and drink some of his ice-cold homemade tea, and a couple of cans of Coke for the buzz that I'll need to make it up to Mid Hills in the heat. Oh, and two bags of potato chips too for some extra salt.
Date: May 25, 2009, 10h42
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Downstairs in Kelso Depot is a model that shows how Kelso was back in the 1940s
I meant to take a photo of this when I was here yesterday, but somehow forgot to do so. Heat-induced senility.
Date: May 25, 2009, 10h49
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Also downstairs at Kelso Depot is a gallery featuring work from a new artist-in-residence program by photographer Bob Killen
Really nice work, dramatic, and shows a strong personal vision, despite but the slick commercial edge. I chatted briefly with one of the people who organizes this art-in-residence program back in the Wills Fargo Motel parking lot in Baker on day one.
Date: May 25, 2009, 10h50
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It's already 84 degrees and I've cooled down as much as I can in Kelso Depot's air conditioning; it's time to ride on!
Before leaving, I fill my water supply for the day (four 1.5-litre bottles and my two-litre Camelbak) from the utility closet in Kelso Depot's basement, thanks to the rangers on duty.
Date: May 25, 2009, 10h58
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I'm officially on my way to Mid Hills now as I leave Kelso Depot and head north on Kelso-Cima Road
I pass a few abandoned buildings as I begin the gentle 14-mile trek up Kelso-Cima to 3700 feet from here at 2125 feet. I seem to have the usual south tailwind here, which should help.
Date: May 25, 2009, 11h06
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I pass my favourite old house in Kelso, the one with the rounded roof and the cabin in the backyard built of railway ties
I'm not stopping here today, but I did stop here during my 2006 Mojave National Preserve trip to take photos of this old house in Kelso.
Date: May 25, 2009, 11h07
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Kelso-Cima Road isn't too busy, but traffic is fast and there's no paved shoulder, so cars have to change lanes to pass me
An oncoming motorcyclist and I wave to each other as fellow two-wheeled brethern often do in the desert. I don't "get" intentionally loud motorcycles, but I share with the rest of them a certain minimalist outdoorsiness.
Date: May 25, 2009, 11h11
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Datura flowers along Kelso-Cima Road
I keep saying that I will plant one of these poisonous (nightshade family) drought-tolerant plants in my garden in San José, but haven't done so yet.
Date: May 25, 2009, 11h27
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Globe Mine Road; I camped three nights up this road on my 2008 trip
I camped near the end of the middle fork of Globe Mine Road, but the north fork leads much higher up into the majestic Providence Mountains; added to my list of possible future...
Date: May 25, 2009, 11h32
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