March 14-15, 2019 Amboy to Shoshone, California

. We traveled on Route 66 through Amboy. We stopped at the Kelso Depot. It was for trains coming through Kelso years ago. The trains have stopped. The Union Pacific was going to tear down the depot but the local preservation people saved it. It is now part of Mojave National monument. The arches are the depot. John in the jail, During WWII Kaiser operated Vulcan Mine , for iron ore used for making steel to manufacture tanks and ships for the war. They loaded the iron ore on the train here. The Union Pacific and Kaiser set up temporary housing for workers here. The Kelso Depot and the grill inside. It is no longer used as a grill, there is a gift shop in it now. John wanted a milkshake which is why we stopped. But no milkshake. 

 When we got to Tecopa John still really wanted a shake . so he drove the bus down to China Ranch for a date shake. It is a narrow, windy, steep canyon down into the ranch, but we didn't meet anyone so it was ok. One of the cool geological features of China Ranch. The first time we  came down here in 2003 I climbed up and had my photo taken in the arch.
 

We are now parked at my sister's house in Shoshone. My sister Judy and her husband Laurie arrived right after we did. Judy D cooked us a lovely dinner. Before dinner we toasted our friends Rod and Mac who are usually here for this trip but could not make it this year.  Judy, Judy D, John and Laurie at dinner. Judy, Laurie, Judy D and John toasting.

The basket is progressing.  Sunset tonight. Not many clouds, it was a warm sunny day. 

Judy and Jill after dinner. I forgot to get a dinner shot. We went back to China Ranch today to hike with the Tecopa Hiking Club. 

My sister Judy showing off her solar sombrero. It has solar panels on the top and they charge a battery in the hat band that charges her phone and GPS when she is backpacking. The pond at China Ranch. 

Stop,  No vehicles past this point, hiking only. So we hiked. Desert gold, seed pod and phacelia. The THC in a canyon we hiked today. 

Tecopa Hiking club in the canyon we hiked today. Sue, Judy and Jill on the hike today. 

 Gila, evening primrose, gravel ghost and cool rock.  Judy  and Jill in the canyon today.  

Alison, Judy D in the canyon today.  Happy hour on Mojave street today. Robbie comes by every evening while he is running his dogs with his ATV.

 Robbie, Laurie and John heading out for a guys dinner. John sat in the back. 

While the men went out for a guys night out, us women had a wonderful dinner. Judy D made stuffed baked sweet potatoes, I warmed up pasta John made last night and Judy P made the salad. There was some wine involved too. . . Judy D, Judy P, Jill and Susan.